The Philippines is already among the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis. But what we are experiencing right now will only get worse as global temperatures continue to rise.
The next administration will be steering the country’s direction in six of the eight years leading up to 2030, and so must be ready with concrete plans that will not only ensure that communities can cope and adapt, but will also call for accountability from developed nations and corporations most responsible for the crisis, even as we pursue mitigation to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels domestically.
WHERE DO THE CANDIDATES STAND?
Greenpeace is examining where each of the 10 presidential candidates stand on issues related to climate based on their track record and recent public pronouncements.
The 10 presidential candidates may have different levels of understanding about the climate crisis, but almost all of them have made pronouncements about it. We examined their track record and statements to get a sense of how they plan to act on the issue, if they become president. We focus on five areas:
- Climate action – overall plans about how their administration will respond to the climate challenge
- Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters – how are they planning to pursue climate justice and hold those responsible accountable
- RE and the energy transition – how they see the urgency of a fossil fuel phase out
- Nuclear, oil and fossil gas – whether they plan to pursue measures that will detract from a rapid transition to RE
- Disaster response – what will be their approach to climate emergencies
CLIMATE, ENVIRONMENT, AND DEMOCRACY
Climate and environmental protection can only be successful when we have a government that supports people’s participation in all aspects of governance, protects and defends human rights, promotes transparency and information disclosure, and fights corruption.
So the next president must stand for inclusive, transparent and inspired models of governance that are fully accountable to people, prioritizing and meeting our collective rights to social, economic, cultural and environmental dignity.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ASPIRANTS: WHERE THEY STAND ON CLIMATE ISSUES
ABELLA, ERNESTOABELLA ERNESTO
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Has not yet presented an overall plan of action on the climate crisis |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | Agrees on the need for a transition. Will support microgrids in far flung areas |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| Disaster response | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
- Ernesto Abella hasn’t yet presented or spoken about an overall plan to address the climate crisis.
- But in a recent interview, he said he agreed on the need for an energy transition.
- So far, what he has expressed in renewable energy is that he will support microgrids in far-flung areas.
- On the plus side, he says his government will be a “listening government” and believes in the full engagement of civil society.
DE GUZMAN, LEODYDE GUZMAN, LEODY
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Stated that climate change will be one of his priorities. His climate crisis action plan includes strengthening communities’ adaptive capacity, sustainable projects, calling for reparation and damages from rich countries; called for long term solutions including an energy transition |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | Calls for reparation and damages from rich countries |
| RE and the energy transition | Would enact a rapid transition to RE with the closure of coal plants (in 2 years); shift to RE will be done via private partnerships; RE to bring jobs and lower electricity rates |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | Not in favor of nuclear |
| Disaster response | Says he will strengthen community adaptive capacity; and called for a strategic land use policy to prevent disasters |
- Currently, Leody De Guzman has the most progressive position on climate. This doesn’t come as a surprise because of his background as part of progressive civil society.
- He has spoken about a “climate crisis action plan” which addresses different aspects of the climate challenge
- He has a strong call for reparation and damages from rich countries, and is the only candidate currently very vocal about this stance
- His position on coal phase out in two years is promising
- He is the only one among the candidates who has openly rejected nuclear energy
- His approach to disaster preparedness is strengthening community capacity
- He also has a track record of strong support for democratic institutions and processes and has stated he will prioritize the human rights defenders bill and will defend freedom of the press
DOMAGOSO, ISKODOMAGOSO, ISKO
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Plans to address climate crisis through massive reforestation with IP groups and LGUs |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | He is open to extraction of oil in the WPS |
| Disaster response | Will utilize technology for disaster preparedness |
- Late last year, Isko Moreno announced that he plans to address the climate crisis through a massive reforestation effort with the help of IP groups
- As Mayor, he pushed for harnessing solar electricity in school rooftops, and for a rainwater collection system
- But currently he has not yet expressed his stand or plans for RE and energy transition at the national level
- He says he will utilize technology for disaster preparedness
- On governance, Isko Moreno has vowed to have an inclusive government that ensures “social harmony”
GONZALES, NORBERTOGONZALES, NORBERTO
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Has not yet presented an overall plan of action on the climate crisis |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | For an energy transition, will speed it up |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| Disaster response | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
- We know very little of Norberto Gonzales’s climate plans as he has only so far spoken about a commitment to speed up the transition to RE. However, he has offered no details on this.
