CHAPTER IX

POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Objectives:
 Describe the nature of political parties in the Philippines;
 Discuss the implications of the existing political party system in the
Philippines on the governance of the country; and
 Propose different advocacies and how to address them through the
methods unutilized by political parties.

Political parties in the Philippines are of diverse ideologies and are plentiful in
number. Most of these parties do not have actual grassroots membership among ordinary
voters but rather that of political figures and leaders.

What is a Political Party ?

A group of people that is

organized for the purpose of
winning government power, by
electoral or other means. Voluntary
association of individuals who
advocate certain principles or
policies as superior to all others for
the general conduct of government
and which nominates and supports
certain of its leaders as electoral
candidates.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF A POLITICAL PARTY:
1. Has an organized structure with lines of authority and power distribution.
2. Seek to attract popular support in the form of votes.
3. Seeks political power directly thru electoral method
4. Prepared to support a candidate and fight for victory in an election. (to gain
power)

PARTY MEMBERSHIP - means formal attachment to a political party, usually involving

the assumption of obligations to the party and receiving privileges from the party.
1. For patronage
2. To get special treatment from the government
3. To enhance their own career
4. Economic benefit
5. Personal gratification
6. To have and to use an influence on the others
7. Ideological fulfillment

THE FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES

1. Leadership Recruitment- The political party is still likely to be a
structure that identifies
potential leaders, brings them to public attention, and secures them the support
necessary for taking public office.
2. Coordinate policy across different branches of Gov’t
3. Mobilize voters – get out the vote drives -President, Congress, local party
cooperation to
win elections. -Leaders stress party loyalty to proposed policies.
4. Provide accountability- unintended side effect Used by voters to hold elected
official
accountable.
5. Nominate candidates - by most common method today.

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 6. Contest election- “wage war” in the general election
7. Form governments- organized along party lines government appointments in
executive

Party Membership Rules:

§ Usually require a person to apply formally for membership, and party officials
can accept or reject the application (though in fact they are usually accepted).
§ The person must at least pay annual dues and sometimes take an oath to
support the party’s principles and candidates.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES OF PARTIES

1. Selecting Candidates Parties virtually monopolize nominations, which give them

tremendous power to shape governments and policies.
2. Election Campaigning Those professionals, hired by the candidates for substantial
fees, organize high-tech campaigns that feature such up-to-date (and costly) techniques
and raising money by computerized direct mail advertising.
3. Nominate Candidates—Recruit, choose, and present candidates for public office.
4. Inform and Activate Supporters—Campaign, define issues, and criticize other
candidates.
5. Act as a Bonding Agent—Guarantee that their candidate is worthy of the office.
6. Govern—Members of government act according to their partisanship, or firm
allegiance to a party.
7. Act as a Watchdog—Parties that are out of power keep a close eye on the actions of
the party in power for a blunder to use against them in the next election.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARTY SYSTEM

1. One-Party System. There is a monopoly of power; as the name

suggests, there is just one existing part.

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 2. Two-Party System. There are two parties going against each other
for domination in the government. In some cases, such as in the
United States, there are only two parties. In other countries, there is
two plus one or more party system where there are two “major”
parties and several minor ones.
3. Multiparty System. As the name implies, more than two parties
compete with almost equal capabilities in affecting and winning in the
political competition.
Reference https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_the
_Philippines
Video Links Topic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H19 Political Party Functions and Structure
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH Political Parties in the Philippines
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEm Political Parties: Crash Course Government
OUHxessE and Politics #40