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Homework 1
MPA-Thesis 2218 Public Policy Formulation and Implementation
Dr. Jose Agustin C. Cuenco

1. How do the agendas of important people (ex. President, Mayor, etc.) change
from one time to another, & how do they narrow their choices from a large
set of alternatives to a very few that are worthy of consideration? Choose a
particular public issue (set of issues) to answer the question.

Public officials like president down to mayors, prioritize issues based on a complex
interplay of factors. The severity and visibility of a problem are key. Imagine a surge in
crime rates or a natural disaster capturing headlines - these will demand immediate
attention. Public opinion, fueled by media coverage and advocacy groups, also plays a
crucial role. When citizens raise their voices or interest groups lobby intensely, decision
makers are more likely to take notice.
Essentially, issues gain prominence when triggered by major events, alarming data,
or persistent efforts from both government insiders like the president, congress, and other
bureaucrats and external forces like media, interest groups, and the general public. This
continuous interplay between internal and external pressures shapes the agendas of our
leaders. And according to Kingdon, there are three elements must come together for
significant agenda changes to happen.
First, the problem stream is about recognizing issues that need government attention.
Problems become visible through data, major events, or feedback on existing programs.
Second, the policy stream involves developing and refining possible solutions. Experts
and advocates discuss and debate ideas, and only those that are practical and align with
societal values get serious consideration.
Third on is the politics stream includes the overall political climate, such as public
opinion, campaigns by interest groups, election outcomes, and changes in leadership.
Political events and shifts in leadership can create or close opportunities for policy
changes for certain agenda. When these three streams come together, a policy window
opens, allowing policymakers to push for significant changes.
Like what we have in the Philippines the previous President Rodrigo Duterte identify the
problem on drugs, crimes, and corruption as a mainstream agenda. During Duterte's
campaign and early presidency, he highlighted drug addiction and corruption specially on
government agencies as major problems. He used alarming crime statistics and high-
profile drug-related crimes to create a sense of urgency among the public, making these
issues highly visible.
And the as a result Duterte made an aggressive policy stream which is anti-drug
and corruption campaigns, similar to what he had implemented as mayor of Davao City.
The policies were strict and focused on law enforcement and punishment rather than
rehabilitation. Many law enforcement agencies supported these measures, believing they
would quickly reduce crime and corruption.

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Due to this the politics stream under Duterte was marked by a significant shift on
the administration’s agenda. His tough stance on corruption, crime and drugs resonated
with many Filipinos, giving him strong political support. Despite international criticism of
his methods, his nationalistic rhetoric and focus on sovereignty helped limit the impact of
this criticism on his domestic agenda.
The convergence of these streams allowed Duterte to prioritize the war on drugs.
His administration focused narrowly on immediate, visible reductions in drug-related
crime, despite significant human rights concerns. This narrow focus allowed for decisive
action but also led to controversy.
Now, with Bongbong Marcos (BBM) as the current President, we see a drastic shift
in the government’s agendas. BBM's administration has had to address different issues,
marking a significant change from Duterte's focus on drugs, crime and corruption.
Under BBM he highlighted the economic recovery and modernization as the
problem stream. He focuses on much more issues on public concerns like inflation,
unemployment, and the need for infrastructure improvements have made these issues
prominent.
As for the policy stream BBM’s administration has proposed a variety of solutions
to address these problems. There is a strong emphasis on continuing and expanding
infrastructure projects to boost the economy, continuing the past’s administration’s Build,
Build, Build program. He also focused on agricultural reforms to ensure food security and
economic sustainability. Experts and policy advisors are also looking at ways to attract
more foreign investment and improve education and healthcare systems.
On the political stream the political environment under BBM has been marked by
his efforts to distance his administration from the controversies of the past and focus on
future development. He has sought to consolidate support from various political factions,
emphasizing unity and progress. Public opinion has been shaped by his promises of
economic revival and better governance.
The convergence of these streams recognizing economic recovery as a critical
issue, developing practical policies to address it, and navigating the political landscape to
garner support has allowed BBM to focus on rebuilding and modernizing the economy.
Unlike Duterte’s administration, which concentrated more on the war on drugs, corruption
and crimes, BBM's administration has had to tackle many issues, requiring a more
comprehensive and strategic approach.
However, due to these changes in the administration's agenda, we can observe
mixed results. While BMM’s focus on economic recovery and infrastructure made some
positive outcomes, it has also led to the reinvigoration of certain problems, such as drug-
related crimes, rape, and murders. Under Duterte, the aggressive anti-drug campaign
significantly reduced the visibility of these crimes, but it also faced criticism. In contrast,
BBM's broader focus means less emphasis on aggressive crime-fighting measures,
allowing some criminal activities to resurface.
Because of this agenda changes it illustrates a key challenge in policymaking,
balancing various priorities to address immediate concerns without neglecting other
important issues. The current administration's broader agenda reflects the evolving needs
of the Philippines, but it also underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance on all
fronts, including crime, corruption, and public safety.
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2. Why does agenda setting tend to be identified with a visible cluster of
participants, & alternative specification with a hidden cluster? Cite an actual
example from the public sector to answer the question. List down your
sources as bibliographic entries.

