Senior High School

12
Philippine Politics and
Governance
Quarter 2 – Week 13
Module 10
Elections and Political Parties

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Analyza the nature of elections and political parties in the

Philippines

Sandra Mae Dulay Calpito, MAEd, JD

1
 The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the
module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Pre Test before moving on to the other activities included in
this module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
7. If you encounter difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to
consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain
deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

Political parties and elections play an important role in the analysis of politics in
developing countries, particularly in the analysis of democratization, and specifically
the consolidation of democratic political regimes. Among political scientists, the
existence of free and fair elections on a regular basis is considered the minimal
condition for a democracy (democratic regime)

In the previous modules, you have already learned the framework of the
government. This time, you will learn how to become part of governance. Citizens
are very powerful in a way that they elect political candidates to certain positions in the
government. During election, issues and problems arise such as candidates
qualification, electoral protest, vote buying and fying voters. These issues and
concerns are to be resolved primarily by Commission on Election (COMELEC).

After reading this module, you will be able to analyza the nature of elections
and political parties in the Philippines.

Specifically, this module will help you to:

✓ Describe the nature of elections and political parties in the Philippines;

✓ Identify the types of electoral systems;
✓ Discuss the importance of suffrage and political paties.

2
 LESSON Elections and Political
10 Parties

STUDY TIME

The Electoral System

• Periodic election of officials by single-ballot plurality vote
• Executive and senators elected at large
• Existence of legislative districts and local government units Electorate: duly
registered citizens 18 years of age and above

Pre-Colonial Philippines
• No elections for ruling authorities
• Government was based more on intangibles – Kinship – Customs/Traditions –
Favors – Unwritten laws

Colonial Government
• In colonizing the Philippines, Spain effectively formalized and modernized
government rule
• To be able to administer the colony effectively, the colonial government created
pockets of local authority across the country

American Colonial Rule

• American colonial rule set the foundation for elections in the Philippines
• Government institutions and the electoral system were patterned after the
American system
• Filipinos could run for public office in a limited capacity

Commonwealth
• Introduced a more accommodating electoral system
• Over time, Philippine elections were dominated by a single-party
• Creation of the COMELEC to oversee the conduct of elections

1973 Constitution
• Consolidation of power under Martial Rule
• Less electoral safeguards – Weakening of the powers of the COMELEC – Lack
of checks and balances within the electoral system

3
American Colonial Rule – Initial dominance of the Federal Party
• Party advocating Philippine statehood within the United States – Rise and
subsequent preponderance of the Nacionalista Party
• Coalition of different groups advocating Philippine independence

Post-War Period – Split of the Liberal Party from the Nacionalista Party
• Encouraged by the Americans to avoid single-party hegemony
• Over time, the distinction between the two became blurred
• Growing importance of personalities

Martial Law – Clampdown on political institutions – Rise of the Kilusang Bagong

Lipunan (KBL) as the dominant political party – Eventual emergence of regional
political parties

Post-EDSA (1986) – Development of a multi-party system

SUFFRAGE. The right to vote in elections.

Who may exercise (Sec. 1, Art. V)
1. all citizens of the Philippines, not otherwise disqualified by law;
2. at least 18 years of age
3. resided in the Philippines for at least one year; and
4. resided in the place they propose to vote for at least 6 months immediately
preceding the election.

II. RESIDENCE has dual meaning (Sec.1, Art. V):

1. As a requirement of residence in the Philippines: synonymous with “domicile”.
Imports both intention to reside and personal presence coupled with conduct
indicative of such intention.
2. Requirement of residence in the place where one intends to vote: can mean
domicile or temporary residence

Requisites of Acquisition of Domicile by Choice:

1. residence or bodily presence in the new locality;
2. an intention to remain there; and
3. an intention to abandon the old residence. (Gallego v. Verra, 73 Phil. 453)

Direct disqualification
1. Not citizen of the Republic of the Philippines
2. Below 18 years old
3. Failure to qualify with the residency requirement set by law
4. Not registered voter in the place he proposes to vote

Other disqualification/disabilities
1. Citizens who have been sentenced by the court for at least 1 year and have not
been granted a pardon by the President.
2. Those who have been adjudged of final judgment by competent tribunal of
having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the government.
3. Those who are declared insane or incompetent persons as declard by
competent authority.

