Philippine

Politics and
Governance
Lesson: Elections and Political
Parties
Lesson Objectives

Describe the nature of elections and political parties in the
Philippines

Identify the types of electoral systems

Assess the implications of the type of electoral systems on
politics and governance

Analyze the nature of elections and political parties in the
Philippines
Topics to be discuss

1 2 3
Political Party and
What are Elections? Electoral Systems
Party System

4
Current Structure of the
Electoral System
 #1
What are ELECTIONS????
Election….

 Elections are
device for filling a
governmental
office through
choices made by
the electorate.
Election….

 It is the means by
which the people choose
their
officials for definite and
fixed periods
and to whom they entrust,
for the
time being as their
representatives,
the exercise of powers of
government.
Roles and Functions of Election

1 Recruiting political leaders 5 Educating voters

2 Making governments 6 Building legitimacy

3 Providing representations 7 Strengthening elites

4 Influencing policy
Roles and Functions of Election

Recruiting political leaders


Through elections, politicians – people who poses
talents and skills relevant to electioneering – are chosen.
Roles and Functions of Election

Making governments

In the countries where executive is
elected, elections directly make
government. (It is the avenue in the
formation of government)
Roles and Functions of Election

Providing representation

In fair and competitive system, elections
become the means the means through
which people’s demand are channeled to
the government
Roles and Functions of Election

Influencing Policy

Elections may hinder the government from
pursuing unpopular policies. At times
when a single issue dominates the electoral
campaign, may directly influence policy
Roles and Functions of Election

Educating voters

Elections provide the electorate with
abundant information during the campaign
period and voting process.
Roles and Functions of Election

Building legitimacy

Elections provide justification for a system
of rule and thus help in fostering legitimacy.
It also mobilize active consent by
encouraging citizens to participate in politics
through election.
Roles and Functions of Election

Strengthening elites

It can also be a vehicle through which the
political elites can manipulate and control
the masses
 Electorate does not only
vote during the regular held
election, but also, exercise
their right to vote in the
following
Plebiscite Referendum Recall

Initiative
Plebiscite
●
A type of election wherein the people render decision to
accept or reject certain amendments to the Constitution
(Art. 12, Sec. 2). This is also used in determining the will
of the residents in a barangay or a local government unit
on a certain issues of concern (Art, 10, Sec. 10&18)
Referendum
●
A process wherein a law or part of a law passed by the
legislature or local legislative body is submitted to the
people for their approval or rejection (Art. 6, Sec. 32)
Initiative
●
A process whereby the people are given the opportunity
to directly propose or enact laws. This can also be used
by the people un proposing changes to the fundamental
law of the land.
Recall
●
A means by which local officials may be removed from
office even before the expiration of their term of office
by a vote of the residents (Art 10, Sec. 3)
 02
12

#2
Electoral Systems
 Electoral System

A set of rules that govern the conduct of elections (Heywood

2013). From questions pertaining to how elections should be
conducted to how a candidate wins, elections are guided by an
electoral system. Electoral systems are the ways by which
votes are translated into seats in the legislature or in any other
areas such as presidency
Types of
Electoral
Systems
Types of Electoral System
Majoritarian
electoral  Larger political parties win a higher
proportion of seats than the proportion
system of votes they gain in the election.
 Usually offer the voters a clear choice
of potential administration, invest
winning parties with a policy mandate,
and help promote a strong and stable
government
Types of Electoral System

Proportional  There is a guarantee of an equal or at

System least more equal, relationship between
the seats won by a party and the votes
gain in the election.
 Usually give the government a broad
electoral base, promote consensus and
cooperation among a number of parties,
and establish a healthy balance and the
legislative.
Functions of Electoral System

