1

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale of the Study

Thirty years ago on February 22, 1986, the late Jaime

Cardinal Sin made an urgent call on church-owned Radio Veritas

for Filipinos to take to the streets and support the revolt against

the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos. For most Filipinos, the

late Cardinal Sin’s message was what started the People Power

Revolution with hundreds of thousands of supporters forming a

human barricade between Camp Crame and Camp Aguinaldo

thereby protecting the “rebels” – former President Fidel Ramos and

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile. It was a show of force and a moment of

truth for a nation that wanted freedom from the twenty-year

Marcos dictatorship. Had people not responded to the late

Cardinal’s call, Philippine history might have been very different

(Templo 2011).

Philippines has been dubbed as a Catholic nation, but

still other religions play a major role during election. During

election, politicians compete to gain the support of a religious

 2

leader to have a bigger chance of winning a seat in the office.

Known to command the votes of their flock, religious groups have

actively endorsed candidates. The support of religious organization

can gain victory of the candidate. Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) and El

Shaddai are two religions who are known to deliver “block vote”.

Politicians have been courting these two religious institutions every

election to gain their support (GMA 2007).

An exit poll conducted by the Social Weather Stations during

the 2004 presidential elections showed how solid the INC vote was.

INC's voting strength at the time was estimated at 3 percent. This

means that out of more than 33.5 million registered voters who

cast their votes in 2004, about one million were members of INC.

Based on the SWS exit survey, El Shaddai voters went against their

leaders' endorsement and instead expressed preference for FPJ

who gathered an estimated 53% of the El Shaddai votes. A mere

23% of El Shaddai voters followed their leader’s endorsement,

while another 16% voted for Lacson.

The electorate’s religious conviction has always been a major

factor when it comes to their voting preferences. All of the

electorates know it at some degree, and yet they don’t fully

 3

comprehend why and how it influences them. Even with the vast

knowledge that the academe has gather through the research of

other scholars, we still have yet to grasp and fully understand

these phenomena.

Religion has always been part of life. Even with the

separation of the church and the state, politics and religion have

always been intertwined in one way or the other.

While one may argue whether or not the Roman Catholic

Church can still influence its faithful on how to choose candidates,

citizens cannot argue that religion has an influence on our voting

preferences, but we do not know how big the influence of a

religious institution on its faithful members is. Still, politicians

continue to recognize its influence.

The aim of this research paper is to understand the impact of

selected religious denominations on voting preferences of the

electorate.
 4

Related Literature and Studies

Greely (2004) said that a combination of media experts and

religious leaders have argued that “religion” and “moral values”

have taken on a new importance to political life. And many of the

commentarists are announcing that religion dominates or will soon

come to dominate American political life.

Moral values are considered to be ultimate values of all

times. These values cannot be seen only with religious affiliations

but can be evident to other groups of people as well. Complexity

had created change. Religion fills in the vacuum persuading

decision making policies of the legislature. It is somewhat looking

through the perspective of positive effects for everyone (Greely

2004).

Fastnow, Grant and Rudolph (1999) looked at the effect of

religion in the House of Representatives to see how religion

affected vote choice. It was found that “members” votes represents

both their (the representative) own religious affiliation, and the

religious groups within their districts, that we also expect religious

tradition to affect the general ideological orientation of members.

 5

In this regards, the voting preferences among the masses affect

the behavior of Congress. Membership in a religious organization

affects particular and general voting preferences. Each organization

may be different from one another but they have one goal – to

select candidates who deserve to be in the office. Over time,

religion has gone through changes. Religious beliefs are considered

virtual among members of a certain religious denomination

(Fastnow, Grant and Rudolph 1999).

Gibbs (2005) hypothesized that some issues were more

important to religious voters than secular voters and that certain

religious groups would be more inclined to vote on certain issues

than the religious or non-religious groups. Some religious groups

endorsed an electoral candidate who can give them the results

they prefer.

Religion was studied as one of the most important predictors

of vote choice already in the classical works (Lazarsfeld et al.

