The Philippine

Political Culture
Chapter III
 Filipinos belong to a hardy race
abundantly blessed. Gentle and
compassionate, they readily find humor
even in their most trying moments, and
with their sunny disposition in life, they
are one of a few happy races of the world.
In politics, Filipinos’ orientation in the
choice of political candidates is
personalistic; hence, their government is
popularly based. Filipino political leaders
frequently change party affiliation, and
politicking is never ending.
Philippine Government Culture

Through compadrazgo system, smart politicians establish

connections either by consanguinity (blood
relationship), by affinity (by operation of law), or by
ceremonial activities. They capitalize on the Filipino
political culture standing as god-parents in ceremonies
like baptisms, confirmations, and weddings. They are
mostly present during fiestas, gifts-giving, or dole-outs,
funerals, during calamities and disasters. Generally,
these events are opportunities for them to establish or
to strengthen political turfs.
 01
The Nature of
Culture
Culture is the people’s way of
life. It is the sum total of ideas,
beliefs, values, folkways, mores,
laws, institutions, customs, and
traditions. It can be seen from a
people’s literature, songs,
dances, and in the observance of
their customs and traditions.
 In particular, political culture is a broadly shared set of
ways of thinking about politics and governance. It
consists of all attitudes and beliefs held common by a
people. Culture is reflective of their orientation as follows:

•Cognitive orientation refers to knowledge and awareness of socio-

economic political issues and events;
•Affective orientation pertains to people’s feelings and emotions:
and,
•Discernment or critical thinking.
 Political
socialization
 Political socialization is a developmental
process from which people acquire their
political orientation and establish their
pattern of behavior for good citizenry or for
the regime’s desired culture. It is the
process of conditioning an individual to the
community’s patterns of behavior or
inclination, and their transmission from one
generation to another.
As a process, it secures voluntary and
widespread support for political values and
norms established in a community.
Family, the
Primary Agent of
Socialization
 Among the agents of political socialization, family is
considered the basic, being the smallest society where an
individual is first exposed to political and social values.
Most often, a family with strong political orientation seeks
public offices and identifies with political figures in their
respective clans. As a people who deeply respect the
memory of a dead person, the widows, sons, daughters, or
grand-children of bereaved politicians tend to be voted for
by the electorate
The
church
From Greek mythology to ecclesiastical hierarchy, politics has
existed. Classical antiquity, for example, reveals the strange role of
priestly kings in running a polity. Governance was interwoven with
magic and worship of god(s), demigod(s), or a conviction that a ruler
is god himself.
The ruler arrogates upon himself the law and exercises absolute
control over his people.

In the Hispanic-Philippine setting, within the 333 years of

Spanish dominion, the Church prevailed over the civil
government. The civil government had no match with the
church that controlled and exerted very great influence over the
people and institutions such as the school, family, health, the
media, political organizations, interest groups, communities,
and its parishioners who were conditioned to be submissive or
fanatics.
The school
And youth
Schools exist to equip students with knowledge and skills and
develop in them positive values that will enable them to cope with
problems and challenges of the adult world. Their programs are
designed to enable students to achieve quality life in harmony with
their socio-economic and political environment while conditioning or
brainwashing can also be carried out by educational institutions.

