Philippine Politics and Government

POLITICS
- “who gets what, when and how?” as started by Harold can be viewed in the ff context…
Laswell, or in other words; who gets power, authority, and - corporate governance, international governance, national
leadership?
governance and local governance

politics is the…
- the exercise of power
GOOD GOVERNANCE
- science of government
is defined by…
- making of collective decisions
1. Focusing on legitimacy

- allocations of scarce resources

- government should have the consent of the governed

- practice of deception and manipulation

2. Accountability

to further understand politics, it must start by knowing some- - ensuring transparency, being answerable for actions and
thing about how people… media freedom

- acquire their political beliefs

- crucial requirement, required by not only governmental 

- values
institutions but also the private sector and civil society 

- notions how they act and should act politically
organizations

can also be viewed as… - must be accountable to the public and the institutional
- the process of making government policies
stake holders.

Characteristics of Politics (Shievely 2012)

3. Competence

‣ making of collective decisions for a group of people

- effective policy making, implementation and service delivery

‣ these decisions are made by some members of the group 4. Participation

exercising power over other members of the group

- maybe both men and women, must partake directly or 

indirectly having a representative in every governmental
POLITICAL SCIENCE process, participation is an essential cornerstone of good
- the systematic study of political and governmental 
 governance

institutions and processes (Ranney, 1995)

5. Rule of Law

- a discipline that seeks to understand the relationship 
 - means to say that the good governance manifested through
between individual and political institutions (organizations in the impartiality of fair legal framework

a government which create, enforce, and apply laws)

- ex: the promotion of a full protection of human rights and
- it is not only limited to the study of the state and 
 dignity

government, but also includes the society in a 
 6. Transparency

macro-perspective
- it means that decisions were taken and the..

The Science of Politics

a. enforcement is done in a manner that follows rules and
1. basic knowledge and understanding of the state and the regulations, it also means that

principles and ideals which underlie its organizations and b. information is freely available and directly accessible to
activities
those who will be affected by such decisions and their
2. it is primarily concerned with the association of human 
 enforcement

beings into ‘body politic’ or in a political community

c. it also means that enough information is provided in an
3. it deals with those relations among men and groups which easily understood form of media

are subject to control by the state with the relations of men 7. Responsiveness

and groups to the state itself and the relations of the state - good governance requires that institutions and process try
to another state
to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe

Stages in the Study of Political Science

8. Consensus Oriented

1. Religious State
- good governance requires mediation of the different 

- the government, its leaders and laws was considered as interests in society, to reach a broad agreement of what is in
divine or divinely inspired
the best interest of the whole community and how it can be
2. Metaphysical Stage
achieved

- an extension of the religious stage,

9. Effectiveness and Efficiency

- metaphysical thinking discard believe in a concrete God, it - processes and institutions produce results that meets the
was considered a human institution
needs of the society while making the best use of resources
3. Modern Stage
at their disposal. Also cover the sustainable use of natural
- the state was deemed capable of being improved by rulers resources and the protection of the environment

and subjects according to certain principles and laws

- voting
Politics vs Governance
‣ Government refers to the group of people that run the
GOVERNANCE country while politics refers to the process that this group of
- the process of decision-making and the process by which people follows to run the country.

decisions are implemented or not implemented

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Philippine Politics and Government
‣ The government’s affairs are rarely interfered with by the Functions of Ideology

influenced of the common people whereas politics would - essential

involve more people apart from the political group.
- powerful
‣ Government is limited in running the state while politics - addresses basic human psychological needs such as 

can also be found in education, corporations, and even 
 safety, freedom and community
religions.
- provides its believers with a sense of understanding history
and with clues about what kinds of things they should pay
POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES attention to or ignore
IDEOLOGIES Societal Role

- science of ideas
- answer eternal questions and cut off competing beliefs and
- a system of ideas and ideals
values

