THE POLITICAL RIVALRY

In partial fulfilment of the requirements

in English 10

Castro, Althea Lois L.

Gr. 10 – Faith

2019
Political Rivalry

Thesis Statement:
This thesis will show what is happening when there is a political rivalry and the effects
on the life of the politician and his constituents and the people living on the same
community or provinces.

I. What could happen when there is a political rivalry

A. Killings due to Political Rivalry

The Philippines is known for its rough-and-tumble political scene. Politicians
are routinely killed and sometimes they even do the do the killing
themselves.
1) MANILA - The number of politically-motivated killings doubled last
year compared to 2017 as the election period drew nearer, data
from the Philippine National Police showed. The PNP said there
were 38 political killings classified as homicide cases under
investigation in 2018 compared to 19 cases in 2017. Among
those recorded were the killings of General Tinio, Nueva Ecija
Mayor Ferdinand Bote; Trece Martires, Cavite Vice Mayor Alex
Lubigan both killed in July 2018; Buenavista Bohol Mayor Ronald
Tirol in May 2018 and Ronda, Cebu Vice Mayor Jonnah John
Ungab in February, 2018.

B. Political Violence
Political violence is not confined to candidates running in elections that
threaten the oligarchy status quo. It can strike sitting politicians—and
innocent bystanders.
1) In December 2013, Al Jazeera reported: “Gunmen have shot
dead a town mayor and three other people at the airport in
Manila, sending travellers fleeing for safety, authorities said. Ukol
Talumpa, the mayor of the town of Labangan in Zamboanga del
Sur province, was killed together with his wife,an 18-month-old
baby and one other person, Al Jazeera's Jamela Alindogan
reported from Manila on Friday. Four other people were wounded
in the incident, airport manager Jose Honrado said. [Source: Al
Jazeera, December 20, 2013]
 C. Political Dynasty
School counselor Evelyn Dioquino said that the proliferation of political
dynasties was a cultural issue and other candidates stood little chance
because clans "have money, so they are the only ones who can afford (to
run). Of course, if you have no logistics, you can't run for office." Critics worry
that a single family's stranglehold on different levels of government could
stymie checks against abuses and corruption. A widely cited example is the
2009 massacre of 58 people, including 32 media workers, in an ambush
blamed on rivalry between powerful clans in southern Maguindanao province.

D. Political Alliance
Political parties are supposed to perform the important functions of candidate
selection, leadership formation, interest aggregation and agenda
development. But in the Philippines, parties can be best described as
“temporary political alliances.” Some would even go to the extent of saying
there are no real parties in the country and what we have are mere “fans club”
of politicians.

E. Political Patronage (Palakasan/ Bata System)

1) Under the traditional "utang na loob" system of patronage, or obligation
earned through favors, voters expect money or jobs in return for their
political support.

2) Nowadays in Philippines, it is very difficult to acquire a job in the

government. Even though you have the qualities, abilities, and capabilities
that match the criteria for a certain job you're applying for, sometimes it just
not enough to get the job. That's because you don't have what they call a
"backer", it's a certain people in the government with a high position or
ranking that supposedly one of your relatives, friends or acquaintances.
There are lots of people getting hired easily in the government even
though they don't have what it takes for that certain position, but they
made it possible because of their contacts(red tape) in the government. It
is what you called the "Palakasan System" that run for so long. It's very
unfair and disappointing to those honest and deserving Filipino job-
seekers who aim to work for the government.

II. Effects

A. Effect to Politician
1) Killings due to Political Rivalry
The Philippines is known for its rough-and-tumble political scene.
Politicians are routinely killed and sometimes they even do the do the
killing themselves.
 2) Corruption
Corruption handicaps the growth of developing nations more than
any other cause. It occurs as a result of original sin that plagues the
heart of every person. It is a social problem that attacks our daily
commercial and legal transactions. It undermines our ability to make
an honest living and care for our families.

1) President Rodrigo Duterte’s death squads have killed the

democratic process in the Philippines, and they haven’t
killed the system that reproduces and perpetuates
corruption.In fact, the Philippines is getting more corrupt
under Duterte, dropping 13 notches in the 2017 Corruption
Index published recently by Transparency International.

B. Effect to constituent and the people living on the same community

1) Protests and Demonstrations
Describing a Manila protest against President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo in 2006, Nicola Menzie of CBS wrote: “Riot police used water
cannons and truncheons to break up a rally by more than 1,500
protesters as they demanded President Arroyo be removed from
office. The protesters appeared emboldened by the success of
similar protests in Thailand that led to Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra's resignation from office. The demonstrators reported
several injuries as a result of police using wooden sticks, fiberglass
shields and water cannon spray in order to force them away from a
bridge leading to the presidential palace. Rallies have been banned
in the area, which has been the scene of recent clashes between
police and demonstrators. Leftist groups have vowed to continue
protests and are calling for Arroyo's ouster over corruption and vote-
rigging allegations. [Source: Nicola Menzie, CBS, April 6, 2006]

2) Easiness or hardness in finding jobs in government offices

a) Iamthur.blogspot.jp reported: “How to get a job in the Philippine

Government provided that there is a vacancy? First, you must be
a Filipino citizen. Then, you should have a bachelor's degree
related to the job, certification of eligibility from Civil Service
Commission, experience related to the job, and other documents
as the office/agency concerned may require. But in these days,
there is a big problem. In a partisan system if they suspect you for
not voting for a certain winning candidate, your chances to get
hired even though you're qualified is lame. That's sad but true.
[Source: iamthur.blogspot.jp ==]
 b) Nowadays in Philippines, it is very difficult to acquire a job in the
government. Even though you have the qualities, abilities, and
capabilities that match the criteria for a certain job you're applying for,
sometimes it just not enough to get the job. That's because you don't
have what they call a "backer", it's a certain people in the
government with a high position or ranking that supposedly one of
your relatives, friends or acquaintances. There are lots of people
getting hired easily in the government even though they don't have
what it takes for that certain position, but they made it possible
because of their contacts(red tape) in the government. It is what you
called the "Palakasan System" that run for so long. It's very unfair
and disappointing to those honest and deserving Filipino job-seekers
who aim to work for the government.

3) Broken promises (from campaign period)

Promises are generally not kept. Arroyo, for example, pledged to
bring cheap power to the poor as a campaign pledge and then
doubled power rates after she was elected. She also promised not to
run for a second time but changed her mind because she said God
made her decide to run.

4) Financial assistance to community projects

Funding for community projects would mostly be given to those who
voted the politician.