The result in Figure 1 states that majority of the Filipino respondents see Authoritarianism as a

government system that does not promote equal rights. Therefore, it can be assumed that

majority of the Filipinos believe in the bad ideas and traits that are stereotypically embedded in

the term Authoritarianism. In relation to this it can be explained through the numerous influences

that affect the perspective of the Filipinos as a whole nation. About forty three years ago, the

Philippines experienced the Authoritarian government when the late president Ferdinand Marcos

declared Proclamation No. 1081. He pointed out on the lack of discipline of the Philippine

society just to give justifications for imposing the Martial Law. According to David (2011), the

imposition of Martial Law brought about numerous bad effects on the country and bad

perceptions on its people. It brought fear to the whole nation because the soldiers or the

policemen could pick up anybody at any given time even on the absence of the warrant of arrest.

A simple protest against the government may bring too much chaos during that time. There was

also injustice, corruption, poverty and the censorship of the media during the time of the Martial

Law. (Robles, 2000) The facts against Marcos’ government is a clear manifestation that majority

of the Filipinos view Authoritarianism negatively and that their perception about this government

system will continually be about unequal rights with fear and violence.

The result in Figure 2 states that majority of the Filipino respondents see discipline as a

positive trait of Authoritarianism that could actually help the Philippines in development. The

respondents also view the proper allocation of resources as a positive trait of the government

system. In relation to this Cherry (2000) said that an Authoritarian rule can be beneficial in some

instance. For example, when decisions need to be made quickly, it will be much easier to decide

on an Authoritarian rule thus making the people follow whatever it is mandated by the
government. Most of the time, strong leadership is needed in order to accomplish the work

quickly and efficiently. On the other hand, the allocation of resources in an Authoritarian

government could be explained as a planned economy. Nove (1987) states that:

A planned economy is the economic system in which decisions regarding

production and investment are embodied in a plan formulated by a central authority,

usually by a public body such as a government agency. Thus it may be termed a

"command economy". Although a planned economy may be based on either centralized

or decentralized forms of economic planning, it usually refers to a centrally planned

economy. Central planning aims to improve productivity and coordination by enabling

planners to take advantage of better information achieved through the consolidation of

economic resources when making decisions regarding investment and the allocation of

economic inputs.

It gives all the citizens the right to receive the same amount of benefits from the government

under a planned economy.

The result in Figure 3 states that majority of the Filipino respondents favoured the Hybrid of an

Authoritarian and Democratic system as the kind of governing system that would actually help

the Philippines’ economy. Democracy is a political system in which the supreme power is vested

in the people and exercised directly through free elections. The people are free to choose their

leaders and that their opinion matters a lot. Authoritarianism, on the other hand, is a political

system in which there is only one leader. “Authoritarianism describes a form of social control
characterized by strict obedience to the authority of a state or organization, often maintaining and

enforcing control through the use of oppressive measures. Authoritarian regimes are strongly

hierarchical (Kumar, 2014).” The result of the survey can be explained by the will of the people

for just and fair elections. The citizens would like to be part of the democratic society that

encompasses the elections, civil liberties and respect for human and economic rights. (Curada,

2013) Along with this will, the Filipinos also hope for a more centralize government and a better

implementation of the laws. This, obviously, is a distinct characteristic of an Authoritarian

system. (Mckay, 2014) The results only proved that the Filipino citizens are amenable for any

government system as long as it would be beneficial for the country and its people.