1944; Berelson et al. 1954; Campbell et al. 1960) and religious

cleavage has been identified as one of the four major cleavages in

West European societies (Lipset and Rokkan 1967). Time passed

and the study of religion as predictors of vote choice was ignored

 6

for a while (Broughton and Ten Napel 2000), the interest in

religious cleavage has been renewed.

Numerous studies have been done and confirmed the

continued importance of religion for electoral preferences (e.g.

Rose and Urwin 1969; Rose 1974; Lijphart 1979; Manza and

Brooks 1997; Van der Brug et al. 2009: 1279; Norris and Inglehart

2011: 201). Contrary to the secularization theory, some studies

have found that the religious cleavage have persistent over time

(e.g. Knutsen 2004; Elf 2007, 2009), some even expect it to be

growing importance in the years to come (Olson and Green 2006).

In a diverse settings as the USA (e.g. Manza and Brooks

1997); Canada (Johnston 1985), Australia (Clive 1999), in EU

elections (Van der Brug, Hobolt, and de Vreese 2009), and all over

Western Europe (Broughton and Ten Napel 2000a), religion has an

important but varying effects on voting preferences. The

differences between religious groups and non-believers are

immense, especially for Christian and openly secular parties (e.g.

Elff and Rossteutscher 2011).

According to the survey conducted by the Pew Research

 7

Center, in the year 2008 and 2012 Republican Primaries candidates

in the USA who appeal to the religious voters and attended

religious serviced at the highest levels, and his attendance increase

so does the probability of the religious voters preferred him to be

their candidate. If the people see the candidate as a God fearing

man the more likely the people will vote for him.

Fastknow (1999) stated that “members votes represents

both their [the representatives] own religious affiliation, and the

religious groups within their districts”. Religion does not only

influence the voting preferences of the electorate, but also the

government officials they vote for. Government officials know why

the people prefer them as their representative more than the

other, and by knowing why people vote him/her, he/she can serve

better because he/she knows what the people prefer.

Other prominent liberals, such as Peter Costello, contended

that a government should remain religion-neutral and support

religious freedom, as all people of faith have a contribution to

make to society (Stewart 2006).

 8

In the context of liberal and religious theories of

engagement, Australia has shown that in practice, it supports a

party-politics theory of engagement which is a unique blend of

liberal and religious theories combined. Under this theory, the

practice of church and state relations is influenced by the political

party that is in government. Religion is a private and public matter.

Public discussions are couched in secular and religious language.

For example, Kevin Rudd has linked Christian principles with Labor

industrial relations policies. In contrast to liberal and religious

theories of engagement, this theory shows that religion is public

and political, and unable to be practiced in a ‘neutral’ or inclusive

way in federal legislation (Charlotte Baines 2008).

Raymond (2011) said that many political experts consider

voters around the world as “floating without party loyalties,” and

that religion does not influence voters. Raymond’s new study says

religion still has a large impact on how people vote and helps

define many of the platforms represented in the party system.

Barnas (2016), Barna’s survey finds that none of the ten

sources of influence are considered to have “a lot of influence” on

who people will support for President by even as few as one out of
 9

every five respondents. The top-rated sources of influence are a

person’s religious beliefs (18% say that had “a lot of influence”)

and family members (10%). The other eight sources examined fall

within the five to eight percent range.

Kellstedt and Smidt(1992) found four conclusions regarding

their study. First, was that there has been a shift in partisanship of

evangelical voters to the Republican Party. Second, white

evangelicals have become more politicized during the past decade.

Third, there is a growing divergence between the voting patterns of

white evangelicals and white non-evangelicals, with evangelicals

being more likely to cast their ballots for the GOP presidential

candidate. They concluded that the south may be one region

where there is a growing split between the voting behaviors of

evangelicals and non-evangelicals. The Republican Party holds a

sizable advantage in leaned party affiliation among white voters.