Napoleon Bonaparte, for instance, devised a system which combined

education at all levels into a central corporation and the important
functions of universities to teach the doctrines (of Napoleonic design)
through a unified program at various levels.
The political Nature of
school curriculum
 Curriculum is political in itself. School curricula reflect
the incumbent government thrusts. In 1973, for example,
the late Ferdinand Marcos ordered the offering of the New
Philippine Constitution. This 1973 Constitution was
taught in school (This was the main instrument
modified/manipulated to suit and legalize Marcos stay as
president with absolute power).
Pseudo-nationalism was inculcated to students. Marcos
introduced a bastardized nationalism. A bilingual medium
of instruction was adopted with emphasis on Philippine
History and Culture.
Language
and
Humanities
Education was focused on religion during the Spanish era. The
Philippine educational system improved during the American
period where theories and concepts about democratic ways of life
were taught in the classroom: curricula on constitutionalism,
inviolability of social processes, and, support to civil liberties were
introduced. Taught in foreign language, however, students were
compelled to memorize democratic principles and political theories,
oftentimes, failing to internalize the essence of democracy. As a
result, a wide gap was observed between democratic ideas and
principles taught in the classroom and the values the students
learned from their respective families, church, community, and the
media.
Mass Media and
Public Opinion
 Media/Public opinion
Media is deemed the fourth branch of government. It serves
as the watchdog of the people. Indeed, media can expose
the truth; nevertheless, it can also distort information. It
has been effective in the formation of public opinion which
develops from the common aspirations, sentiments,
perceptions, beliefs, and principles commonly held by the
people.
Public opinion can be founded on truth and influenced by
injustice or persecutions. It can also be a product of
manipulations. It is so powerful that it can install one to
power, oust a dictator, cause one to abdicate his throne, or
send one to guillotine
Propaganda
 Propaganda is one of the structural
aspects of democracy. It is linked with
mobilization functions. Despite the fact
that it can only be for persuasion or that it
can influence the formation of positive or
negative opinion, or change people's mind
set, modern propaganda does not only aim
to modify ideas or to provoke the public
into action. Propaganda may be used to let
individuals cling irrationally to an ideal, a
process, or an action. It can likewise
inculcate mythical beliefs. Among others,
it includes the following: glittering
generalities, testimonial, common folks
approach, smoke-screening, muckraking,
and bandwagon.
Peers socialization
Political socialization with peers is interacting with one's
equals: among classmates, co-office workers, fellow-
parishioners, colleagues in a profession, club,
organization, and others. As peers, topics may range
from trivial events to analysis of issues. The process of
political socialization is a life-long process that serves as
one of the root sources of basic attitude and political
behavior of a people.
Community
 Community
A community is a group of people
interacting with one another. Geographical
factors such as mountainous terrains, rich or
poor quality of soil, water supply, scarcity or
abundance of livelihood, accessibility to town
or city, climate, and occurrences of natural or
man-made disasters affect people’s attitude.
They may condition the people to be frugal or
extravagant.
Interest
groups
 Interest groups are organizations whose main
purpose is to effect government operations by
persuading key persons in the government to act in
accordance with their interest directly or indirectly.
While these groups may operate anywhere, in the
U.S.A, their usual place is the lobby, that is why
they are called lobbyists.
Institutions may directly lobby with government
officials by delivering speeches during
consultative meetings. They can even engage in
violent confrontations
Political Parties
 Political party is an association of individuals voluntarily
organized whose primary purposes are to promote a
candidacy, to be elected or appointed to public offices,
positions, or jobs or for the purpose of influencing
controlling policies and conduct government through
nomination and election of its candidates to the office.

A political party may emerge out of an interest group when it

fields candidates to run in an election in its name and usually
claims that it is for public service.
Whether democratic or non-democratic, a state needs political
parties which may either exist permanently or may appear only
during election time.
Political Party system
Party system is the set of all systems whether based
on its structure, membership, or pattern formed by
political parties in a state. A state, therefore, maybe
a non-party system, dominant party system, two-
party system, or multi-party system.
In a One-party system, only one political party is
allowed to be active. It closely controls the government
apparatus. The party concentrates on the tasks of
mobilization, communication, and control. It also
holds the power all the time although other minor
parties are allowed to operate openly.
Civil society
Political rights in a democracy include people's rights
to form association and to publicly assemble for the
redress of grievances. From the silent protests to the
staging of mass actions, civil societies and other groups
have played important roles in the ouster of erring
presidents such as the cases of Ferdinand Marcos.
Joseph Estrada, and the Black and White Movement that
questioned Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's legitimacy as
president. These, and the public criticisms on the
Ombudsman integrity and on the Supreme Court Chief
Justice's accountability are examples of how civil
societies generate public opinion.
 Social
movements
Social movements play an important role in the formation
of public opinion. They help candidates gather
supporters during election, enlighten the public on socio-
political issues, make advocacies acceptable, and cause
rejection of action unacceptable to the people. Social
movements are series of contentious performances,
displays, and campaigns by ordinary people making
collective claims on others. It has three major elements:
Well organized, supported, and
sustained public efforts on target
authorities

series of contentious employment of

combinations of activities;

and concerted public representation

of Worthiness, Unity, Number and
Commitment (WUNC).
Social movements are not permanent. They have life-
cycle; they emerge, coalesce, or bureaucratize. They
may fail or succeed, go mainstream, or decline and
disappear. These embrace activities for special
purposes including establishing associations,
coalitions, public meetings, solemn processions,
vigils, rallies, demonstrations, prayer-rallies, hunger
strikes, planking, petition drives, and giving
statements at public meetings which are aimed at
effecting change or maintenance of the old set up. It
could be specific or general.
 Edsa
Revolution
 EDSA revolution was the climax of
the 70s and 80s social movements.
The reign of the dictatorship resulted
to polarization of power in a
democratic state. Movements started
from the oppressed and the deprived
elite, ramifying through the different
layers of the Philippine society. In the
end, dictatorship unified the people,
recognizing a common enemy: the
dictator and his cronies.
To understand the terms: revolution,
rebellion, uprising, and
insurrection, they are defined as
follows:
 01 02