4
Kinds of election
1. General election. Elections are held simultaneously on the same day for all
national and local offices.
2. National election. Elections for national officials like President, Vice President,
and members of Congress.
3. Local election. Elections for the offices in the provinces, cities, and
municipalities.
4. Special Elections – held on a date different from that of regular election

Types of Suffrage
1. Plebiscite. This refers to the process by which a certain question, like the
proposed amendment to, or revision of the Constitution is put to a popular vote
for approval or election.
2. Elections. It is the means through which the electorate chooses the leaders in
whom they entrust the functions and powers of the government for a fixed
period of time.
3. Initiative. It is a process by which the electorate directly proposes by the people
through initiative upon a petition of at least 12 per cent of the total numbers of
registered voters.
4. Referendum. It refers to when a question or law or part of it is submitted to the
electoral body for its approval or rejection.
5. Recall. It is a process of removing an incumbent officer from active duty or
before the expiration of his term of office by a vote of the people.

Political parties – group of people organized for the purpose of winning government
power, by electoral or other means
• interest holders united by a definite set of party programs and attempt to
advance a consistent line of policy
• main goal is to gain control of the levers of government so that they can realize
their policies or programs

The major types of party systems include the following:

1. One-party system – Only one party dominates and there is no political competition
between parties. Single-party systems are characterized by the oppression of
democratic freedom.
2. Two-party system – Two parties primarily dominate the political landscape and
smaller parties only play a subordinate role.
3. Dominant party systems – Other parties are present but only one party dominates
and enjoys prolonged periods in power.
4. Multiparty system – More than two parties compete for power over time. It reduces
the likelihood of a single-party government and increases chances of coalition
formation

Types of Political Parties

1. Based on membership - mass - cadre – devotee
2. Based on arena of activities - constitutional - revolutionary
3. Based on ideological orientation –

5
 • Left parties (Far-left): goal is the eventual destruction of existing class
hierarchies in society, by violence if necessary; call for comprehensive
government intervention in the economy to redistribute wealth &
guarantee welfare security to the most vulnerable.
• Center-Left parties: differ from left by their disavowal of violence and
coercion; believe that equitable distribution of wealth is still a societal
goal that should be realized by proper state intervention (with
concurrence from the people). Center parties: believe in the value of self-
initiative & a minimal state role on economy
• Center-Right parties: believe that the task of the government is to
provide peace and order and to ensure the proper enforcement of laws
and legal contracts
• Right parties (Far-Right): parties of ultra-conservatism & exclusionism;
believe in „natural‟ differences among humans and that there are some
persons, races, religions, classes that are more fit to rule than others.

Electoral Politics
• vital connections between state authority and society, linking the structure of
government to other social groupings • political action – seeking power to
achieve policy objectives

Elections – “a device for filling an office through choices made by a designated body
of people: the electorate” • for the ordinary citizen: “elections are seen as the clearest
instance of politics entering their lives”