- a set of opinions or beliefs of a group or an individual

- explains how the universe works and why it works that way

Belief - tells us how to behave; they help us predict the future

- people’s assessment of reality and what they hold to be true

can come from many sources… IDEOLOGIES
- a person’s own experiences or experiments 1. Liberalism
- acceptance of cultural and societal norms; ex: religion - Latin word “Liber” meaning free men — meaning men who
- what other people say; ex: education or mentoring are neither serfs nor slaves

Values - more need for change and improvement in social relations

- people’s ideas about right and wrong
requiring governmental involvement

- important and lasting ideals shared by the members of a - society must be free from government intervention

curlew about what is good or bad and desirable or 
 - supports civil rights

undesirable
- accepts peaceful political, social change within the existing
- have major influence on a person’s behavior and attitude political system

and serve as broad guidelines in all situations

- man is generally goo

- ex: loyalty to your significant others when in a relationship, - man’s ability to reason allows him to attain economic, 

honesty in taking exams, respect for elders political and social progress

POLITICAL IDEOLOGY - ex: Gender Equality, Freedom of the Press, Freedom of

- oriented set of political ideas
Religion,

- ideas of ruling class

values and beliefs of Liberalism:
- political ideas that embody or articulate class or social 
 1. Individualism — belief in the supreme importance of
interests
the individual over any social group or collective body

- can be seen as commitments in order to change political 2. Freedom — ability to think or act as one wishes 

system
(individual, social group, nation)

Distinguishing Ideology vs. Ideas

3. Reason — the power of reason gives humans the 

1. Comprehensiveness capacity to take charge of their own lives and fashion
- covers ideas pertaining many great matters
their own destines

- human beings place in the universe

4. Justice — moral standard of fairness and impartiality,
- man’s relationships with the divine being
giving what is due to each person

- highest goals of the society and government

5. Toleration — willingness to accept views or action with
- the essential nature of people
which one is in disagreement

- best means of achieving the highest social and political 2. Conservatism

objectives
- derived from the term conservation

2. Pervasiveness (Prevalent) - advocates change only in moderation

- set of ideas has notably been known for a long time but has - upholding the value of tradition and seeks to preserve all
shaped the political beliefs and actions of many people that is good about the past

3. Extensiveness - ex: all American; man and women type of family, male and
- it is held by a large number of people and plays a vital role female bathrooms, the right to keep and bear arms

in nations and states political affairs

emphasizes…
4. Intensiveness 1. tradition

- commands a strong commitment from many of its adher- 2. established institution

ents and significantly influences political beliefs and actions

3. gives greater attention to social entities than to 

Characteristics of Ideology
individuals having the inclination to oppose any
‣ Provide an explanation for problems that confront modern changes in political environment

societies by providing futuristic vision

‣ Action oriented
‣ Mobilize a large number of people
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Philippine Politics and Government
3. Socialism themes of religious fundamentalism:

- from the Latin word “socia” meaning to combine or to share

‣ religion as politics

- an economic and political doctrine advocating 
 ‣ the fundamentalist impulse

governmental ownership
‣ anti-modernism

- system in which the production and distribution of goods ‣ militancy

and services is a shared responsibility of a group of people

7. Feminism
- there is no privately owned property
- basic idea: women experience a poor state in society as a
distinctive ways of understanding socialism:
consequence of the patriarchy and the male domination of
• an instrument of the labor movement
women, and that this disadvantage can and should be 

• a political creed the encompasses community, 
 overthrown

cooperation, equality, class politics and collective 
 8. Environmentalism

ownership
- it focuses on the idea that environment is endangered and
4. Communism must be preserved through regulation and lifestyle changes

- an economic, social, and political system seeking 
 - it is about reducing environmental segregation, that is more
government ownership of the production and services di- of a policy orientation rather than an ideological stance

rected by a process of scientific administration

- ex: Greta Thunberg

- an extreme left-wing ideology

- collective ownership and planed economy

THE CONCEPT OF POWER
- all members of society should work to their capability and Power
will receive according to their needs
- the ability to get someone to do something he/she wants to
- communism also rejects religion
accomplish, thus making things happen in the way he/she
- ex: China
wants

