Development of Philippine Political

Parties and Party System

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ

Main characteristics of the Philippine political party system
since the achievement of Philippine independence in 1946:

1. It is a two party system. Two major parties, the

Nacionalistas and the Liberals, dominate the scene.
2. Margins between the strengths of the major parties
are substantial but not extreme. At the average post-
war presidental election, the difference between the
nation-wide vote for the candidates of the two major
parties was 17 per cent.
KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ
Main characteristics of the Philippine political party system
since the achievement of Philippine independence in 1946:

3. The major parties trade power at frequent intervals.

4. The parties have controlled the government for approximately
equal lengths of time. Between the first post-war elections and the
end of 1966, the Nacionalista and Liberal parties have held the
Presidency for 9 and 11 years respectively.
5. The two major parties are identical. If each party is viewed as a
whole and over time, one finds the two to be alike in all significant
respects.

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ

Main characteristics of the Philippine political party system
since the achievement of Philippine independence in 1946:

6. Party-switching is common. A shift in popular support

from one party to the other, or the expectation of such a
shift, generally leads to changes of party allegiances by
many professional politicians eager to remain on the side
of those in power.
7. Intra-party solidarity is weak. This fact is demonstrated
by the large number of "rebel candidates," who run for
public office.
KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ
The Party-list System under the 1987
Philippine Constitution

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ

 The Party-List System

The Party-List System It is a mechanism of proportional

representation in the election of representatives to the
House of Representatives from marginalized or
underrepresented national, regional and sectoral parties,
or organizations or coalitions thereof registered with the
Commission on Elections (Comelec).

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ

 Who may participate?

1. Sectoral Party – an organized group of citizens whose

principal advocacy pertains to the special interests and
concerns.
2. Political Party – an organized group of qualified voters
pursuing the same ideology, political ideas and
principles for the general conduct of the government.

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ

 Who may participate?

3. Sectoral Organization – a group of qualified voters

bound together by similar physical attributes or
characteristics, or by employment, interests or concerns.
4. Coalition – an aggrupation of duly registered national,
regional, sectoral parties or organizations for political
and/or election purposes.

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ

 Qualifications of a party-list nominee
[a] A natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
[b] A registered voter;
[c] A resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than one
(1) year immediately preceding the election day;
[d] Able to read and write;
[e] A bona fide member of the party he seeks to represent for at
least ninety (90) days preceding election day; and
[f] At least twenty-five (25) years of age on election day.

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ

 Qualifications of a party-list nominee
In case of the youth sector, he must be at least
twenty-five (25) but not more than thirty (30)
years of age on the day of the election.
Any youth sectoral representative who reaches
the age of thirty (30) during his term shall be
allowed to continue in office until the expiration
of his term.
KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ
 How many seats are available under the
party-list system?

Twenty percent (20%) of the total membership in the

House of Representatives is reserved for party-list
representatives, or a ratio of one (1) party list
representative for every four (4) legislative district
representatives.
This number will increase if there is an increase in the
number of legislative districts.
KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ
Every voter shall be entitled to two (2) votes for
the House of Representatives, as follows:

[a] First, a vote for a district representative; and

[b] Second, a vote for the party he wants

represented in the House of Representatives.
KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ
 Counting of Party-list votes
Because the voting will be at large, and not by
sector, all votes obtained by a party regardless of
constituency will be tallied on a nationwide basis.
The percentage of votes garnered by a party shall
be computed in relation to the total votes cast for
the party-list nationwide.

KAREN BELEN FELICES-PEREZ