PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Name: Dhenny Laureano Score:

Strand & Section: XI- HUMSS 2, Prophet Isaiah

I.

Every citizen shall have the right and the

opportunity, without any of the distinctions
mentioned in article 2 and without unreasonable
Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the
restrictions: (a) To take part in the conduct of
Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, public affairs, directly or through freely chosen
who are at least eighteen years of age, and representatives; (b) To vote and to be elected at
who shall have resided in the Philippines for at genuine periodic elections which shall be by
least one year, and in the place wherein they universal and equal suffrage and shall be held
propose to vote, for at least six months by secret ballot, guaranteeing the free
immediately preceding the election. expression of the will of the electors; (c) To have
access, on general terms of equality, to public
service in his country.

The basic qualifications for voting are:

- Filipino citizenship
- at least 18 years of age
- residence in the Philippines for at least one year
and residence in the place where the voter
intends to vote for at least six months are
exempted from the residence requirement if their
‘domicile’ remains in the Philippines and they
intend resuming residence in the Philippines
within three years of registering as a voter
II.

1. Is there a need to increase the qualifications of a person desiring to be a candidate for the Philippine political
offices? What are the advantages or disadvantages of the current list of qualifications to be a candidate for the
political offices?
- In the Philippines, the qualifications required by law for public elective offices are ongoing requirements that
must be met throughout the officer's active tenure. Additional qualifications and disqualifications can only be
imposed by the Philippine Congress. The potential advantages with it, it is more probable that representatives
of minority cultures/groups will be elected. When voting behavior is related to a society's cultural or social
divisions, electoral systems can help ensure that members of both majority and minority groups are
represented in the legislature. This is because the system can encourage parties to put together balanced
candidate lists that appeal to different ranges of voters' interests. The disadvantage was that it resulted in an
excessive concentration of power within party headquarters and the hands of senior party leaders, particularly
in closed-list systems. The position of a candidate on the party list, and so his or her likelihood of success, is
determined by currying favor with party bosses, while their relationship with the electorate is secondary.

2. Express your stand on whether there is a need to increase or decrease the age of qualified voters from the
present 18 years old.
- There is no reason, in my opinion, to change the voting age of qualified citizens. We can vote in any political
party if we are 18 years old, because that is when you are considered an adult. Being an adult implies not
behaving like a child. It means that you have overcome the majority of your negative childhood characteristics.
It means you've matured as a person, that you've grown, adapted, learned, and developed into a better version
of yourself. If you're mature enough, you'll be able to determine what's best for our country.

3. Is the party-list system relevant in providing representation to marginalized sectors in the society? Do the
criticism against this system have bases.
- Yes, it is relevant. Party-list representation uses the power of the tendency for proportional representation
systems to favor single-issue parties and uses it to allow underrepresented groups to participate in the
legislative process.Certain sector-based party-list organizations have also been co-opted by the traditional
political system or have served as a training ground for future influence-peddling traditional politicians. At the
end of the day, there appears to be no indication that the Philippines' party-list system has the capacity to ward
off traditional political elites in the national legislature and produce democratic principles. The party-list system
appears to have accommodated traditional political and elitist structures, if anything. At the same time, such
close connections to closeminded politics may limit the party-list system's ability to provide a platform that can
be an effective counterpoint to authoritarian tendencies.
 PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Name: Dhenny Laureano Score:

Strand & Section: XI- HUMSS 2, Prophet Isaiah

III.

Social Movements Civil Society Organizations

Case studies have shown that social Civil society organisations (CSOs)
movements can act as the first steps can provide both immediate relief and
towards developing a sense of self- longer-term transformative change –
identity and citizenship, which does not by defending collective interests and
necessarily emerge initially through Social
increasing accountability; providing
engagement with the state. They allow movements
and civil
solidarity mechanisms and promoting
individuals to turn grievances into a participation; influencing decision
sense of collective injustice, and then societies
pledge for making; directly engaging in service
action.
hh The paper below argues: A sense
change in the delivery; and challenging prejudice. In
of citizenship normally starts with
established this way, excluded groups can be
people’s own agendas – they create a
political identity around a matter that order of effective drivers of their own change
immediately affects their lives. Group society. by forming or participating in
membership amongst those who are organisations that represent group
marginalized and the sense of dignity and interests. CSOs also play an
solidarity that comes with this can important role in conducting research
stimulate people to aspire as a precursor to raise the profile of excluded groups.
to political engagement.
 PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Name: Dhenny Laureano Score:

Strand & Section: XI- HUMSS 2, Prophet Isaiah

Activity 1

Civil society organizations and social movements make significant contributions to the development of a
country like the Philippines.

First, civil society organizations and social movements are at the frontline of the fight against government
abuses (Filipino politicians coined the term "fiscalize," which is not even in the English Dictionary). These
organizations bring to light perceived government excesses and irregularities. Many government anomalies
would go undiscovered and unanswered if these groups did not assist and actively participate.