5. Fascism Influence: the process by which a person affects the behavior

- a movement that stands for outmoded, repressive social and feeling of another person

and political conditions rejecting democracy

- rejects constitutionalism and stresses that all values arise 3 Dimensions of Power
from the state against which the individual has no rights
- i.e. ways to use power

- characterized by dictatorial power

1. Channels
- rejecting equality and replaces the principle of hierarchy to a - the way in which power is enacted

supreme leader whose will is law

- can be more readily remembered as “head, hands, and
- ex: Adolf Hitler
heart”

‣ Physical Power
ATTRIBUTES COMMUNNISM SOCIALISM
- derived from material or physical advantage

all economic individuals own - it can come from strength or skill

resources are personal property - it can come from having weapons, which can be the
publicly owned and but all industrial and
ownership of controlled by the production capacity ultimate power of groups and governments (ex: war
economic regards government. is communally weapons)

individuals hold no owned and managed - may also come from having things that are not de-
personal property or by a democratically
assets elected gov signed to hurt people

- owning a building or a machine or even a sewing 


classes exist but
class is abolished. differences are needle are forms of physical power

the ability to earn diminished. it is ‣ Informational Power

class distinction more than other possible for some - derived from knowledge

workers is almost people to earn more

nonexistent than others - ex: If i know your weaknesses i could leverage this
knowledge when trying to persuade you, or maybe help
religion is effectively freedom of religion is
religion you learn and shore up those weakness

abolished allowed
- power often comes from the control of access to 

information where you can permit of offer access to
6. Religious Fundamentalism others

- it is associated with the inflexibility, dogmatism, authoritari- - knowledge is power as they say

anism or worse violence

‣ Emotional Power
- characterized by a rejection of the distinction between poli- - this is the social power of affect, using emotion to get
tics and religion
what you want

- refers to the belief of an individual or a group in the absolute - Charisma is a form of emotional power including the
authority of a sacred religious text or teachings of a 
 power of oratory and the use of subtle body language

particular religious leader, prophet, and or god

- ex: Jehovah’s Witnesses

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Philippine Politics and Government
- threats are often emotional in the effect they have, in - coercive power often works through fear and it forces 

fact most interactions between people include some people to do something that ordinarily they would not
form of emotional power
choose to do

2. Intent - ex: parents may also use coercion such as grounding their
- these form the intent of those of the person using power, child as punishment for noncompliance

helping or hurting others

4. Expert Power
‣ Positive Power - comes from knowledge and skills

- this is power used for good, with the intent of helping - ex: having more knowledge over another person gives them
others
an authority of power

- it is used to protect and nurture, or at least do no harm

5. Information Power
- it is based on love, care, concern, and pro-social values
- similar to expert but differs in its source

‣ Negative Power - experts tend to have a vast amount of knowledge or skill

- this power that is used either to directly harm other whereas information power is distinguished by access to
people or with no care or concern about them
specific information

- it is based either on greed and selfishness or on other - ex: knowing price information gives a person information
negative emotions such as fear and hate
power during negotiations

3. Deliberateness 6. Referent Power

- these are the deliberateness of power, the triggers which - stems from the personal characteristics of the person such
leads to peer being used
as the degree to which we like, respect, and want to be like
‣ Reactive Power them often called admiration

- this is power that is used in response to situations, for - ex: popularity of a politician/popularity and degree or how
example where a person has the power to say no or to much an audience can elate with said politician

restrict access in some form

- this power cannot be utilized that until someone else STATE, NATION, AND GLOBALIZATION
wants something that can be blocked
State
- in some countries, crimes are considered as being less - taken from the Latin stared (to stand)

so when they are deemed as being reactive. Thus, in - a political community that occupies a definite territory

France, “crimes of passion” are dealt with more 
 - has an organized government with the authority to make
leniently than over the water in Britain
and enforce laws without the consent of a higher authority