When it comes to gender and partisan preferences, the Republican

Party has a significant advantage in leaned party identification

among men, an edge that has widened in recent years. Many

evangelicals do not see themselves as evangelicals, even though

outsiders would define them as such. They consider themselves as

 10

Southern Baptists, or Nazarene, or Assemblies of God or

Charismatic or some other denomination. Some only know that

they attend that church down the street. As a result of this growing

divergence, southern evangelicals seemingly have begun to reflect

more closely the patterns evident among non-evangelicals.

Fox and Richardson (2001) used four variables to look at the

voting behavior associated with abortion “religious affiliation, party,

age, and rural-urban constituency”. They found that religious

affiliation was a better predictor of voting behavior than any of the

other three variables. They also inaugurate some of the key beliefs

regarding abortion. The Catholic Church opposes laws that support

the abortion. The Protestants usually do not support laws

supporting abortion, although it frequently depends on the law, the

Mormons also do not support abortion due to their notions

regarding life. Hence, these beliefs act as glue for people to affiliate

themselves with a certain set of practices rituals idiosyncrasies and

provide a purpose and a reason to think in a particular way. They

found that the only variable that consistently allowed forecast of

voting behavior is religious affiliation. Religious affiliation is always

the finest predictor, even though in some cases its effect is small.
 11

Although, there are some religious groups who have a stronger

stance than others regarding the abortion issues, but those who

have religious affiliation are more about appropriate to vote against

abortion that those without a religious affiliation. Humans have this

tendency to refurbish old practices which do not fall into their

dogma.

Brooks and Manza (1997) ranged over theses such as the

Christian right thesis, the catholic Dealignment thesis, and the

Liberal/Mainline Protestant Dealignment thesis. In the Christian

Right Thesis, they discussed the realignment of the conservative

voters of a Protestant domination, and in the Catholic Dealignment

Thesis, they looked at the Prospect of catholic voters to a neutral

position from a formerly Democratic position.

They (Brooks and Manza 1997) also explained that in the

Liberal/Mainline Protestant Dealignment Thesis the extremely

Republican religious voters were often overrepresented. It was also

concluded that it is infrequent event for a major party’s presidential

candidates, that religion had a keen influence on the party

affiliation and voting tendency of individuals.

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THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to examine voting preference under the

lens of conviction. Specifically, it answers the following questions:

1. How inclined are the respondents in the respective religious

conviction?

2. What are the voting preferences of the respondents?

3. What role does religion play in voting?

Significance of the Study

The significance of this study is to deepen our understanding

why religion still matters in our decision on picking our electoral

candidate, even with the separation of church and state, and why

religious leaders wield considerable influence over their followers to

dictate them on who to choose as their electoral candidate.

 13

The religious institutions, for them to serve better and

understand that their church and teachings have an impact in their

member’s preferences in choosing and electoral candidate.

Knowing their members preference, they can advertise the right

candidate.

The Electorates, for them to gain awareness that their

religion has an influence in their preferences in choosing an

electoral candidate preference directly or indirectly. They can use

this awareness in the future to choose their candidate wisely.

The Future Researchers, who will continue the study to

next level. This study could serve as a reference for a relative

study associated with religions’ influence on voting preferences.

The Government Officials, for them to understand why

religions have a big impact on why the people choose their leader.

Understanding why people choose their leader can help the leader

in policy making and serve the people better.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

This study utilized qualitative approach using expository

design in which the interviewer and the interviewee were able to

discuss religious conviction within Cebu City. Expository qualitative

is a type of writing that is used to explain, describe, or to give

information. So, this design helped the researchers come up with

organizing the text around a topic with various numbers of

methods addressing analysis to come up with answers that helped

the study, and also develop according to a pattern or combination

of patterns. Themes were extracted in the analysis.

Research Environment

The research study was conducted in the selected religious

organization within the Cebu City area for key informants. The city

is a site that have multiple religious institutions. It provided a great

source of key informants.

 15

Research respondents

The researchers selected the key informants through

purposive sampling. The key informants were active religious

leaders of each religious organization who voted at least once in

Cebu City after the effectivity of the 1987 Constitution. Some

religious institutions were not included in this study, such as INC

and Jehovah’s Witnesses because they refused to be interviewed

and of Jehovah’s Witnesses due to they don’t vote.