LACSON, PINGLACSON, PING
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Will make the Philippines a “model country” in the fight against climate change; and would address climate based on science and data; espouses “carbon emissions testing” and reforestation to address climate change |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | Energy transition is part of his plan to make the Philippines a model |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | Amenable to pursuing nuclear; supports oil/gas exploration in the WPS |
| Disaster response | In 2010, sought a review of the DRRM act to make more climate responsive; will make country better prepared for climate risks by wiping out corruption, technology and better urban and rural planning |
- Ping Lacson’s major pronouncement on climate is how he would a make the Philippines a “model country” in the fight against climate change
- He says he will do this by having the country contribute to global emissions reductions targets through a transition to renewables and “alternative” sources of energy
- In 2010, he sought a review of the DRRM act to make it responsive to climate
- He will strengthen climate adaptation by wiping out corruption, the use of technology and better planning
- On the minus side, he supports nuclear energy and welcomes fossil fuel exploration in the WPS
- He supports transparency in government and his main agenda is to eliminate corruption
MANGONDATO, FAISALMANGONDATO, FAISAL
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Has not yet presented an overall plan of action on the climate crisis |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| Disaster response | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
- Climate does not seem to figure in Faisal Mangondato’s agenda given that he has not spoken about this issue yet in public
MARCOS, BONGBONGMARCOS, BONGBONG
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Called for integration of climate change mitigation in all aspects of governance in 2016; calls for collective action on climate change (no details) |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | Says he supports RE and the shift away from fossil fuels |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | For nuclear power; wants to revisit the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant which he says can also be used for fossil gas; proposes nuclear plants in Mindanao |
| Disaster response | Has expressed the need to safeguard the most vulnerable from calamities and has tweeted about the need to strengthen recovery settlements |
- As a candidate, Bongbong Marcos has called for collective action on climate change (but has given no details about this), although in 2016 he supported a call for integration of climate change mitigation in all aspects of governance
- He has talked about climate justice (as an issue) in his youtube channel a few years ago, but stopped short of making any calls or recommending plans of action. He has not spoken about this as a candidate.
- He says he supports RE and the shift away from fossil fuels, but has given no details yet on how he proposes the transition
- He supports nuclear and fossil gas, and expressed that Mindanao can be the area for nuclear plants
- While he has expressed the need to safeguard the most vulnerable from calamities and has tweeted about the need to strengthen recovery settlements, he has not yet expressed this as part of a plan
- Among all the candidates, his record for the support of democratic institutions and processes is the most controversial given his family’s history of dictatorship, human rights abuses and corruption cases.
- Recently he also expressed that he believes that SALN release should be voluntary and not mandatory for government officials.
- Allegations of cronyism under his father’s dictatorship include reports of connections to extractive industries, which may not bode well for bold environmental and climate policies
- His approach to corruption is to “minimize” it, noting that it is a “human condition”
MONTEMAYOR, JOSEMONTEMAYOR, JOSE
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Called for people to plant trees and stop cutting trees |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| Disaster response | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
- Like Magondato, little is known in public about Jose Montemayor’s climate positions, although he seems to have authored a book on climate change
- When asked about the climate, he called on people to plant trees and to stop cutting trees
PACQUIAO, MANNYPACQUIAO, MANNY
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Will institute a “super agency” for disaster response and long term strategies to address the climate (integrating the NDRRMC with the CCC) |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | No stand currently expressed on this issue |
| RE and the energy transition | Says RE development is among his top 5 priorities |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | Supports nuclear and eyeing floating nuclear power plants |
| Disaster response | “Super agency” |
- Manny Pacquiao has floated the idea of a “super agency” to address the climate crisis, and this will involve integrating the NDRRMC with the Climate Change Commission. If such an integration is done well, this may bode well for a start on instituting coherent climate action in government (however, other agencies also need to be on board)
- He has not expressed any stand on climate justice
- He says RE development is among his top priorities, but he supports nuclear and is eyeing floating nuclear power plants
- Stopping corruption is among his top 5 priorities, but he has not yet expressed how he would support people participation in governance
ROBREDO, LENIROBREDO, LENI
| Focus areas | Candidate’s stance |
|---|---|
| Climate action | Pushing for “inclusion of climate change programs in all plans of government”; will make the Philippines a center of climate related industries (e-transport and climate smart agriculture infra) |
| Climate justice, and accountability and obligations of big polluters | Says she will put forward coherent policies (no details) |
| RE and the energy transition | Agrees with the need to move away from fossil fuel dependence; will institute a just framework towards green energy; pushing for the retirement of coal plants; will prioritize RE (solar, wind, geothermal), and is in favor of mini grids and rooftop solar |
| Nuclear, oil, and fossil gas | “Open to discussion” on nuclear; sees fossil gas as an option for transition towards carbon neutrality by 2050; will provide support for more companies to fast track the development of more oil fields |
| Disaster response | Will invest on relocation and resilient infrastructure |
- In a recent pronouncement, Leni Robredo said she would advocate the “inclusion of climate change programs in all plans of government”, integrating local and national government plans
- She is still vague on climate justice, saying only that she put forward coherent policies, but has currently given no details
- She has spoken several times on the need to move away from fossil fuel dependence and declared that she will institute a just framework towards green energy that includes the retirement of coal plants
- She says her administration will prioritize RE (solar, wind, geothermal), and she is in favor of mini grids and rooftop solar.
