Manila
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. FNF Philippines focuses on open and digital society, as well as a social market economy. It is also involved in the creation of innovative tools. FNF Philippines team works with local organization partners such as Center for Liberalism and Democracy, Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines, Rappler, Philippine Economic Society, and Impact Leadership. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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FNF Philippines, CHR Caraga Host “Human Rights Go Digital: Regional Digital Advocacy Workshop for Civil Society Organizations”
On July 28 - 29, 2025, FNF Philippines and the Office of the Commission on Human Rights in the Region of Caraga (CHR Caraga) jointly conducted a digital advocacy workshop titled "Human Rights Go Digital."
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Security through Synergy: Analyzing the Philippine-German Defense Cooperation Agreement through the Lens of Liberalism
On May 14, 2025, the Republic of the Philippines and the Federal Republic of Germany entered an arrangement concerning cooperation to advance their bilateral relationship in the field of defense. To mark the momentous occasion, Philippine Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and German Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius signed the pact in Berlin, Germany.
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The Case for Liberal Hope in an Age of Disillusionment
There is an invisible epidemic plaguing the global liberal movement today, one that has outlasted even the coronavirus. Liberals are succumbing to hopelessness, and for understandable reasons. Liberalism is under heavy siege on many fronts, with its promise of progress through individual freedom, human rights, and free markets scorned by the Left and the Right across the globe. It is easy to forget that just thirty years ago, liberal democracy seemed triumphant. The so-called ‘end of history’ felt imminent. But that moment has long passed. Confusion, fear, and frustration have taken their place.
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FNF Philippines and the Commission on Human Rights Sign Partner Agreement to Expand the Promotion of Human Rights in Philippine Localities
On June 9, 2025, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) entered a partner agreement to implement projects promoting human rights in the Philippines.
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Plaza Miranda Launches First Issue of 2025
In the Philippines, talking openly about important topics like freedom, social justice, liberalism and democracy is more than just a tradition but a necessity. These values should be at core of our communities. But in times when political tensions rise or when people feel unheard, these conversations become even more important. This is why the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Philippines continues to invest in platforms where such discussions can take place.
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More than Just Numbers: Filipino Women Speak up their Truth
A new documentary series called Women Speak Up gives a voice to working Filipino women who experience social inequality and discrimination in their everyday lives. The series was made by the Center for Liberalism and Democracy in partnership with Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines to help more people understand the daily struggles of women in the country.
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Liberals in the 2025 Midterm Elections and Beyond
Parliamentary elections were held in the Philippines on May 12. These midterm elections, in which the winners take office midway through President Marcos' term, will elect all 317 seats in the House of Representatives and 12 of the 24 seats in the Senate to form the 20th Philippine Congress. Local elections for the executive and legislative branches were also held in all municipalities, cities and provinces across the country. As in Canada and Australia, the elections showed that liberalism is neither dead nor obsolete. Liberal forces are needed and wanted. There is no other explanation for the surprising election result, especially with regard to the Senate elections.
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Die Liberalen und die Zwischenwahlen 2025: ein Blick in die Zukunft
Am 12. Mai fanden in den Philippinen Parlamentswahlen statt. Bei diesen Zwischenwahlen, bei denen die Gewinner ihr Amt zur Halbzeit der Amtszeit von Präsident Bongbong Marcos antreten, werden alle 317 Sitze im Repräsentantenhaus und 12 der 24 Sitze im Senat zur Bildung des 20. philippinischen Kongresses gewählt. In allen Provinzen, Städten und Gemeinden des Landes fanden darüber hinaus Kommunalwahlen für die Exekutive und Legislative statt. Die Wahlen zeigten wie zuvor schon in Kanada und Australien: der Liberalismus ist weder tot noch obsolet. Die liberalen Kräfte werden gebraucht und sind gewünscht. Anders lässt sich das überraschende Wahlergebnis, insbesondere in Hinblick auf die Senatswahlen, nicht erklären.
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CLD Prepares Trainers for Voter Education and Vote Protection Ahead of 2025 Philippine Elections
To capacitate aspiring trainers for voter education and vote protection in the lead-up to the upcoming national and local elections on May 12, 2025, the Center for Liberalism and Democracy (CLD), in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation FNF Philippines, hosted two-parter Training of Trainers (TOT) across various regions of the Philippines starting March 2025.