Research Instrument

Research presented the guide questions that allowed us to

conduct an interview, which did not limit the respondents to

discuss and raise issues related to the research topic. It used open-

ended questions to encourage respondents to think, express, and

provide information based in their own words. With this, the

researchers obtained meaningful information from the respondent,

for its transparency allowed them to answer questions that were

 16

related to the study and to provide detailed accounts of their own

experiences. The researchers also utilized voice recorder as

permitted by the respondents.

Research Procedure

The researchers asked permission from the key informants to

conduct the study. They interviewed the key informants, based on

the questions the researcher created.

Gathering of Data

The researchers conducted interviews within the area of Cebu

City for respondents who were active leaders in a certain religious

organization. The researchers transcribed the recorded interviews

and then plotted the themes extracted from the interviews of each

respondent. The researchers also went to libraries and conducted

research through utilizing resources extracted from books and

journals in relation to views and documentaries analysing the

religious impact to voting preferences of the electorate.

Treatment of Data

In collecting the data, researchers interpreted and analyzed

the data through thematic analysis. Thematic Content Analysis is

 17

one of the most commonly used form of analysis in qualitative

research. It easily answers questions related to people's view and

perceptions and questions related to understanding and

representation.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

The definitions below would elaborate some important

terminologies on this research study. Significance of this chapter

would synchronize common understanding among researchers of

this study and the common public.

Electorates refers to the people who exercise the right of

suffrage.

Religious Conviction refers to the strong belief or opinion

of a person.

Religious Impact refers to the influence of religion,

religious beliefs, and/or the religious institution itself, and the

influence it has in the masses preference directly or indirectly.

Religious Institution refers to the visible and organized

manifestation of practices and beliefs in particular social and

 18

historical contexts.

Voting preference refers to what the people liked better or

best, used or wanted in preference to others; a preferred candidate

over the other.

CHAPTER II

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Based on the information and data gathered and the usage of

analysis, the researchers were able to draw out three themes that

described the religious impact of the voting preferences of the

electorate. All of these themes laid out ways for the researchers to

easily understand how pertinent and essential the answers of the

respondents were because of the mere fact that citizens had

various preferences in voting either national or local seats for

public office.
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Prevalent Themes

Themes Verbatim Responses Translated

Responses

Respondent 1 Respondent 1

“I would like to advice I would like to advice

that voters should elect a that voters should
candidate who also elect a candidate who
Creed believe in GOD” also believe in GOD.

Respondent 4 Respondent 4

“if the man will divert if the man will divert

from Christian doctrine I
will not vote for that man,
for example, a Muslim
candidate, how can I vote
for him if his beliefs are
anti to my religious belief,
how can mix that, but,
Catholic yes, I want a
common belief there is
God, so its a matter of
biblical understanding”
from Christian doctrine
I will not vote for that
man, for example, a
Muslim candidate, how
can I vote for him if
his beliefs are anti to
my religious belief,
how can mix that, but,
Catholic yes, I want a
common belief there is
God, so its a matter of
biblical understanding.
 20

Respondent 3 Respondent 3

“I prefer a Baptist like I prefer a Baptist like

me.” me.

Respondent 6 Respondent 6

“Bilang isang muslim Being a Muslim I will

pipiliin ko ang isang choose a Muslim too.

Muslim din”

Respondent 6 Respondent 6

“Bakitakosaisangtaonawal Why would I vote for

angdiyos? Wala
siyangpaninindigan kung someone who doesn’t
Belief in God walasiyangpinapaniwalaan
.Wala siyangbasihan.’’ believe in God? He

doesn’t have an

affirmation if he does

not believe in any

God. He doesn’t have

any basis.

