False prophets? Mutant NGOs and Philippine environmentalism

Nongovernmental organization (NGO) popularity has led to the emergence of NGO-like organizations Oat seek to acquire a stake in that popularity. Mutant NGOs are established for ostensibly moral and altruistic purposes but their main purpose is primarily to promote the political and economic interests of sponsors. This essay explains the nature and function of these impostors and considers the possible benefits accruing to affiliated elites in the environmental sector. A Philippine case study conveys some of the dynamics surrounding the mutant NGO. I briefly consider the response of Philippine NGOs to mutant counterparts. The findings raise intriguing questions about the wider politics of NGO-elite relations.