- However, nuclear is on the table should she be elected, and she will support further fossil fuel extraction
- Her approach to disaster response is better relocation and resilient infrastructure
- On the support for democratic institutions and processes: she is in favor of giving more space for people to participate in governance; vows she will empower communities in environmental discussions and will institute People’s Councils at the local level. She also says she will bring back trust in government by stopping corruption; and she is pro-information disclosure
SUMMARY
The climate crisis needs to be the top election agenda, and candidates need to show us that they have solid plans to address this.
- Climate will be the defining issue of the next administration.
The next president will serve during the decade which is the most crucial window for climate action if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change
- Filipinos are already suffering from climate impacts and it will get worse.
The climate crisis impacts very fundamental issues: food, water and energy security, poverty, injustice, health, and our fundamental rights to life, health, among others. It cannot go unaddressed. To secure all these and ensure Filipinos are able to live decent lives free from fear or want, means that climate needs to be the primary lens in government policy making and implementation.
- Addressing the climate crisis entails urgent, long-term, and systemic solutions.
The solution is not one-off actions, but bold, visionary, transformative policies that will secure the safety and well-being of Filipinos for decades to come. As mentioned earlier, the next president needs to have guts and vision to put communities’ and people’s welfare before corporate interests, confront big polluters, and speed up the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Above all, for such transformative policies to succeed, the next president must champion democracy: support people’s participation in governance, strengthen democratic institutions, and advance and protect human rights, among others.
WHAT FILIPINO VOTERS NEED TO LOOK AT IN THEIR CANDIDATES WHEN IT COMES TO CLIMATE ISSUES
- Coherent climate action: How will climate action figure in their administrative priorities? Will climate action be at the forefront of their policy agenda? How will they ensure climate action is at the heart of the post COVID recovery plan? What is their comprehensive blueprint for addressing the climate crisis?
- Fossil fuel phase-out: Outline their plan for an energy transition: how are they going to follow through with the coal moratorium? What are their timelines: Will they be willing to commit to a complete coal phase out by 2040 or earlier? How will they ensure a just transition?
- Climate justice: What is their stand on the accountability and obligation of big polluters? The crisis we are experiencing now is due to the historical emissions of countries, and also fossil fuel companies. What actions do they have in mind to demand more financing from countries, aside from payment for loss and damages, how will they demand justice? Will they be supportive of climate litigation if we see no action from these entities?
- What are their plans to protect the most climate-vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries? With worsening climate conditions, farmers will continue to suffer billions-worth of agricultural damage, while fisherfolk will continue to deal with harder livelihood situations. Almost all candidates expressed that they will prioritize farmers and fishers, but for most of them, climate impacts on these 2 sectors–which are expected to be very significant–remain unaddressed.
Disclaimer
Greenpeace is a politically and financially independent organization. We do not take donations from political parties or governments, or from corporations. Our work on electoral advocacy is aimed at surfacing environmental and social justice issues that we believe people should be considering when they cast their ballots.
The information provided on the stance of presidential candidates are taken from a scan of each of the candidate’s public pronouncements in news websites, as well as the candidate’s own web, as of 23 February 2022. While we have made every attempt to ensure a thorough scan of public pronouncements, the information provided here is for general guidance only on matters of interest and does not purport to be comprehensive. It also does not include information that candidates may have expressed but are not recorded in public platforms.
While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information provided here is from reliable sources, we are not responsible for errors or omissions, or for any consequence from its use. We also make no representations on the accuracy or any other aspect of the information contained from the website sources. All information in this site is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, and timeliness, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied.
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