Respondent 4 Respondent 4

“No, I prefer a man that No, I prefer a man

believes in God, what can that believes in God,
an atheist help our what can an atheist
government ungodly help our government
teachings”. ungodly teachings.
 21

Respondent 1 Respondent 1

“There should be a God in There should be a God

governance because
without God our country
will collapse, if a leader
has no God in himself he
cannot guide us and he
cannot bring our nation to
progress”.
Respondent 1
in governance because
without God our
country will collapse, if
a leader has no God in
himself he cannot
guide us and he
cannot bring our
nation to progress.
Respondent 1

“Religion influence me so Religion influence me

much in choosing the so much in choosing
leaders for the country”. the leaders for the
country.

Religious Respondent 4 Respondent 4

Influence “out from knowledge from out from knowledge

religion, GOD, the bible’s from religion, GOD,
influence, that how you the bible’s influence,
run the government that how you run the
according to the proper government according
directing of the to the proper directing
government your of the government
influence and religious your influence and
teachings of course will religious teachings of
help you guide the course will help you
people, it’s like that.” guide the people, it’s
like that.

Respondent 6 Respondent 6

“Napaka halaga po ng Religion is very

relihiyon bilang isang important to a Muslim,
Muslim, kaming mga we as muslim, religion
muslim napaka halaga po is very important
 22

ng relihiyon, patungkol sa because it dictates

mga ganitong activities what a Muslim must
kasi ang Muslim ay act and say.
nakasalalay o nakasabi sa
relihiyon sa kanilang mga
Gawain.’’

RESULTS

The respondents are very inclined to their religious conviction

when it comes to voting. Obviously by simple comparison, majority

of the respondents confirms that the electoral candidate that they

prefer for public office would have a similar religious affiliation to

them. Their respective denominations created a guideline that help

them make decisions at hand, especially in choosing the electoral

candidate to vote. Their individual freedom of choice are their

responsibility. Hence, all of the respondents prefer an electoral

candidate who are believers, the on the respondents that religious

conviction is important.

All of the respondents prefer an electoral candidate who

believes in a God or a higher power. When we asked them if they

would consider voting for an atheist, all of them said no. They all

believe that a non-believer would have nothing good to offer for

the country. Even though the churches or religious institutions in

 23

the country could not meddle with the affairs of the government,

because of the separation of church and state, a leader should

have God in mind in making decision for our country.

There is a great impact of the respective conviction to the

voting preferences of the respondents because majority of them

consider voting for electoral candidate whom their religious leader

would recommend. Along with the freedom of being able to vote,

the respondents show that they are choosing a path. A path

associated with problems of various spheres of living, by voting the

right candidate. Thus, it helped them pick the electoral candidate

base in their religious belief to vote during elections.

I. Creed

Creed , based on the data gathered it is define as a system of a

Christian or other religious belief ; faith that aims to guide

someone’s actions , showing how deep their religious conviction to

their own religion and religious beliefs.

The respondents were very incline in their respective religious

conviction, the likely favour a political candidate who believes in

God, have the same religious beliefs, or have the same religion as
 24

them. They found out that the only variable that consistently

allowed forecast of voting behavior is religious affiliation (Fox and

Richardson 2001).