‣ Proactive Power Elements of a State

- this is power used consciously and deliberately, for 1. People
example using your physical strength to attack 
 - known as population or inhabitants

someone
2. Territory
- this is where Values, Morals, and Ethics are more 
 - refers to a portion of the earth which composed of aerial
significant, as they imply deliberately intent, 
 (air above), fluvial (waters around and connecting the 

premeditation and forethought
islands of the archipelago), and terrestrial (landmass) 

domains

Types of power Maritime terms:

1. Legitimate Power a. Territorial Sea — Coastal states have sovereignty, 

- power that came from one’s organizational role or action
including exclusive fishing rights (12 nautical miles)

- others comply with the request because they accept the b. Contiguous Zone — Coastal state can enforce its 

legitimacy of the position, whether they like or agree with customs, immigration and sanitation laws and exercise
the request or not
“hot pursuit” out of its territorial waters (24 nautical
- ex: a boss can assign projects, a policeman can arrest, a miles)

teacher assigns grades

c. Exclusive Economic Zone — State has recognized
2. Reward Power rights to explore, exploit, conserve and manage thee
- the ability to grant a reward, such as an increase in pay, a natural resources ( 200 nautical miles)

perk, or an attractive job assignment

d. Continental Shelf — Countries have exclusive rights to
- it tends to accompany legitimate power and is highest when natural resources up to 350 nm.

the reward is scarce

e. High Seas — “common heritage of humankind.”

- anyone can wield reward power however, in the form of 3. Sovereignty

public praise or giving someone something in exchange for - refers to supreme and absolute power within its territorial
their compliance
boundaries

- ex: raises and promotions

Types of Sovereignty
3. Coercive Power a. Internal — is the power of the state to rule within its
- the ability to take something away or punish someone for territory.

noncompliance

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Philippine Politics and Government
b. External — is the freedom of the state to carry out its legislature because they are elected directly by the
activities without subjection to or control by other people

states.
‣ Parliamentary — a form of government in which 

4. Government members of an executive branch (the cabinet and its
- refers to the institution or agency or instrumentalities leader; a prime minister, premier or chancellor) are
through which the state maintains social order, provide 
 nominated to their positions by a legislature or 

public services, and enforces binding decisions
parliament, and are directly responsible to it. This type
Form of Government of government can be dissolved at will by the parlia-
a. Distribution of Power ment by means of a no confidence vote or the leader of
‣ Unitary — Government power is held by one centra the cabinet may dissolve the parliament if it can no
authority. Ex: Philippines
longer function.

‣ Confederation — A voluntary association organization

of independent states that often only delegate a few An Independent State
powers to the central government. Ex: The Soviet ✓ has space or territory which has internationally recognized
Unions
boundaries

‣ Federal — Government power is divided between one ✓ has people who live there on an ongoing basis

central and smaller regions' authorities. Ex: USA

✓ has economic activity and an organized economy. A country
b. Citizen Participation regulates foreign trade and domestic trade and issues mon-
‣ Autocracy — form of government wherein one person ey

possess unlimited power. The citizen has limited, if any, ✓ has the power of social engineering, such as education

role in government. The leader is from a family or from ✓ has a transportation system for moving goods or services

a social class or from a strong party.

✓ has a government which provides public services and po-
• Monarchy — is a government in which the lice power

supreme power is lodged in the hands of a ✓ has sovereignty, no other state should have power over the
monarch who reigns over a state or territory, 
 country’s territory

usually for life a d by hereditary right; the monarch ✓ has external recognition, a country has been “voted into the
may be either a sole absolute ruer or a sovereign club by other countries”

(such as a king, queen, or prince) with 


constitutional limited authority
Inherent Powers of State
‣ Oligarchy — It is government by the few. sometimes a 1. Police Power
small group exercises control, especially for corrupt and - power of state to regulate freedoms and property rights of
selfish purposes. The group get its power from military individuals for the protection of public safety, health, and
power, social power, wealth religion or a combination. In morals of public convenience

here, the citizen has a very limited role. Thus, political 2. Eminent Domain
opposition is usually suppressed-sometimes violently. - power to take private property for public use upon payment
Ex: Communist Countries
of just compensation

‣ Democracy — a government based on the consent of 3. Taxation

the governed. the people are the sovereign, thus, they - power to impose tax on individuals and properties to 

hold the highest political authority. Citizens have free- support the government

dom to criticize their leaders because they are the one ‣ Tax - lifeblood of the government

who elected them in the position.

