Anthony Lawrence Borja
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| Anthony Lawrence Borja | |
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Anthony Lawrence A. Borja is a Filipino political scientist and associate professor of political science at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. He is known for his analyses of Philippine politics, particularly focusing on political polarization, political unity, governance accountability, and maritime security issues.
Early life and education
Anthony Lawrence Borja completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at De La Salle University in 2010, graduating with Honorable Mention during the university's 158th Commencement Exercises. He subsequently earned his Master of Arts in Political Science from the same institution in 2014. His master's thesis was titled "The Chains of Blunted Discontent: The protest inaction of jeepney drivers and a re-conceptualization of political alienation."
Borja later pursued doctoral studies at the School of International and Public Affairs at Shanghai Jiao Tong University from 2016 to 2023, where he obtained his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Administration. His dissertation examined illiberal political values in democratic systems in East and Southeast Asia, titled "The Illiberal Sovereign: Illiberal Political Values in East and Southeast Asian Electoral Democracies."
Academic career
Borja serves as an associate professor in the Political Science department at De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Prior to his current position, he was an assistant professorial lecturer at the same institution.[1]
Views and analyses
Political unity and polarization
Borja has been a prominent voice on the political dynamics between the Marcos and Duterte camps following their "UniTeam" alliance's fracture. He has analyzed how the breakdown of this relationship impacts Philippine politics and elections, suggesting that "a new opposition is bound to show up" following the political realignments.[2]
Regarding the Marcos administration's coalition-building efforts, Borja has observed that President Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez appear to be "separating the promise of Political Unity from the UniTeam, giving it a coalition that transcends the Marcos-Duterte alliance."[3] He has described this as "a case of coalition-building in a weak party system."
On the emerging dynamics between administration and opposition forces, Borja has suggested that opposition candidates might face criticism from their supporters for joining the administration slate, but they could justify it by underscoring the need to advance their agenda. He noted that "they could simply excuse it as 'playing the game' and being practical."[4]
Electoral politics and governance
Borja has been critical of the lack of accountability in Philippine politics. He has advocated for an "immediate recall through plebiscite, wherein elected officials deemed as incapable of fulfilling their promises are removed through a vote in between regular elections." He proposed a public "checklist" of candidates' promises to inform voters, stating that "elections without accountability means nothing more but a license for failure."[5]
On the 2025 midterm elections, Borja has predicted that the breakdown of the Marcos-Duterte relationship would likely consolidate support for administration candidates. He argued that "the force of money and patronage politics is on the side of the administration," which, combined with "Sara Duterte's declining popularity, could reduce the feud's adverse effects on both the midterm elections and overall support for the administration."[6][7]
Regarding political figures' popularity, Borja has commented on Raffy Tulfo's declining novelty, suggesting he "might end up being dubbed as a 'raw candidate.'" He has also assessed that House Speaker Martin Romualdez's poor poll performance makes him "not a viable successor of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for 2028."[8]
Economic policy and public opinion
Borja has analyzed public reactions to the government's economic policies, particularly regarding inflation. He has observed that inflation appears to be "a growing threat" to Marcos' popularity, though he identified several factors that might mitigate negative impacts: "(1) the capacity of Filipinos to excuse him by blaming other actors from economic managers to foreign governments; (2) high approval in relation to other pertinent economic issues like job creation and increasing salaries; (3) 'maghigpit ng sinturon' mentality or an endemic sense of resilience and survival sans the government."[9]
On Marcos' unfulfilled promise of lowering rice prices to ₱20 per kilo, Borja suggested that the President's supporters could "easily brush off" this failure "in the same way they brushed off former President Rodrigo Duterte's 6-month promises." He noted that "if the Marcos administration can secure an observable reduction or stabilization of commodity prices, even if it is minimal, while projecting the expansion of the Kadiwa program, then the impact of failure on public opinion can be cushioned by an appeal to gradual recovery and progress."[10]
Foreign policy and maritime security
Borja has emphasized the importance of understanding the economic dimensions of foreign relations, particularly regarding the West Philippine Sea territorial dispute with China. He has stated that "many Filipinos are worried more about their wallets than territorial integrity and security, issues they deem remote due to a lack of understanding, the absence of recognizable impacts, or a sheer lack of empathy for those directly affected."[11]
In analyzing President Marcos' 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), Borja noted that maritime security was presented as a key political issue. He observed that "in line with his approach to China and his clear redirection of the government's campaign against illegal drugs, Marcos Jr. clearly established a distinction between himself and Duterte's administration."[12]
Civic participation and democracy
Borja has addressed "the issue of inaction and political disempowerment among Filipinos," observing that "most Filipinos are subjectively disempowered; they have deemed themselves as incapable of effectively participating outside of elections." He has advocated for expanding "spaces for engagement" in the policy process and suggested that "democratically oriented local government officials and civil society organizations must generate demand for effective political participation in the policy process."[1]
For opposition forces preparing for elections, Borja has recommended that their efforts should be "tied to a more general appeal to a dignified life, something that is irreducible to economic security, and involves political empowerment and sociocultural well-being."[13]
Publications
Borja has written opinion pieces for various publications, including:
- "The rise of anti-politics: 'Unity' in curbing dissent in the Philippines," Rappler, September 27, 2022[14]
- "Pernicious anti-politics," New Mandala, September 13, 2022[15]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gillaine Ravela (July 28, 2022). "How citizens can improve existing civic education programs, according to experts". Interaksyon. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Kaycee Valmonte (November 29, 2023). "Amid Uniteam power struggle, can a 'new opposition' be in the works?". Rappler. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Jonathan de Santos (May 11, 2024). "LP may have points of unity with new admin alliance: analyst". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio (April 6, 2025). "Marcos-backed alliance told to fill spot left by Imee with opposition bet". Business World. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio (March 23, 2025). "Analysts push for system to oust politicians over broken promises". Business World. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral (December 5, 2024). "Economic risks from 'UniTeam' feud flagged". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Ian Nicolas P. Cigaral (December 5, 2024). "Marcos-Duterte feud seen as major economic risk ahead of 2025 elections". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Chloe Mari A. Hufana (March 3, 2025). "VP remains Pinoy pick for President in 2028". Business World. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Ian Nicolas Cigaral (October 6, 2022). "Filipinos unhappy with Marcos' handling of inflation problem — survey". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Ian Nicolas Cigaral (July 24, 2023). "Progress on 'P20/kilo' rice promise missing from Marcos' second SONA". Philstar.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza (May 26, 2024). "Sea dispute with China should be key election issue in 2025 — analysts". Business World. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza (July 23, 2024). "Marcos may keep shunning Duterte policies as rift widens". Business World. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza (November 13, 2022). "Opposition told to learn from US midterm results". Business World. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Anthony Lawrence Borja (September 27, 2022). "[OPINION] The rise of anti-politics: 'Unity' in curbing dissent in the Philippines". Rappler. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
- ↑ Anthony Lawrence Borja (September 13, 2022). "Pernicious anti-politics". New Mandala. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
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