The Nature of Philippine Politics

By: Benjamin Terrence II L. Aggabao

Philippine Politics is curious and intriguing, interesting and entertaining and particularly
detestable as well as disgusting. Philippine politics is not simply for the vicious but also for the
avaricious, not merely for those wanting to serve but the more so, for those wanting to be served
much and well. Philippine politics is the origin of wonderful promises and as well as the cause of
big disappointments productive of misery and poverty Cruz (2013).
The Philippines have faced numerous trials and ordeals with regards to its government
and the welfare of the people. It has endured the Spanish, American and Japanese governance. It
has suffered through Martial Law. It has faced a huge number of coup d’états. And it has gone
through a lot of corruption. Aside from the mishaps of governance, the Philippines has also
experienced and is still experiencing economic instability Essays, UK. (2013).
The Philippines is a country vast with rich culture values and principles. Philippines also
has its own political system, which derived from the various sources that identifies its roles and
functions in general public. Philippine politics by nature is aptly describe in the 1987 Philippine
Constitution Article 2 Section 1 explicitly states that “the Philippines is a democratic and
republican state. Sovereignty resides with the people and all government authority emanates
from them” Guia (2000).
Being a democratic state, the people manifested their dislike to the authoritarian rule.
Moreover, as a republican state, the people affirmed that their government would be a
government of people, by the people and for the people Paulino (1990).
Moreover, Politics in the Philippines has traditionally been dominated by clans and
political bosses and patronage and is characterized by law makers that make decisions based on
fiscal incentives rather that beliefs and voters that make choices based on personality rather than
reasoned policies. Under the traditional Utang na loob system of patronage, or obligation earned
through favors, voters expect money or jobs in return for their political support. In many cases
politician’s performance was based on dole-outs not on programs or policies. Philippine concepts
about debt repayment and kinship responsibilities plays a major role in how political networks
are set up and run Hays (2008).
I firmly believe that the nature of politics in the Philippines never gives the proper
equilibrium that we need to achieve good riddance of the junk system that lurks everywhere in
the state.
Meanwhile, the one and most basic principle embodied in a democratic constitution is the
supreme exercise of power or the supremacy in the rule of law. Law is the very manifestation of
the nation states internal sovereignty Ayson and Reyes (1993).
Atty. Guia said that the sovereignty of the Filipino people is exercised in elections held
almost every year where the people directly choose their local and national leaders. The people
directly elect elective officials from the president down to the last member of barangay
saggunians. Regular elections are held every three years but in between of these schedules are
barangay elections.
In elections, Personality and image count for a lot on Philippines politics. Presidential
candidates have included high school dropout movie stars. In some cases they have had no public
service experience before running for office. It is common in Philippine politics for movie stars,
basketball players and comedians to be elected to public office. The two top vote getters in a
1992 Senate election were a former action-movie star and slapstick comedian. In the 1998
election, more than 100 candidates in national elections were former entertainers. Former police
chief and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim was nicknamed "Dirty Harry" for having little respect for
civil liberties Hays (2008).
Meanwhile, Cruz (2013) added also that Philippine Politics is not simply the purveyor of
hope but likewise the cause of despair. It is the jumping board of gross graft and corrupt
practices instead of a response to the call of what is right, proper, and just. Philippine politics is
anything but admirable even for those harboring optimism—if not hallucination. Would that it
were otherwise. And would that following thoughts and impressions were but in the realm of
fallacy.
It is a great business. While there are exceptions, most, however, enter the sphere of
Philippine politics not really to render public service but to ascertain fast and fruitful self-service.
This is precisely why it is very much worth making all the required capital investments in
seeking elective public office whereas politics in the Philippine is a very profitable investment.
Poor Filipino politicians are a rare breed. They are the picture of few small needles in a huge
haystack (Ibid.).
The complexity and irony of the nature of politics in the Philippines can be manifested,
loud and visible. Or they can be latent, subtle and discreet.
When lawmakers debate intensely over a bill in congress, or when the President declares
the country in a state of emergency, or when local governments enforce curfews. Meanwhile, it
is silent because when we pay more than what is necessary for goods and services that we
purchase, when we accept the rules that we are not even aware of their making, or when we
comply without necessarily understanding why.
Desirable or not, the nature of Philippine politics affects everyone. It affects people from
all walks of life.
References:
Ayson F. and Reyes D., (1993), Fundamentals of Political Science, National Book Store Inc.
Manila Philippines
Cruz, O (2013), Philippine politics, Retrieved from
http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=6692
Essays, UK. (November 2013). Analysis Of The Political Situation In The Philippines Politics
Essay. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/politics/analysis-of-the-political-
situation-in-the-philippines-politics-essay.php?vref=1
Guia, Luie Tito F. (2000), Philippine Political System, People’s Power.

Hays,J.(2008) Politics in the Philippines Retrieved from http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-

asia/Philippines/sub5_6f/entry-3904.html
Mendoza Diana and Melegrito Lourdes, (2016) ,Politics Without Borders Philippine Politics and
Governance, Phoenix Publishing House, Quezon City, Philippines.
Paulino, Benjamin (1990), The New Constitution Annotated and Commented, Phoenix Press Inc.
Quezon City, Philippines.