Framework of the Study

To further discuss the bases of this study, the following theories and concepts were

employed:

The first theory that employed in this study is the rational choice theory. This theory states

that individuals use rational calculations to make rational choices and achieve outcomes that are

aligned with their own personal objectives. These results are also related with an individual’s best,

self-interests. Using rational choice theory is expected to result in outcomes that provide people

with the greatest benefit and satisfaction given the choices they have available (Ganti, 2019).

The rational choice theory is linked to this study since the barangay officials decisions need

to be rational. From the word itself rationality concerns to critical thinking of the barangay

officials. The educational attainment, experiences and trainings are the most important traits or

characteristic that leaders must have especially for their job. It is important to a barangay official

to have an educational attainment or a degree in order to efficiently and effectively perform their

job and will result an outcome that provide people with utmost benefit and satisfaction in

respective barangays. Without these characteristics, every leader’s performance will influence

especially during decision-making and policy-making. In order to perform their job effectively,

the decisions made need to be rational and by the used of these traits critical thinking of the

barangay officials will be useful to their work. Leadership profiles are essential in this study in

order to attain the objectives of the researchers.

Furthermore, the rational choice theory explains that elected barangay officials’ concern is

to make prudent and logical decisions in terms of decision making and policy making process.

Rational choice and logical decisions are a must have for leaders when it comes to delivering the
services and making ordinances. Thus, logical choice and formal processes during deliberations in

the barangay level will result predictable outcome.

The second theory utilized in this study is the functionalism theory by Emile Durkheim,

this theory is especially interested on how social order is possible or how society remains relatively

stable. This theory interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of

the whole society. Emphasizes a societal equilibrium wherein if something happens to disrupt the

order and the flow of the system, society must adjust to achieve a stable society. A society should

be analyzed and described in terms of functions. Society is a system of interrelated parts where no

one part can function without the other. These parts make up the whole of society. If one part

changes, it has an impact on society as a whole (Crossman, 2019).

The connection of functionalism theory to this study is that barangay officials cannot

perform or work on their task effectively without the help of others. In order to have a healthy

society, leaders in barangays should work together, decide together and cooperate during

deliberations to discuss their shared goals. Each barangay official should contribute in every

decision the whole council or body will make, they must respect others’ opinions and everyone’s

function is essential in maintaining order to have a successful society.

The third theory related in this study is the pluralism theory, wherein these proved that

having numerous viewpoints and groups strengthens the overall system, enriching its culture with

a wider spectrum of ideas and building a deeper and more principled consensus in the political

system. Pluralism theory is a fundamental principle of democracy, in which members of different

groups with different viewpoints can voice their opinions and ideas (Rohman, 2014).
 The theory’s relevance to the study is the implication of having multiple ideas are

beneficial to barangay official especially during decision making. Due to a proper manner of

deliberation and discussions of issues, they can easily arrive into effective plans meant for the

welfare of their constituents. Likewise, having freedom in expressing one’s opinions will result

harmony, and effective discussions. So that during session of the barangay officials, they prefer

the decisions of group rather than one individual because they see to it that having team work and

unity during decision making will achieve a positive outcomes.

The fourth theory that employed is the group theory of politics, stated that public policy is

the product of group struggle. What may be called public policy is the equilibrium reached in this

group struggle at any given moment, and it represents a balance which the contending factions or

groups constantly strive to win in their favor. Public policies do reflect the activities of groups

(Anyebe, 2018).

This theory is in lined with this study because this explains how each groups try to influence

public policy to its advantage at the policy formulation level and decision making process. In other

words, group interests is one of the ingredients in politics however, during session of the barangay

officials, the group decisions are sometimes consider and often recognized but group interest still

have a big impact in decision making and policy formulation.

The fifth theory is the theory of computability, it deals with the concept of an effective

procedure-a procedure that can be carried out by following specific rules. By an effective

procedure this meant a procedure for which one can give exact instructions-a program-for carrying

out the procedure (Enderton, 2011).

 For this reason, this theory is related to the study because barangay officials’ function is to

lead and make decisions. In order to do so successfully, while encouraging and motivating every

member, it is essential that the instructions, rules and procedures are clear and concise. It is also

essential that barangay officials know how to delegate tasks to their co-leaders. At this level,

leaders are mature; they know how to behave, what their role is and what is expected of them. So,

if barangay officials are able to delegate responsibilities to other members and respect their way

of carrying out the task entrusted to them, cooperation of every member and the decisions they

make will sets a beneficial balance for the whole community.

Moreover, since barangay official task is to discuss actions and make decisions in an

orderly manner. The use of parliamentary procedure is mandated by DILG for local government

units to follow. Hence, barangay officials should conduct a meeting using parliamentary procedure

because this not only helps ensure an efficient and effective barangay official meeting process but

also proper delivery of services to the people.

Another theory that was used in this study is the voting theory, this theory states that voting

is a tool for democratic decision making in politics, government, business, meetings and teams.

This theory also called social choice theory designed to address issues wherein there are multiple

decision-makers specifically voters who have distinctly conflicting preferences concerning the

relevant options or choices (Colignatus, 2014).