The process of setting agendas often involves visible groups of people, while
coming up with alternative solutions typically involves more hidden groups. Visible
participants, such as elected officials and well-known interest groups, are usually the ones
who bring attention to important issues. They engage in public discussions and use their
platforms to push for new policies. For example, politicians like the President or members
of Congress often promote policies that they believe will satisfy their voters and build their
reputations.
On the other hand, developing alternative solutions involves a hidden cluster of
participants. These include researchers, academics, and policy experts who work behind
the scenes to develop detailed options for addressing issues. Although they may not be
as publicly visible, their work is crucial in shaping the available policy choices. For
instance, researchers provide in-depth analysis of information and generate ideas that
influence the range of solutions and can be considered by decision-makers.
One of the examples is President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs in the
Philippines. During his campaign and presidency, fight against drugs a top priority. He
highlighted the severity of the drug problem through alarming crime statistics and
publicized drug-related violence, which gained extensive media coverage. This visible
cluster included Duterte, his administration, and the media, who all played significant roles
in bringing this issue to the forefront of the national agenda.
While the visible cluster set the agenda, the hidden cluster, which included law
enforcement agencies, policy analysts, and legal experts, worked on developing the
specific policies. These behind-the-scenes actors created the operational strategies, legal
frameworks, and implementation plans for the anti-drug campaign. Their input was crucial
in turning Duterte’s broad policy directives into actionable plans, including controversial
measures involving aggressive police actions.
The interaction between these clusters is evident in how the policy was developed
and implemented. The visible cluster succeeded in making drug abuse a national priority,
while the hidden cluster focused on detailing and executing the policies. However, as the
policy unfolded, it faced significant challenges and scrutiny, highlighting the complexities
in moving from setting the agenda to implementing the policy.
In conclusion, the distinction between visible and hidden clusters in policymaking
shows how different groups play essential roles in bringing issues to attention and
developing solutions. The case of Duterte’s war on drugs illustrates how visible actors set
the stage for policy action, while hidden actors work behind the scenes to develop and
implement specific measures.

All information shall be used by the University for legitimate purposes and shall be processed by
authorized personnel in accordance with the Data Privacy Policies of the UPHSD Las Piñas
Campus.
Alabang-Zapote Rd, Pamplona Tres, Las Piñas City, 1740 Philippines *Tel. No.: (+632)8871.06.39
www.perpetualdalta.edu.ph
Las Piñas Campus
 UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP
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Bibliographic Entries:
Kingdon, John W. Agendas, Alternatives, and Public Policies. Boston: Little, Brown, 1984.
Parreño, Earl G. Beyond Will and Power: A Biography of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2019.
Amnesty International. If you are poor, you are killed: Extrajudicial Executions in the
Philippines’ “War on Drugs”. London: Amnesty International, 2017.

All information shall be used by the University for legitimate purposes and shall be processed by
authorized personnel in accordance with the Data Privacy Policies of the UPHSD Las Piñas
Campus.
Alabang-Zapote Rd, Pamplona Tres, Las Piñas City, 1740 Philippines *Tel. No.: (+632)8871.06.39
www.perpetualdalta.edu.ph
Las Piñas Campus