Second, civil society organizations and social movements promote reforms in government institutions and
good developments. For example, groups challenging the constitutionality of the Reproductive Health Care
Law have won a Supreme Court ruling upholding the right of doctors who are conscientious objectors to refuse
to prescribe contraceptives or refer patients to doctors who will, and declaring that some provisions of the RH
Law are threatening the family as a stable social institution.

Third, civil society organizations and social movements promote worthy causes such as environmental
protection and endangered animal species protection. Aside from education campaigns, several of these
organizations file applications in court for the grant of writs of kalikasan to stop pollution. They also teach
people about the importance of ensuring the survival and propagation of endangered animal species in order
to maintain ecological balance.

Fourth, instead of open conflict and violence, civil society organizations and social movements create a path
for conversation and agreement. Radical and violent movements and ideologies are prevented by them.
People have a choice other than employing arms to meet their demand. Citizens can impact reforms more
effectively and peacefully through civil society organizations and social movements.

Fifth, social movements and civil society organizations contribute in the reorientation of government goals and
programs. These organizations form pressure groups that aid the government in implementing its strategy. As
a result, these informal entities have some influence on budgetary and fiscal policies.

The value of these informal institutions to the country cannot be overstated; they act as change catalysts.
Without them, governments will be unable to function effectively. The unbalanced relationship between these
organizations and the government, on the one hand, is vital; without it, the state of affairs would persist. There
will be no motivation for growth and progress.

For most casual observers of the Philippine scene, the impressive “people power” demonstrations that led to
the overthrow of two presidents are the best evidence of the impact of civil society on politics. But since in both
instances military intervention was essential for a change in leadership, the true weight of civil society influence
is hard to measure. In any case, such influence was unstructured and temporary, without much carryover into
the subsequent administrations.

Most civil society organizations in developing nations, such as the Philippines, operate at the grassroots level
and engage actively with local actors and individuals. They can use their social mobilization skills and strong
presence in the local social network to solicit citizen feedback on government service delivery. In most sections
of the developing Philippines, community-based women's organizations exist. Where women cooperate and
aid one another as neighbors and community members, social movements grow. Working to improve the well-
being of its members is a sort of social cohesion that women have in abundance. Women's inherent ability to
foster trust fosters a sense of belonging, which can be a valuable asset in the fight against climate change.

The goal of Social Movement is to "end poverty in all its forms, everywhere." Poverty should be viewed as a
shortage of interconnected factors that result in physical and psychological lack of supply, lack of voice in
decision-making, vulnerability to environmental shocks, and low confidence and self-esteem.

In such cases, civil society organizations can support government poverty alleviation programs with
community-based, tailored assistance that employs evidence-based, innovative, and long-term solutions to lift
people out of poverty.
The effects of civil society organizations and social movements on the maintenance of democracy and good
governance can be positive or negative, depending on what those organizations and movements seek and do.

Government, no matter where it exists, does not exist in a vacuum. A government, whether democratic or
authoritarian, open and tolerant or xenophobic and repressive, is as much a reflection of the society in which it
exists as it is a rule-maker for how that society should be run.

With this in mind, non-governmental organizations and movements that promote "democracy and good
governance" are critical in any society for keeping the society open and tolerant, democratically, fairly, and
transparently run, and truly responsive to the needs of its citizens as expressed through the ballot box.
Unfortunately, there are NGOs and movements that seek to support authoritarian or totalitarian approaches to
governance, to excuse or justify leader abuses of power, or to protect vested interests at the expense of the
general public good. These kinds of non-governmental organizations and movements tend to undermine
"democracy and good governance," not just in the Philippines, but in any society.

The power of democracy is reflected in both civil society organizations and social movements. Their presence,
without a doubt, prevents the establishment of a dictatorship. Both serve as a constant check on the
government's alleged excesses.
 PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

Name: Dhenny Laureano Score:

Strand & Section: XI- HUMSS 2, Prophet Isaiah

IV. Essay.

1. How is a citizen different from a “naturalized-born citizen” based on the 1987 Philippine Constitution? Is such
difference significant? Elaborate your answer.
- Citizens are Filipinos who are either citizens or natives of the Philippines. Natural-born citizens are those who
are Filipino citizens by birth and do not need to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine
citizenship. The difference is significant because citizenship is a political and civil attribute as important as
freedom of speech, liberty of abode, the right against unreasonable searches and seizures, and other basic Bill
of Rights guarantees; however, naturalized-born citizens may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by
law, ensuring equal access to critically important benefits for older people and people with disabilities.

2. Why should responsibilities and be taught along with the rights of each citizen?
- Individuals who have a strong sense of personal responsibility are more likely to succeed in school, the
workplace, and society as a whole. A sense of responsibility is a trait that can be found in all aspects of life.
People who are accountable do what they say they will do. Because some citizens did not know what to do
when they learned of their rights, and others did not realize that they should not abuse their rights or they
would be sentenced to prison. It is important to know your rights so that you can defend them if someone tries
to take them away from you.