FERANIL, MELANIE JOY B.

Midterm Examination – Political Dynamics

Introduction:
Electoral processes in the Philippines may be placed in a flawed democracy, but they can also
encapsulate the common good. This paper ought to extend the Philippines’ electoral politics by assessing
its processes, effectiveness, party-list system, and implications for collaborative governance.

I. Process and Effectiveness of Philippines’ Electoral Politics

Election constitutes democratic ideals through the people’s votes. It serves as a starting point of
transferring governmental power to the masses. Particularly, through certain electoral processes,
politicians stood in a line of accountability, compelled to craft and implement policies that complement
public opinion. It is thus in this ideal token that electoral politics becomes effective.
In the Philippines’ context, electoral politics accentuates the need for democratic development. Under
the 1987 constitution, governmental positions are secured through a plurality system of the direct votes of
the people. Since 1935, the COMELEC serves as the frontline administrative body of all the Philippines’
electoral activities, hence electoral corruption is diabolized. Moreover, democratic development in
electoral politics also includes the 1991 Local Government Code, encapsulating the notion of laissez-faire.
However, as much as electoral processes seek democratic development, it is still placed first and
foremost in a flawed democracy. With the nation’s history as a subject of colonialism, orientalism, and
imperialism – the Philippines’ electoral politics have been imbued with elitism, nepotism, bossism,
clientelism, patronage politics, and political violence. The ruling class rustle up the significance of the
election, amid the people’s mendicancy, to complement their selfish imperialist interests. Corrupted
officials win, and festers democracy. Yet, rulers like Marcos, Estrada, and even Duterte – as they
exacerbated populistic tactics, had and will be ousted. Elections before, during, or after an authoritarian
reign serve as the mirror of re-democratization. Election serves as the greatest clamor, and the biggest
revenge of the people, thus its asserted effectiveness.

II. Importance of a Party-List System in a Democratic State

A Party-List system more so than ever is an imperative system as it concocts a healthy democracy. It
encapsulates “representation of the people’s will.” In countries such as Israel, Russia, and South Africa, a
party-list system opens up the political process beyond dominating political parties. It amplifies the voices
of the citizens: the oppressed, the disenfranchised, the indigenes, and the marginalized, in the Congress
and in the local government, which afterward progress a responsive, efficient government of the people.
In the Philippines, party-lists such as Gabriela, Kabataan, Makabayan, Anakpawis, etc. pose distinct
advocacies, yet one stance: vindication for each vulnerable and underdeveloped social sector. In
metaphors, the party-list system serves as the action-item system of the government. The system moreover
solidifies political parties into their dedication to embody platform-based politics, rather than opportunism
and populism.
In a democratic state, notions of fascism, tyranny, and authoritarianism have no space. A Party-List
system in a democratic state, as the moral compass of the entire governmental body, forwards
development, and asserts advocacies; ensures that each group/sector is well represented; creates no space
for state-neglect and other notions of authoritarianism that represses activism politics.

III. Election and Collaborative Governance

Being well politically conscious is not an individual’s task; by design, it should be entrenched in a system
that ought to vindicate democratic ideals. One implication as to why detriments and corruption like this
persists is because of the ruling class’s fear to not be rulers. The election is the most powerful force that
propels people’s participation. Election amplifies the people’s ability to engage in public-management
affairs. Voting means exercising political participation; it is people’s governance, more so than ever.
On the other hand, with every failed electoral/political experience, the people have, the more agitated
and vindictive they could be. A proletarian cause is rallied, and the majority demands for their stability. For
instance, at the dawn of populist “Dutertismo,” electoral processes come back to light. Whilst Duterte
dynasty is campaigned by unseen trolls, Duterte’s political allies start to back off. The “Rise-of-Duterte”
notion now falls, with his regime’s downright, persistent impunity, fascism, and dictatorship. By the same
token, an anti-Duterte coalition remains firm on its campaign to abrogate “Dutertismo,” and unite all the
Filipinos for the coming election.
It is in this token that election results in collaborative governance. The people now know about
collectivism, collaborative social learning, provisions for a cross-boundary alliance, and conflict-resolution.
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