Significantly, the theory is anchored to the study because during the session of the barangay

officials, the decisions made are in the conduct of voting. Voting is an effective tool in a decision-

making process because everyone is given the chance and decide on the particular topics and

issues. Also, the barangay officials have their own preferences when it comes to decision and a

choice but the majority still prevails when it comes to decisions and plans.
 The contingency theory is also used in this study wherein this states that effective

leadership depends not only on the style of leading but on the control over a situation. This theory

primarily focus on the context of leadership and propose that a leader’s effectiveness is determined

by the situation he is in. Also, in the control held over the situation that in order to succeed, there

must be strong leader-member relations. Leaders must also present tasks clearly and with goals

and procedure outlined (Martin, 2019).

The theory is associated in this study since in every meeting that the barangay officials

perform is a situation wherein the presiding officer or the barangay captain take control. With

regard to effectively perform this certain situations, members of the body should be cooperate,

there must be a strong relationships and participations of all the barangay officials to successfully

do their duties. Without unity and harmony in the procedures and decisions will result chaos and

ineffective delivery of service.

Last is the standpoint theory, this theory is a means for understanding collective group

discourse. Individual’s perspectives influence how people understand themselves and

communicate with others. Based on essentialism, which means members of a group being labeled

as having the same characteristic or all being very similar to each other (Sismondo, 2001).

This theory is connected in the study because during session and decision making of the

barangay officials, every member’s presence are essential. This means that everyone must be

counted and treat equally although individual’s have their own perspective. Member’s different

viewpoints have a big impact during discourse therefore they must learn how to handle situations

like these. In this way, these conducts will achieved proper discussions and decisions among the

barangay officials.
 Aside from the theories, the following concepts also supported the study.

The first concept is the concept of democracy, this being said that the concept of democracy

is more than just a set of exact government institutions; it rests upon a well understood group of

values, attitudes, and practices-all of which may take different forms and expressions among

different cultures and societies around the sphere. One of the core democratic characteristics is

that democracy rests upon the principle of majority rule, which means that decisions are made by

majority and have to be recognized by all, but minority perspectives are valued and secured

(Stiftung, 2011).

The concept of democracy is needed since the decision making process and policy making

in the barangay level is by rules and procedures and via the conduct of meetings. Through

meetings, social, political and economic problems are tackled and resolved and the principle of

democracy which is the rule of the majority has been accepted by all barangay officials. Since the

majority has the right to decide, and it is a democratic practice, parliamentary procedure is the

systematic way to conduct a meeting and the minority has rights, which must be protected. The

use of parliamentary procedure provides a way of conducting a fair and democratic manner in the

decision making and policy making of the barangay officials.

Third is the concept of political awareness, this concept is about the sensitivity to public

policy and government. In its broadest sense, political awareness is about understanding the

currents or hidden agendas in an organization. This denote to understand people and situations-the

ability to recognize both open and essential agendas is the core of political awareness. This concept

is a force for good, and for getting things done in organization and it is an essential skill in life

(Dudman, 2017). Hence, this concept expounded that barangay officials must be politically aware

especially on the proper conduct of meetings, in terms of discussing agendas, policy making and
decision-making because being politically aware is the ability of a leader to get things done in an

effective and efficient manner.

In line with this study, is that when we talk about the rules and procedures it means that

barangay officials should perform a formal process during deliberation. Barangay officials

understanding on parliamentary procedure are the key to successful governance because the rule

of democracy is in line with parliamentary procedure. Awareness of barangay officials on

parliamentary procedure is a foundation of good governance. Effective rules and procedures and

formal processes will help to ensure decisions in barangay more organized.

Another concept used in this study is the concept of innovation adoption. Innovation

adoption is an ideal that categorizes adopters of innovations based on their level of willingness to

accept new ideas. Innovative adoption characteristics are given to groups to show that all

improvements go through predictable procedure before becoming generally accepted (Isbell,

2016).

The concept explains that, the extent of adoption of the barangay officials on the rules and

procedure of parliamentary procedure is determine on how effective and efficient they conduct

their meeting because proper procedures will result predictable and effective outcome. This

concept is also anchored in the study because barangay officials in LGUs also adopted

parliamentary procedure during assembly. Their adoption on parliamentary procedure was one of

the ways to ensure formal process and give every member the chance to voice out their opinions.

In support, barangay officials attend trainings for them to be more knowledgeable and will use

parliamentary procedure well.

 The last concept that applied in the study is the concept of political participation, political

participation is the process through which an individual plays a role in the political arena, has the

opportunity to take part in deciding the common goals and the best way to achieve these goals.

This concept refers to actual participation in these voluntary activities by which members can elect

representatives, formation of public policy, communicate their opinions, preferences, interests and

needs to government by involving themselves in public debate or discussions (Uhlaner, 2015).

This concept is related to the study since the barangay officials is the most important actors

in the government activities. Through discussion or meeting of the barangay officials there is

always an attendance and must constitute a quorum, their engagement is highly important. The

barangay officials are actively participating during their sessions, they are also engage whenever

there are deliberations because in this way they can voice out their needs, opinions and interests.

By means of participation, the barangay officials must be the front liner in contributing and

performing such duties and functions.