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Kababaihang Liberal Holds Second General Assembly to Empower Women and Tackle Election Challenges
On March 16, 2025, Kababaihang Liberal (Liberal women) held its second General Assembly at the Gerry Roxas Training Center in Cubao, Quezon City. The event built on discussions from the recent Training of Trainers, shifting the focus to educating voters in preparation for the upcoming elections.
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Demokrasya sa Barangay: Kababaihang Liberal’s New Approach to Strengthening Women’s Voices in Communities
In celebration of Women’s Month, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines collaborated with Kababaihang Liberal (Liberal women) to launch the Demokrasya sa Barangay (Democracy in the Barangay) initiative. This program, aimed at empowering women in local communities, included a series of events such as a Training of Trainers, Kwentuhan sa Barangay (Conversations in the Barangay) sessions in 10 sites, a General Assembly, and consultations with women community leaders.
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Arrest of Rodrigo Duterte: A Step Towards Accountability
On March 11, 2025, former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for crimes against humanity. This development marks a significant milestone in the ICC's over eight-year investigation into the thousands of deaths linked to Duterte's "war on drugs”.
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CLD Voter Education Program Kicks Off with Film Screening and Panel Discussion
On March 1, 2025, the Center for Liberalism and Democracy (CLD), in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' (PUP) academic organizations, successfully launched #YouthVote2025, CLD’sVote Protection Program at the Tanghalang PUP Theater in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
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PPVR and FNF Hold Successful Week of Democratic Education and Empowerment in Butuan City
From February 26 to 27, 2025, Butuan City was filled with energy and a strong commitment to democracy as the People Power Volunteers for Reform (PPVR) Caraga, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines, organized a series of productive events focused on voter education and the promotion of democratic values. The activities aimed to reach diverse groups, including youth and rural communities.
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Human Rights Memorialization Takes Center Stage at Project Alaala’s “Anna” Book Launch
On February 21, 2025, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) Philippines, in collaboration with Ms. Joyce Crisanto and St. Bridget School Idinayale, launched the Project Alaala publication titled “Anna” at St. Bridget School in Quezon City.
Social Media
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𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: Ngayong araw ay balikan rin natin si Grace Padaca. Sa Freedom Speech niya noong 2012, sinabi niya na ang tunay na kalayaan ay iyong handa kang lumabas sa comfort zone at magbigay kahit kaunti, para maranasan din ito ng iba. Bilang dating governor na tumindig laban sa matagal nang political dynasty, pinakita niya na ang katapangan ay hindi lang pag-iingay kundi dapat matatag, may prinsipyo at pinapalakas ng paniniwala na kaya pangmaging mas makatarungan ang demokrasya natin. Ngayong December 18, habang naghahanda tayo sa Freedom Flame at Freedom Speech, naaalala natin ang mga tulad niya na nagpapaalala na lumalakas ang kalayaan tuwing may pumipili ng integridad kaysa convenience, at accountability kaysa pananahimik. Sign up now for Freedom Flame 2025: tinyurl.com/FreedomFlame2025
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This December 18, muling aalab ang Flame of Freedom! 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐧𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐧𝐚 𝐢𝐭𝐨: tinyurl.com/FreedomFlame2025 Sino kaya ang magbibigay ng Freedom Speech this year? Habang hinihintay natin ‘yan, balikan muna natin ang ilan sa mga naging boses ng kalayaan. Noong 2011, sa pinakaunang Freedom Speech, pinaalala sa atin ni Butch Abad na freedom isn’t just the absence of dictatorship, ito ay araw-araw na laban upang mapagana ang ating mga institusyon para sa bawat Pilipino. At sa tanong niyang, “Are we really free enough?” tinuro niya na ang tunay na kalayaan ay ang pagwasak sa mga sistemang nagpapahirap, nagpapatahimik, at nagpapawalang-boses sa tao. Hanggang ngayon, relevant pa rin ang mensahe niya: Ang tunay na kalayaan ay nakikita sa gobyernong tapat, makatao, at para sa lahat. #FreedomFlame2025 #FreedomSpeech2025 #LookbackSeries
