FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 1

Jericho Luigi T. Mejia

BSECE 2-2

Directions: Read and analyze the statements carefully. Answer each question as briefly and as concisely
as possible.

1. Discuss the importance of politics (and the concepts related to it) in our everyday lives.
 Politics is the way people living in groups make decisions that are associated with power
and authority. It is about making agreements between people so that they can live
together. This is why politics is very important. Every one of us has their own principles
in life. We all have different personal opinions and beliefs, and as well as opposing
interests and needs. Most of the time, our differences result to conflict, and through
politics, people can arrive on a set of general rules and principles. Also politics affects
our everyday lives more than we know. It affects our family, home, health, etc., through
the laws and rules set in politics. Politics is everywhere and it helps shape how we live in
this world.
2. Explain how patron-clientelism is embedded in Philippine history. Provide at least 1 instance
to show this political phenomenon.
 Patron-client relationship, or also known as clientelism, is a relationship in which an
individual of higher socio-economic status (patron) uses his own influence and resources to
provide protection or benefits, or both, for a person of lower status (client). We can’t deny
the fact that clientelism exists here in our country and embedded in history. This is because
clientelism gives advantage not only for the client but also for the patron. It also helps
politician to have higher chance of winning the election. Clientelism can be seen present in
political parties here in the Philippines. A lot of politicians have switched parties in pursuit of
resources allocated through clientelistic networks. Since 1987, an average of 33.5 percent of
all lower house representatives elected to Congress has switched parties and 60.2 percent of
these party switchers usually jumped into the party of the sitting president, hence receiving
presidential patronage. This results to a powerful alliance that dominates the Philippine
politics for decades. LDP during the term of late president Corazon Aquino, the LAMMP of
former president Joseph Estrada, and the most recent LP under former president Benigno
Aquino III are some examples of political parties where clientelism existed. This proves that
patron-client relationship exists in the Philippines and I think it will continue to exist in the
future.