The Philippine ruling class
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism invites you to the launching of

THE RULEMAKERS
How the Wealthy and Well-born Dominate Congress

and The Ties that Bind CD-ROM

24 March 2004, 5 p.m.
Balay Kalinaw, U.P. Diliman
Quezon City


---------------[ About the Book )------

The Rulemakers
How the Wealthy and Well-born Dominate Congress

by Sheila S. Coronel, Yvonne T. Chua, Luz Rimban, and Booma B. Cruz

THIS book tells the story of the Philippine legislature by examining the men and women who make up that body. It looks at their demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, profession), their assets and sources of wealth, and also their family lineage.

What we found was troubling, but hardly new: Philippine legislators constitute a select and exclusive segment of society. They are richer, older, better educated, and better connected than the rest of us. The great majority of them are also part of families whose members have been in public office for two or more generations.

This book also shows how lawmakers have employed their powers to further enrich themselves and entrench their families in power. The powers to make laws, to conduct legislative inquiries, to examine the national budget, and to vet presidential appointments have been used by legislators to get benefits for themselves, their allies, and their kin.

Book: P450
CD-ROM: P250
Book and CD-ROM package launching price: P540.00