‣ Uniform Taxation - persons or things belonging to the
‣ Indirect — people directly elect their leaders who same class shall be taxed at the same rate

will govern them and perform governmental 
 ‣ Equitable Taxation - tax burden must be imposed 

functions
according to the taxpayers capacity to pay

‣ Direct — people will convene in a mass assembly ‣ Progressive Taxation - as the resources of the 

and directly formulate and express the will of the taxpayer becomes higher, his rates likewise increase

state. ex: Senators

c. Legitimacy Nation
‣ De Jure — a form of government wherein it has the - a social construction of a collective identity

people’s support and possess constitutional mandate. - an imagined political community that is imagined as both
Therefore, it is a legitimate government
inherently limited and sovereign

‣ De Facto — a form of government supported by the - it is considered limited/imagined because nations have “fi-
people but no constitutional mandate or legal support
nite, if elastic boundaries, beyond which lie other nations”

d. Executive and Legislative Relationship

‣ Presidential — a form of government in which 

executive branch exists separately from the legislature.
The president is constitutionally independent of the
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Philippine Politics and Government
Nation State - the Governor General has legislative powers, was the 

president of the Philippine Commission from 1901-1907

an ethnic concept a political concept - The Philippine Commission was the sole law making body
a large body of people united by of the government, this eventually became the upper house
an independent political entity
common origin, history, culture, with fixed geographic boundaries of the legislative department of the Philippine Assembly

ethnicity, or language IV. The Commonwealth Government

doesn’t have a fixed territory has a fixed territory - the Tydings-McDuffie Law in 1934 established the 

Commonwealth Government, it was a form of government
united by bonds and shared
history united by laws and regulations in transition toward independence

- it provided a ten year transition period after which the

a socio-cultural entity political legal entity Philippine independence would be proclaimed and 

established

- the Commonwealth Government was inaugurated on Nov.

Globalization 15,1935

- a process through which an increasingly free flow of ideas, - the first national election in the country was held on Sept.
people, goods, services, technology, and capital leads to 12,1935 — Manuel L. Quezon was the president, his Vice
the integration of economies and societies at a great speed was Sergio Osmena

in effect and outcomes

- the Commonwealth Government functioned in exile during
- things such as form, content, size and degree of power, in World War II in Washington, USA

all forms, have been radically altered and changes thanks to - the USA turned over to a Filipino President the full powers
the fast growth of information technology
and responsibilities of the Commonwealth Government 

under the 1935 Constitution

POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINES V. The Government Under the Japanese Occupation
I. The Pre-Spanish Government - the Japanese military administration was established in
- the early Filipinos had a government which they called
Manila on Jan. 3,1942

“Balangay”
- a civil government which was called the Philippine 

- the head of the leader was called Datu or Rajah, all the
Executive Commission was established with Jorge B. 

powers of the government were exercised by them
Vargas as Chairman

- he was the: chief executive, law giver, chief judge, and 
 - this civil government had legislative and executive powers
military head
but laws enacted though were subject to approval by the
- three social classes:

Commander-inChief of the Japanese forces

‣ Maharlika (nobles)
- on Oct. 14, 1943 the Japanese-sponsored Philippine 

‣ Timawas (freemen)
Republic with Jose P. Laurel as the president was 

‣ Alipin (slaves)
inaugurated

II. Government in the Philippines under the Spanish Rule - the ultimate source of authority was the Japanese 

- the government established in the Philippines was 
 Administrators, it was dissolved on Aug. 17,1945

centralized

- the national government was headed by a Spanish 


THE PRESIDENTS OF THE PHILIPPINES
Governor General
1. Emilio Aguinaldo (1898-1901)
- The Governor-General was considered the “Representative - The first President of the Philippines

of the King of Spain”

- He led the Filipinos in fighting against Spaniards and the
- Below the national government was the:

Americans.