Respondent 6 said that “Bilang isang muslim pipiliin ko ang

isang Muslim din”. It is clear that respondent 6 is more incline to

vote for the candidate who has the same religion as him. It is

found that “members” votes represents both their (the

representative) own religious affiliation, and the religious groups

within their districts, that we also expect religious tradition to

affect the general ideological orientation of members (Fastnow,

Grant and Rudolph 1999). Respondent 1 stated that “I would like

to advice that voters should elect a candidate who also believe in

GOD”. Respondent 1 is more incline if the candidate believes in

GOD even though they have different religion. If the people see the

candidate as a God fearing man the more likely the people will vote

for him (Pew Research Center 2008 & 2012). Respondent 4 said

that “if the man will divert from Christian doctrine I will not vote

for that man, for example, a Muslim candidate, how can I vote for

him if his beliefs are anti to my religious belief, how can mix that,

but, Catholic yes, I want a common belief there is God, so it’s a

 25

matter of biblical understanding”. Here, respondent 4 is more

incline to vote for a candidate who has a similar belief he has even

if they don’t have the same religion. These values cannot be seen

only with religious affiliations but can be evident to other groups as

well (Greely 2004). Lastly, respondent 3, “I prefer a Baptist like

me.” Respondent 3 is the same as respondent 6; they are more

incline to vote for a candidate who is from the same religion as

them. They found that the religious affiliation with politics was

greater than any correlation between race, gender, or class and

politics. It is also concluded that it is infrequent event for a major

party’s presidential candidates, that religion had a keen influence

on the party affiliation and voting tendency of individuals (Brooks

and Manza 1997).

II. Belief in God

Based on the data gathered, the respondents prefer when

voting is a candidate who believes in God or a believer.

 26

They will prefer to vote for a candidate who believes in the

higher power or GOD. The candidate’s religion or religious

affiliation doesn’t matter as long as he believes in a Higher Power.

Even in the first line of our 1987 constitution preamble, it

states, “We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of the

almighty God”. This statement of the preamble indicates that in

order for us to become a good citizen or a good leader we need the

help of a higher power or God.

From the statements given, this shows that the respondents

do not even consider voting for an atheist. The respondents

statements were, “Bakit ako sa isang tao na walang Diyos? Wala

siyang paninindigan lung wala siyang pinapaniwalaan. Wala siyang

basihan” (Why would I vote for someone who doesn’t believe in

God? He doesn’t have an affirmation if he does not believe in any

God. He doesn’t have any basis). Other respondent also said “No, I

prefer a man that believes in God, what can an atheist help our

government ungodly teachings”. As well as, “There should be a

God in governance because without God our country will collapse,

if a leader has no God in himself he cannot guide us and he cannot

bring our nation to progress.” Base on these statements it shows

 27

that the respondents prefer a candidate who believes in a higher

power or God. They believe that the leader who does not believe in

a higher power or God have nothing to teach the people, have a

questionable morality because he doesn’t have any basis for

his/her morality. A man cannot lead a nation with many religions,

without having one. (Fastnow, Grant and Rudolph 1999)

Membership in a religious organization affects particular and

general voting preferences. Each organization may be different

from one another but they have one goal – to select candidates

who deserve to be in the office. Over time, religion has gone

through changes. Religious beliefs are considered virtual among

members of a certain religious denomination. (Fastnow, Grant

and Rudolph 1999).

III. Religious Influence

Based on the data gathered, Religion plays a major role, it

influences an electorate whom to vote during election, it influence

its members on whom to vote during election.

Religion plays a major role during election, it can influence

the electorate’s decision on whom to vote based on their religion or

religious teachings.
 28

From the statement given by the respondents shown in table

3, it is evident that religion plays a big role when the electorate

choose whom to vote during elections. Respondent 1 state that

“religion influence me so much in choosing the leaders for the

country”. The statement of respondent 1 clearly state that his

religion plays a big role why he choose that particular candidate.

Gibbs (2005) hypothesize that some issues are more important to

religious voters than secular voters and that certain religious

groups would be more incline to vote on certain issues than the

religious or non-religious groups. Some religious groups endorsed

an electoral candidate who can give them the results they prefer.

Respondent 4 said that “out from knowledge from religion, GOD,

the bible’s influence, that how you run the government according

to the proper directing of the government your influence and

religious teachings of course will help you guide the people, it’s like

that.” Respondent 4 basically says that you need religion or

religious teaching to properly govern. Greely (2004) said that a

combination of media experts and religious leaders have argued

that “religion” and “moral values” have taken a new importance to

political life. Respondent 6 says “Napaka halaga po ng relihiyon

bilang isang Muslim, kaming mga muslim napaka halaga po ng

 29

relihiyon, patungkol sa mga ganitong activities kasi ang Muslim ay

nakasalalay o nakasabi sa relihiyon sa kanilang mga Gawain.’’

