York Centre for Asian Research and The University of the Philippines Alumni Association, Toronto presented a PANEL DISCUSSION on the Philippine Presidency and the Estrada Debacle, on Nov 8, 2002, at 2:00 P.M., at the Senior Common Room, Founders College, York University.

This seminar discussed the nature of the Philippine presidency, the events that surrounded the impeachment and removal of President Joseph Estrada in 2000, and the implications for the country’s political future. The basis for the discussion was the recently published, The Erap Tragedy: Tales from the Snake Pit by Aprodicio and Eleanor Laquian.

Panelists:

Aprodicio Laquian was formerly Professor of International Development Planning at the University of British Columbia and is currently a Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Centre in Washington DC. In 2000, Dr Laquian served briefly as President Joseph Estrada's Chief of Staff. Dr Laquian holds degrees from the University of the Philippines and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Eleanor Laquian was formerly manager of the Institute of Asian Research at the University of British Columbia. Ms Laquian is a graduate of Maryknoll College and the University of the Philippines. With Aprodicio Laquian she is co-author of The Erap Tragedy (2002).

Amado Mendoza Jr. is a graduate of the University of the Philippines at Diliman, where he is now Associate Professor of Political Science. His research focuses on political theory and international relations.

Deanna Santos holds economics and law degrees from the University of the Philippines. She was called to the Philippine Bar in 1995 and was Director of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights for the National Capital Region. In 1999 she completed a Masters in International Human Rights Law at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute, University of Lund, and finished his doctoral programme at Osgoode Hall Law School. Now, she is a full-pledged lawyer in Canada.

David Wurfel is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Windsor. In 1947-48 he studied at the University of the Philippines, and in 1998 returned as a visiting Professor of Political Science. A graduate of UC Berkeley and Cornell, he is a leading authority on Philippine politics. His publications include Filipino Politics: Development and Decay (Cornell University Press, 1988).

Dr. Philip Kelly of the Department of Geography, York University was Chair of the event.