‣ Alcadia (provinces) — headed by the Alcalde Mayor

2. Manuel L. Quezon (1935-1944)
‣ Pueblos (town) — led by Gobernadorcillo (little 
 - The first Senate president elected as President of the
governor)
Philippines.

‣ Barangays — led by the Cabeza de Barangay

- First elected in a national election.

III. Government During the American Regime - He made Tagalog\Filipino the national language of the
- the Americans started military rule in the Philippines on 
 Philippines.

August 14, 1898

3. Jose P. Laurel
- The POTUS delegated his authority to the military governor - Was the President of the Philippines during the Japanese
who exercised all powers of the government (as long as the
occupation in World War 2.

war lasted) — Executive, Legislative, Judiciary

4. Sergio Osmena
- The Spooner Amendment ended the military regime in the - He was the oldest president at 65 to hold office.

Philippines
- He rehabilitated the Philippine National Bank and the 

- it was then changed in civil government headed by a Civil
Philippines joined International Monetary Fund.

Governor

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Philippine Politics and Government
5. Manuel Roxas (1946-1948) 13. Joseph Estrada (1998-2001)
- The first President of the Third Republic and during his 
 - He was a famous movie actor, and became the President by
administration the Philippines started reconstructing war 
 a landslide victory in 1998.

damages.
- His election campaign “ERAP para sa mahihirap” won him
- A military assistance pact was signed in 1947 granting the votes of the masses.

United States a 100-year lease on designated military bases - He was removed from office though on January 20 2001, by
in the country.
EDSA Revolution 2 because of the controversial 

6. Elpidio Quirino (1948-1953) impeachment trial against him.

- Vice President Quirino ascended to the Presidency when 14. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2001-2010)
Roxas died 1948.
- The daughter of the late Diosdado Macapagal, she had this
- He ran for president in his own right in 1949 winning a four vision which she called “Sugpuin ang Kahirapan”.

year term.
- Her 9 year administration was marred with issues like 

- He served as the 2nd President of the Third Republic.
cheating in the Presidential election, poverty, etc.

- Noted as two objectives of his administration were 
 15. Benigno Aquino III (2010-2016)
Economic reconstruction and restoration of people’s trust.
- Son of former President Cory and national hero Ninoy
- He created rural’s trust.
Aquino ascended to the Office of the Presidency in 2010
7. Ramon Magsaysay (1953-1957) elections.

- Ramon Magsaysay succeeded Quirino but was not able to

finish his term as he died in a plane crash.

- He was immensely popular with the masses.

- He created a government of the people, by the people, for

the people.

8. Carlos P. Garcia (1957-1961)

- Carlos P. Garcia, the 4th President of the Third Republic
was known for his “Filipino First Policy”.

- He also implemented cultural revival and economic 


nationalism.

9. Diosdado Macapagal (1961-1965)

- His administration was known for its socio-economic 

programs, the abolition of tenancy and the establishment of
Land Bank.

- He sought closer relations with neighboring countries.

- He changed the celebration of Independence Day from July

4 to June 12.

10. Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986)

- Marcos became the President in 1965 and was reelected in
1969.

- Marcos declared Martial Law on Sept. 21 1972, by 


Proclamation No.1081.

- Marcos by virtue of Presidential decrees curtailed press

freedom, closed down Congress and media establishments.

- Opposition leaders and militant activities were arrested.

- He was considered as a dictator.

11. Corazon Aquino (1986-1992)

- Aquino became the first woman president.

- She lacked political experience but survived seven coup

attempts.

- She was responsible for the restoration of democratic 


processes and institutions in the Philippines.

12. Fidel V. Ramos (1992-1998)

- Declared a national reconciliation.

- He was known for his program “Philippines 2000” where he

attempted to make the Philippines a “Tiger Economy of
Asia”.

- During his administration capital punishment was 


re-imposed.

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