Southeast Asia Speaks: Law expert Simon Chesterman on the declining rule of law in the region

The rule of law in the Philippines continues to deteriorate since President Rodrigo Duterte came into power in 2016, especially evident in the country’s ranking in the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index.

In 2021, the Philippines ranked 102nd out of 139 countries. It ranked 91st in 2020. But this trend is not just here, but can be seen in many Southeast Asian countries too.

On Friday, November 19, Rappler editor-at-large Marites Vitug speaks to law expert Simon Chesterman on what contributed to the declining rule of law in Southeast Asia.

Chesterman is the dean of the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Law. He is also the editor of  the Asian Journal of International Law.

What Southeast Asian countries are similar? What makes a democracy vibrant? – Rappler.com

Watch previous Southeast Asia Speaks episodes:

• Ex-Coast Guard chief George Ursabia Jr. on protecting the West PH Sea
• Analyst Ashley Townshend on AUKUS alliance’s impact in the region
• Analyst Gregory Poling on US policy in the region
• Legal scholar Erik Jensen on what’s next for Afghanistan
• Ex-navy chief Giovanni Bacordo on dealing with Chinese incursions in West PH Sea
• UN’s Olivier Lermet on the illegal drug trade amid pandemic
• Ex-DOH chief Manuel Dayrit on lessons from global responses to COVID-19
• Lawyer Peter Robinson on hurdles faced by ICC
• Political scientist Mark Thompson on the Philippines under Duterte
• Marine scientist Deo Onda on protecting West PH Sea resources
• Walden Bello on Rodrigo Duterte and fascism
• Analyst Joshua Kurlantzick on what ASEAN can do vs Myanmar coup
• Analyst Ben Bland on China’s pandemic diplomacy
• Antonio Carpio on West PH Sea and leading a political movement
• Lawyer Ruben Carranza on what new ICC prosecutor means for the Philippines
• Journalist Gwen Robinson on the future of Myanmar
• Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei Hong on Singapore’s leadership during COVID-19 pandemic