Rules Governing Elections in the Philippines

• The supervision of the elections in the Philippines is under the charge of the
Commission on elections (COMELEC).
• In the process of supervising the conducts of elections, the COMELEC is
guided by the rules governing elections as started in the provisions of
Republic Act. No. 7166.
• Elections on Campaign Period- campaign period for the President, Vice
President and Senators is 90 days before the election and 45 days before the
day of election for members of the House of Representatives.
• Filling of Certificate of candidacy- the certificate of an individual running
for national elections is required to be filed at the main office of the
COMELEC not later than the day prior to the beginning to the campaign
period.
• Precincts and Polling Places-every barangay is required to have at least
one election precinct, with each precinct having not more than 300 votes.
• Registrations of voters – it is held on the 5th Saturday prior to the day of
election for those who are to reach 18 years of age or before the day of
election and for those qualify to cast their vote but not included in the list
of voters.
• Common Poster Area – the COMELEC is empowered to designate common
poster areas in the barangay where candidates can post their election
propaganda announcing their candidacy.
• Official Watchers- every political party and candidate is entitled to one
watcher in every polling place and canvassing center.

6
 • Board of Election Inspectors- is constituted by a chairman to one watcher
in every polling place and canvassing center.
• Board of Canvassers- in every province, city and municipality, a board of
canvassers is constituted and composed of provincial election supervisor.

Functions:
1. “Bottom-Up” functions (People Government View) – provide the citizenry with a
meaningful way of participating in government – mechanism for leadership
selection – An instrument for evaluating and changing governments – forum for
interest articulation and political socialization
2. “Top-Down” functions (Government- People View) – instrument of rule
legitimization – guide to political strategy – agent of political socialization and
integration

The Voting System in the Philippines:

Party-List Party-List System – Art. VI Sec. 5 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution – -
party-list representatives be elected to constitute 20 per centum of the total number of
the seats in the House of the Representative Provides opportunity for under-
represented sectors and parties in Philippine society to have a legitimate chance of
winning representation in Congress

Some Contemporary Issues

a. Party-list – a mechanism of proportional representation in the election of
representatives to the House of Representatives from national, regional and
sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof registered with the
Commission on Elections (COMELEC).
b. Absentee Voting - electoral process that enables persons who cannot appear
at their designated polling places to vote from another location
c. Election Fraud – a form of cheating during election
d. Political Dynasties – generally refer to traditional political families or the
practices by these political families of monopolizing political power and public
offices from generation to generation and treating the public elective office
almost as their personal property.
e. Nuisance Candidates – someone who files a certificate of candidacy (CoC) with
the intention of mocking the electoral process or putting it in disrepute; whose
name is similar to that of other registered candidates and whom the electorate
can therefore mistake for him or her; or who has no real intention to run for the
office for which he or she filed a CoC.

Anomalies in Philippine Elections:

1) lack of human manpower in the COMELEC
2) influence of “gold, guns and goons”
3) flying voters - It means double/multiple registration
4) vote buying – It is usually viewed as a purely economic exchange in which the voter
sells his or her vote to the highest bidder.
5) tampering with the election returns
6) dagdag-bawas‟

7
Prevention of electoral frauds:
1) vigilance of the citizens
2) relevant government bodies
3) reforms such as computerization and continuous registration
4) political education
5) poll observers (local and international) during elections

Some Philippine Political Parties

1. NACIONALISTA PARTY
2. LIBERAL PARTY PARTIDO LIBERAL NG PILIPINAS
3. PWERSA NG MASANG PILIPINO Force of the Filipino Masses

REFERENCES

Pawilen, R.A. and Pawilen, R.M. (2017). Philippine Politics and Governance. Rex
Bookstore Inc.

Tabajen, R. and Pulma, E. (2016). Philippine Politics and Governance.JFS Publishing

Services

Mendoza, Diana J. et al. (2016). Politics Without Borders. Phoenix Publishing House
Inc.

Lazo, R.S. (2009). Philippine Government and the 1987 Constitutions. Rex Bookstore
Inc.

Villanueva, Prince Aian G. (2017). Philippine Politics and Governance. Diwa Learning
Systems Inc.

Department of Education – Philippines (2016) K to 12 Senior High School Curriculum

Guide. Philippine Politics and Governance.

Department of Education – Philippines (2020) Most Essential Learning Competencies.

Philippine Politics and Governance.

https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=picture+of+candidates+in+election