Respondent 6 is basically saying they can’t decide whom to vote

without their religion or religious teachings. (Fastnow, Grant and

Rudolph 1999) looked at the effect of religion in the House of

Representatives to see how religion affected vote choice. It is

found that “members” votes represents both their (the

representative) own religious affiliation, and the religious groups

within their districts, that we also expect religious tradition to

affect the general ideological orientation of members. In this

regards, the voting preferences among the masses affect the

behavior of Congress.
 30

CHAPTER III

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND

RECOMMENDATION

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The purpose of this study was to determine if religion and

religious conviction has an impact to the voting preferences of the

electorate. Based on the data gathered, the researcher came up

with three themes. The three themes answered the problem stated

in Chapter 1. The first theme showed that the respondents are very

inclined when it comes to their religion and religious conviction.

The second theme showed that the respondents preferred a

political candidate who believes in the higher power or God. The

third theme showed that religion is a major factor in voting.

Concern

The concern of the religious leaders is if their members

choose a political candidate who does not believe in a higher power

 31

or God, and such man has questionable morals with nothing to

offer for the betterment of the nation.

CONCLUSION

The researchers concluded that religion and religious

conviction have an impact on the voting preferences of the

electorate.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Religious Leaders

Religious leaders should educate their members more about

their religious teachings and morals, so that their members can

have a stronger basis or references on why they vote for that

political candidate. If religious leaders can educate their members

more, their members can choose a political candidate who has a

good moral background, who value human lives as well as human

rights.

Electorates

The electorates should vote for a political candidate who

believes in God or some kind of higher power. A God-fearing will

 32

bring our nation to new heights. In order for the electorate to

choose the right political candidate they should consult their

religion or their religious beliefs.

The Future Researcher

Because of the nature of this study Impact of Selected

Religious Denominations on Voting Preferences of the Electorate,

the researchers of this study recommend that the future

researchers can use this study as a reference in their future

research that have similar premises.

 33

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Broughton, David and Hans-Martien Ten Napel

(2000b).“Introductionin Religion and Mass Electoral
Behaviour in Europe. London: Routledge.

Cambell, Angus, Philip Converse, Warren Miller, and Donald Stokes

(1960). The American Voter. New York: Wiley.

Elff, Martin (2007). Social Structure and Electoral Behavior in

Comparative Perspective: The Decline of Social
Cleavages in Western Europe Revisited Perspectives on
Politics, vol. 5, no. 2, pp 277-294. 21

Elff, Martin (2009). Social Divisions, Party Positions, and Electoral

Behaviour Electoral Studies, vol. 28, 297-308.

Elff, Martin and Sigrid Rossteutscher(2011).Stability or Decline?

Class, Religion and the Vote in Germany - German Politics,
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APPENDIX A

Transmittal Letter to the Respondents

April __, 2018

Dear __________

Good day!

With due respect, we, the 4th year students of AB Political Science
from Southwestern University-Phinma would like to ask permission to
conduct a study entitled “Religious Impact to Voting Preferences of
the Electorate”, this study aims to know the perspective of religious
organizations pertaining to their voting preferences. In line with this
we can assure you that confidentiality would be practiced.

We believe that you are with us in our goal to finish this study and to
develop our well-being. We hope for your positive feedback on this
humble matter.

Your approval to conduct this study will be highly appreciated. For

further questions, you may contact us at
09282089246/09173064423.

Respectfully yours,

Jimberlie Jane Javelora Louisse Belle G. Sagocsoc

Angel S. Caban Keiffer Randel Ribo

Noted by:

Migor de Vivar
Research Adviser

Ethel A. Tabotabo, M.Posc

Program Head
Department of Political Science
 37

Approved by:

Atty.GodwinDenzil B. Manginsay
Dean, School of Law and Government
APPENDIX B

Individual Release Form

I, the undersigned, hereby grant permission to the researchers of

Southwestern University- Phinma“Religious Impact to Voting
Preferences of the Electorate” theright to use my full name, biography,
video image, likeness, and audio collected during this interview.

I also grant permission to record my image, voice, and performance, and

transfer of the data to the output regarding the interview and video
documentary. This includes, without limitation, the literary rights and the
copyright of my picture, photograph, video image, and audio collected during
this interview.

