PHL sees biggest ranking drop in global Rule of Law survey

The Philippines saw the hardest fall in rank in the World Justice Project's 2017–2018 Rule of Law Index, plunging 18 spots down to 88th out of 113 countries surveyed.

The index, which measures a country's "adherence to the rule of law from the perspective of ordinary people and their experiences," also said that the Philippines now ranks 13th out of 15 countries in the East Asia and Pacific region.

The Philippines, which ranked 70th in the world in the 2016 report, now ranks below countries like China, Zambia and Cote d'Ivoire and just above Russia.

With an overall score of .47, the Philippines was classified as a country with a "weaker adherence to the rule of law."

The result also put the Philippines below the survey's median, and described as having a "declining rule of law."

The survey covered the cities of Manila, Cebu and Davao, and was conducted through face-to-face interviews.

Downward trajectory

A downward is trend was observed in four factors considered in the study: Constraints on Government Powers; Fundamental Rights; Order and Security; and Criminal Justice.

Constraints on Government Powers "measures the extent to which those who govern are bound by law" and under it, the existence of a "free and independent press" is considered.

Fundamental Rights "focuses on a relatively modest menu of rights that are firmly established under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and are most closely related to rule of law concerns."

Order and Security measure the assurance of the security of persons and property, whereas Criminal Justice "measures whether civil justice systems are accessible; affordable; and free of discrimination, corruption, and improper influence by public officials."

The subcategories where the Philippines most fell short of the regional average are "absence of civil conflict" in the Law and Order category and the "right to life and security" in the Fundamental Rights section.

Regional ranking

Singapore (-4), Republic of Korea (-1), Indonesia (-2), Thailand (-7), Vietnam (-7), and Myanmar (-2) all experienced a slip in rank as well.

In the East Asia and Pacific region, the Philippines ranks 13 out of 15, above only Myanmar and Cambodia. New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore are at the top of the list.

New Zealand and Australia are the only countries from the region in the Top 10, with Singapore falling from 9th to 13th in the global ranking.

Denmark retains its 0.89 score and remains on top. Norway received a similar score and is also retains its spot.

Cameroon, Egypt, Afghanistan, Cambodia, and Venezuela populate the bottom of the list. — Aya Tantiangco/BM, GMA News