Born of the need for a liberal foundation that primarily serves the needs of the Liberal Party of the Philippines in terms of policy and research as well as training and capacity building, the Center for Liberalism and Democracy shall also serve as a nexus for local and international networks, and development agencies.
CLD aims to promote and advocate the liberal principles of freedom and democracy; justice, social equity and human rights; and inclusive and sustainable development. It builds alliances and solidarity with like-minded organizations including political parties, civil society movements, corporations and corporate foundations, government agencies, media, and academia in the Philippines, Asia and the rest of the globe.
The Center seeks to, among others, 1) participate in the review and formulation of pertinent policies in the realms of party platforms, legislative agenda, public and academic discourses, and the like; 2) heighten the people’s awareness of their civil, political and human rights as well as the political, economic and socio-cultural institutions and processes and power structures; and 3) capacitate and empower people to enable them to actively participate in governance, and in influencing political, economic and social policies that affect their lives.
Vision
For CLD to be the leading advocate of liberal ideals and democratic principles in the country promoting participatory democracy; inclusive and sustainable development; freedom and responsibility; justice, social equity and human rights; and, national sovereignty and international solidarity.
Mission
To promote the values of liberalism and democracy by being an independent and dynamic education, research, and policy institute.
WHAT WE DO
Review and Formulation of Policy
Strengthening Institutions
People Empowerment
Organization
Who We Are
Gerry Bulatao
Chairman
Victor Gerardo “Gerry” Bulatao chairs the Board of Trustees of CLD. He joined the Liberal Party in 1992 and has been serving in its National Executive Council since 2007. Now retired, he also chairs the Boards of Kaisahan tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan at Repormang Pansakahan set up in 1990 and Balay Mindanaw Foundation Inc. established in 1996. Both NGOs work on agrarian reform, participatory local governance, and achieving peace through development. Gerry has been active in the Galing Pook Foundation since the 1990s. He worked with the Federation of Free Farmers in the 1970s and the Department of Agrarian Reform in various capacities, including Undersecretary, in the 1980s-1990s. He served as a member of the Board of the LANDBANK from 2010-2017. Gerry earned an AB degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1970 and an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School in 1997.
John Joseph Coronel
President
John Joseph S. Coronel was Vice President and Trustee of CLD’s predecessor, the National Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS). He was the first Executive Director of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats from 1999 to 2007. He is a freelance consultant, editor and writer who had worked with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Peace & Equity Foundation (PEF), Philippine Foundation for the Environment (PEF), Amnesty International, the Philippine Commission for Human Rights (CHR), and CALD, among others. He has extensive experience in the following fields: democracy and human rights; politics and political party organizing; environment; education and youth development; communications and campaigns; and, culture and the arts. He is the author of three books on Asian women leaders, and the odyssey and legacy of CALD, both published by CALD, and on Philippine bamboo musical instruments published by the University of the Philippines.
Karry Sison
Managing Trustee
Leila de Lima
Board Member
Teddy Lopez
Board Member
Melo Ramirez
Board Member
Minnie Salao
Board Member
PJ Leynes
Program Manager
PJ Leynes is the Program Manager for the Center for Liberalism and Democracy, where he spearheads research on disinformation, the socio-cultural dimensions of Filipino political behavior, and energy security and climate justice. He leads capacity-building initiatives for local government units, legislative offices, and grassroots communities, focusing on designing effective training modules, programs, and materials. He previously worked on integrating technology into disaster risk reduction and management in health (DRRM-H) training and advancing social accountability initiatives.
PJ holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is completing his graduate studies in Clinical Psychology. He is also a lecturer at the Department of Psychology at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
He advocates the localization of strategies and programs, social-cultural adaptation of theories and practices, and community-based approaches in policy and practice, especially in mental health.
Geno Cumla
Program Officer
Geno Paul Cumla is a Program Officer of Center for Liberalism and Democracy, working as the administrative assistant and coordinator for the Young Thinkers for Freedom, a youth movement for liberal aspirants. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Technology and previously held a position in Kotemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino as its Spokesperson. He is a strong advocate for Philippine indigenous rights and culture, environmenfood security