Oligarchic Politics, Corruptionary©, and Moro Reader

Three of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance’s (CenPEG) latest books were re-launched by the University of the Philippines (Manila) Centennial Publications on Nov. 14, 2008 at the University Library in Manila. The three are: Oligarchic Politics: Philippine Elections and the Party-list System (181 pages), Corruptionary© (207 pages), and The Moro Reader: History and Contemporary Struggles of the Bangsamoro People (278 pages).

The book, Oligarchic Politics, traces the roots of traditional politics that remains dominant in the country’s ruling state institutions and the advent of New Politics led by the progressive Party-list bloc in Congress. Two of its authors are Profs. Roland Simbulan, former UP Faculty Regent, and Bobby Tuazon, former head of UP Manila’s Political Science Program, who also edited the book.

Corruptionary©, considered a bestseller and the only dictionary of corruption-related words in the world, was researched by students from the university who did summer practicum with CenPEG. The book was also introduced recently at the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) held in Athens, Greece.

Introduced to the press last October, The Moro Reader provides an overview of the historical roots of the Bangsamoro struggle for self-determination, the peace process, the impact of globalization and the internationalization of the issues. It is also edited by Tuazon.

The Nov. 14 Centennial event also launched several other books written by the university faculty and researchers. The Centennial publications committee is headed by Prof. Josefina G. Tayag, presently Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Prof. Tayag also wrote a Message for Corruptionary.

The books are available at the Popular Bookstore in Quezon City, Solidaridad in Manila, UP Press bookshop, CenPEG office, and other outlets.