1
Translate the votes cast into seats won in a
legislature

2
Act as conduit through which the people can hold
their elected representatives accountable

3
Give incentives for those competing for power to couch
their appeals to the electorate in distinct ways
Under the presidential system of government in
the Philippines, the elections of the vice
president, the members of the Senate and House
of Representative, as well the local government
officials from provincial to the barangay level
elective posts follows the method for electing
the chief executive or the President of the
Philippines.
 Election of the Philippine President: Some Features and Dynamics
Features Description
Direct election  The chief executive is elected by
direct vote of registered votes
Plurality electoral formula (first-past-  The mathematical formula used for
the-post-voting system) determining the winner in a
multicandidate contest is simple
plurality. That is, the candidate who
obtains the greatest number of
votes, is proclaimed winner.
Single-member district magnitude  The entire country is one “electoral
district”. From this district is elected
one chief executive. The chief
executive office is “unitary”. There is
only one possible winner and only
one office to be filled.
Categorical ballot structure  Voters write only a single
candidate preference on
the ballot. He has an
either-or choice and
cannot rank order
preferences.
Candidate-based voting  Personalities, not parties, are
voted for.
Periodic concurrent elections  Every often executive and
legislative elections occur
simultaneously.
 #3
Political Party and Party System
Political Party…..

 A group of individuals aspiring for public position through electoral

or other means.
 A group of people that is formally organized for the purpose of
winning government power though electoral or other
 An organized group of citizens advocating an ideology or platform,
principles and policies for the general conduct of government and
which, as the most immediate means of securing their adoption,
regularly nominates and supports its leaders and members as
candidates for public office” (RA 7941 or the Party-List System Act).
Characteristics of Political Party
 Aims to exercise
government power by
winning seats in the
government
 Formally organized
bodies with “card
carrying”
membership.
Membership involves
taking of formal oath
Characteristics of Political Party
 Adopt a broad issue
focus and address
major areas of
government policy
 United by shared
political preferences
and ideological
identity to varying
degrees
Political parties are important not only because of their
functions that were mentioned. More importantly, the
complex relationship between parties helps in the structuring
of the political system. This network of relationship is
commonly referred to as party system.
Major Types of Party System
One- Two- Domina
Party party nt party
System System system

Multipar
ty
system
Major Types of Party System

 One-party system – only one party dominates and there is no

political competition between parties. Single-party systems are
characterized by the oppression of democratic freedom. (China, Nazi
Germany). Equated with dictatorial and tyrannical regimes
 Two-party system – there are two parties primarily dominate the
political landscape and smaller parties only play a subordinate role.
Right wing & Left wing
Major Types of Party System

 Dominant party systems – other parties are present but only one
party dominates and enjoys prolonged periods in power.
 Multiparty system – more than two parties compete for power over
time. It reduces the likelihood of a single-party government and
increases chances of coalition formation. (Canada ang Republic of
Ireland)
 Political
Parties during
the Post-
EDSA Period
Major Political Parties during the Post-EDSA
Period
● Lakas-NUCD-UMDP (LAKAS) – largest political party after Fidel Ramos
became the president in 1992
● Laban ng Makabayang Masang Pilipino (LAMMP) – headed by Senator
Edgardo Angara and its secretary general Senator Orlando Mercado.
● Liberal Party – Manuel Roxas founded this political party on January 19,
1946, from what once the Liberal wing of the Nacionalista Party.
The structure of the current electoral system is provided in the 1987 Constitution and the Omnibus
Election Code.

COMELEC is given the task to enforce election laws and exercise exclusive jurisdiction over the
qualifications of candidates, accreditation of political parties, and canvassing of votes.

The 1987 Constitution provides that the three branches of the government are separate and equal. The
president and vice president are elected separately by a direct vote of the people.

The Transitory Provisions of the 1987 Constitution qualities that “of the senators elected in the election
of 1992, the first 12 obtaining the highest number of votes shall serve for six year term (full) and the
remaining 12 for three years”.

In 1995, elected senators were given six-year ter.. Thus, 12 senators are elected every three years.
 The 1987 Philippine Constitution
contains the current political structures,
mechanism, and schemes of political
parties. Political history has played an
important role in shaping today’s legal
framework
 Activity. Picture
Analysis
 What issues regarding Philippine elections are they very critical about?
What are your views or thoughts?