Philippine Politics and Governance

Politics

• Politics is the activity through which people make, preserve, and amend the general rules under which they live.
• It is a process through which groups reach and enforce binding decisions.
• Politics involves conciliating different interests by giving them a share in power in proportion to their importance to the welfare and survival of the community.
• It is a set of activities that organizes individuals, systematically resolves disputes, and maintains order in society through the creation and enforcement of rules and government policy.
• Politics is an attempt by human beings to improve their lives and create the Good Society.

Government

• Government refers to the formal institutions through which a group of people is ruled or governed.
• It includes the people and organizations that make, enforce, and apply political decisions for a society.
• The purposes of government include:
  • Maintaining peace and order
  • Protecting persons and property
  • Administering justice
  • Promoting education
  • Preserving the state from external danger
  • Advancing the physical, economic, social, and cultural well-being of the people

Governance

• Governance is the exercise of power or authority by political leaders for the attainment of the well-being of their country's citizens or inhabitants.
• In the Philippines, the Datu and the Maginoos (Council of Elders) assisted in implementing rules, passing judgment, and maintaining peace and order.

The Spanish Government in the Philippines

• The Spanish established a centralized colonial government in the Philippines.
• The governor general, as the King's representative, exercised certain legislative powers.
• Local government units were created to facilitate administration, with two types: alcadia and corregimiento.
• Alcalde mayores represented the Spanish king and governor general in their respective provinces.
• Each province was divided into several towns or pueblos headed by Gobernadorcillos, whose main concerns were efficient governance and tax collection.

The Katipunan Government

• The Katipunan was a secret society that led the revolution on August 26, 1896.
• It was organized by Andres Bonifacio with a central government vested in a Supreme Council.
• Each province had a Provincial Council, each town had a Popular Council, and the Judicial Power was exercised by a Judicial Council.

The Philippine Government

• The President is the head of state and government.
• The term of the President starts at noon of the 30th day of June after the election.
• The President is required to take an oath before assuming office.
• Powers of the President include:
  • Executive power
  • Power of appointment
  • Power of control
  • Military power
  • Diplomatic or foreign relations power

Political Party

• A political party is an organized and presumably durable association of individuals or groups that endeavors to place its members in governmental offices.
• The purpose of a political party is to bring about the adoption of favored political policies or programs.

Types of Electoral System

• One-party system: a particular party is so much stronger than its competitors that it almost invariably wins control of the government.
• Bi or two-party system: two major parties compete with each other, and one or the other emerges as the victor in elections.
• Multiparty system: multiple parties compete with each other on relatively equal terms.

Civil Society

• Civil society is comprised of groups or organizations working in the interest of citizens, operating outside of the governmental and for-profit sectors.
• They champion issues of marginalized members of society, such as poverty, environmental protection, human rights, and labor rights.

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

• An NGO is a non-profit group that works toward social or humanitarian goals worldwide.

Civic Groups

• Civic groups are made up of people from the community who volunteer their time to raise money for community projects or needs.

Social Movement

• Social movements are defined as a sustained and purposeful collective mobilization by an identifiable, self-organized group.
• They are formed to establish a new order of life, promote or resist a change in the society or group of which it is a part.
• Social movements were decisive forces in democratic breakthroughs in the Philippines, particularly during the dictatorial regime of Marcos.

Understand the basics of politics and governance, including the definition of politics and its role in shaping the rules and decisions that govern society.