24/09/2026
𝗪𝗩𝗦𝗨 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗣𝗣𝗦𝗔 𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
West Visayas State University (WVSU) hosted a national academic discussion on the state and resilience of Philippine democracy as the Philippine Political Science Association (PPSA) brought its 2026 PPSA Presidents’ Lecture Series on Philippine Democracy to Iloilo on Sept. 24 at the WVSU Main Campus Rehearsal Room.
Held in partnership with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Philippines (KAS), the lecture featured Jorge V. Tigno, DPA, Professor of Political Science at the University of the Philippines Diliman and former PPSA president, who discussed “Philippine Democracy: How Democratic? How Resilient?”
The activity forms part of the PPSA’s 65th founding anniversary celebration and its nationwide lecture series, which brings former PPSA presidents to different communities to facilitate discussions on Philippine democracy.
Discussing democratic resilience
In his lecture, Tigno examined democratic resilience in terms of the strength and stability of democratic institutions, citizens’ attachment to democratic ideals, norms and values, and the ability of democratic systems to absorb and recover from populist-authoritarian shocks.
He also discussed the Philippines’ structural resilience, while pointing to a gradual erosion of democratic resilience since the 2000s. According to Tigno, Filipino attitudes toward democracy are also associated with perceptions of government performance.
Despite these challenges, Tigno noted that the democratic status quo continues to hold, providing a basis for examining how democratic institutions and values can be sustained amid changing political and social conditions.
The lecture was followed by an open forum moderated by Reymund B. Flores, WVSU faculty and PPSA Secretary and Membership Officer, allowing participants to engage with the discussion and raise questions on Philippine democracy.
Among those who shared their insights and reflections were Jazztin Jairum Manalo, faculty member of the University of Santo Tomas, and Mark Vincent Nogra, faculty member of WVSU.
The activity gathered participants from various higher education institutions, including Western Institute of Technology, Central Philippine University, University of San Agustin, University of San Carlos, University of the Philippines Diliman, Filamer Christian University, and St. Anthony’s College (Antique).
The program opened with welcome remarks from Ramon Beleno III, followed by a message from PPSA President Dr. Reynold D. Agnes. Jerome Jogno, Senior Program Manager for Leadership and Strategic Communication of KAS Philippines, delivered the closing remarks.
WVSU, PPSA establish five-year collaboration
The engagement also marked the formalization of a five-year partnership between WVSU and PPSA through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering collaboration in research, instruction, and faculty development.
Dr. Agnes represented PPSA in the signing, while Peter Ernie D. Paris, PhD, Officer-in-Charge University President and Vice President for Administration and Finance, signed on behalf of WVSU.
WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, who was on official travel, conveyed his message for the occasion through a video presentation. The ceremonial signing was held at the WVSU Board Room.
The partnership provides a framework for the two institutions to pursue academic and professional exchanges in political science and related areas, while creating opportunities for collaborative research, instructional initiatives, and faculty development.
Through the lecture and the formalization of the partnership, WVSU strengthened its engagement with the political science community and provided a venue for academic dialogue on Philippine democracy, democratic institutions, and their resilience.