I agree that I will not assert, maintain or consent to others bringing any
claim, action, suit or demand of any kind or nature whatsoever against the
Researchers including but not limited to, those grounded upon invasion of
privacy, rights or publicity or other civil rights, or for any other reason in
connection with the authorized use of my physical likeness and sound in
“Religious Impact to Voting Preferences of the Electorate” as herein
provided. I hereby release the Researchers, its advisers, facilitators, school
administration and assigns from and against any and all claims, liability,
demands, actions, causes of action(s), costs, expenses and damages
whatsoever, at law or in equity, known or unknown, anticipated or
unanticipated, which I ever had, now have, or may, shall or hereafter have
by reason, matter, cause or thing arising out of the rights granted to the
Researchers herein.

The Researchers, in return, agrees to retain the integrity of the interviewee's

image and voice, neither misrepresenting the interviewee's words nor taking
them out of context. I attest that I have voluntarily agreed to be interviewed
and that this document contains the entire and complete agreement
concerning the use and preservation of my interview.

I undersigned, shall not be given any fees for the services provided for this
production.

Signature of Interviewee:
____________________________ Date ____________
Name(printed):_________________________________
Address: ______________________________________
 38

Contact Number: _______________________________

Email: ___________________________

Signature of Interviewer: _______________________

APPENDIX C

Research Questionnaire
Questions:

1. What kind of electoral candidate do you prefer for public office?

2. Are you going to vote the candidate your religious leader prefer or

advertise?

3. How does the religion of the electoral candidate matter in voting

for him/her?

4. If our elected officials were deeply religious, do you think that the

laws and policy decisions they make would be bias in favour of their

religion?

5. Would you vote for a candidate for political candidate for political

office who draws emotional comfort and strength from religion?

6. Would you vote for a candidate for political office who keeps

religious faith separate from politics.

7. Would you consider voting for an atheist?

8. For you, does religion important in governing?

9. Do you consider religion as a requisite for public office?

10. What do you prefer for your electoral candidate?

a. Atheist c. Catholic
 39

b. Muslim d. Others Specify: ________________

CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL DATA

Name: Jimberlie Jane Javelora

City Address: 431-R, P. del Rosario

Extension, Sambag I, Cebu City

Permanent Address: P-7 San Vicente, Sibagat, Agusan del

Sur

Age:23

Date of Birth: July 01, 1995

Sex:Female

Civil Status:Single

Citizenship:Filipino

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Primary: San Juan Elementary School

Secondary: Bayugan National Comprehensive High School

 40

Tertiary: Southwestern University – PHINMA

CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL DATA

Name: Angel S. Caban

City Address: Guizo, Mandaue City

Permanent Address: Hibaiyo,

Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental

Age: 19

Date of Birth: July 29, 1999

Sex:Female

Civil Status:Single

Citizenship:Filipino

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Primary: Calabaclabacan Elementary School

Secondary: Saint Francis High School Vallehermoso

Tertiary: Southwestern University - PHINMA

 41

CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL DATA

Name: Kieffer Randel V. Ribo

City Address: Urgello Street, Cebu City

Permanent Address: Brgy. Suba,

Bantayan Island, Cebu

Age:22

Date of Birth: December 13, 1995

Sex: Male

Civil Status:Single

Citizenship:Filipino

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Primary: Bantayan Central Elementary School

Secondary: Saint Paul Academy

Tertiary: Southwestern University - PHINMA

 42

CURRICULUM VITAE

PERSONAL DATA

Name: Louisse Belle G. Sagocsoc

City Address: My Pad ,Urgello Street, Cebu City

Permanent Address: Compol, Catarman ,Camiguin

Age:20

Date of Birth: October 30,1997

Sex:Female

Civil Status:Single

Citizenship:Filipino

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Primary: Lyceo de Cagayan University

Secondary: Southwestern University- PHINMA

Tertiary: Southwestern University - PHINMA

43