Revolution Rebellion

Revolution is a complete
Rebellion means an
overthrow of an established
open, formidable
government in any country or
resistance that is
state by those who are
usually unsuccessful.
previously subject to it.
 04
Uprising
Uprising implies a brief, limited
and often immediately
ineffective insubordination to
authority. Uprising is a
localized act of popular violence
in defiance of an established
government
05
Insurrection
Insurrection is any combined
resistance to the lawful authority
of the state, with intent to cause
the denial thereof, when the same
is manifested, by acts of violence.
People
power 1,2
Revisited
People Power 1 was historically unprecedented. People Power 2 in
the year 2001 was somehow a repeat of People Power 1, but it
was shorter in duration, less dramatic than the first People Power
1 brought the downfall of Ferdinand Marcos in 1986 (In 1964
he was elected president for eight years and fourteen years as a
dictator in a seemingly democratic system of government)

The first two peaceful revolutions on February 25, 1986 and on

January 20, 2001 showcased the people's indignation to utter
disregard of people's civil and political rights and mockery of
democratic practices. These were open condemnation of an
outrageous magnitude of corruption, immorality, and abuse of
power by the government. The so called "People Power 3 on May
1, 2001 was organized by leaders loyal to the ousted
President. "People Power 3" was a misnomer. Unlike People
Power 1 and 2, there were some factors which were missing:
 •The self-impose
discipline of a crowd;

•The bayanihan spirit;

•The spontaneity of
actions;

•The simultaneous
protest actions
nationwide; and
lastly,

•The specificity and the

nobility of purpose.
The major players of EDSA revolution were the political elites and the
counter-elites, the military elites, the high ranking officials of the
church of different denominations, and colleges and universities all
over the country. Civil societies participated actively. There were
interest groups, the victims of injustice, and generally the masses.
People Power was the gathering of people from all walks of life,
believing that they belong together as a nation, united by a common
cause, fighting a common enemy.

Corazon Aquino, widow of the assassinated Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr.

(Marcos major political contender) became the symbol of the
oppressed. She was catapulted into an instant celebrity in the people’s
quest to replace the dictator. The politicized military elites led by
Gregorio Honasan, Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile, and the
demoralized Armed Forces of the Philippines plotted to grab power
from Marcos and cohorts and to form a military Junta led by Enrile,
coded “God save the King”.
People Power in the Secular Context

Secular concept pertains to a view that excludes religious and

spiritual aspects, and superstitions. Analysis is based on
empirical facts and a scrutiny of the roles played by major
institutions such as the government, the school, the church,
the civil societies, and the masses.In the sacral point of view,
People Power 1 is considered as a display of the Filipino
values of fanaticism, compassion, and humor. In a non-
rationalistic orientation, malas (bad luck) or suerte (good
luck) are assigned to certain events or situations.
EDSA Revolution on
February 25, 1986

While tanks rolled eerily, participants at EDSA waited with

bated breath. However, even amidst crucial moments
like these, Filipinos do not lose their humor. During
those dangerous situations, there were sudden bursts of
songs and laughter, nationalistic songs were composed
and sung, there were stage performances on makeshift
stages. There were entertainment and movie stars too
that kept the EDSA participants highly spirited. Foods
were shared uniquely, and Filipinos felt, they belong
together to a nation, to a race. Without doubt, People
Power Exceptionally Filipino.
 The Revolution, Filipino Style
The plot was uncovered and with the government order to arrest
and detain them with other opposition leaders, they sought refuge
from the civilians. It was strange that high ranking military
officers who have a solemn vow to protect the people, on the
contrary, sought protection from the people. And, despite the
Constitutional provision on the separation of the Church and the
State, the Church threw its support and protection to the
renegade military officers. One final note is that, the soldiers who
were detailed in the different points of the country were suddenly
ordered to report to Manila. They were not even aware of what
they were there for. Tired, hungry, and thirsty, they were promptly
fed by the multitude. Disoriented, they were easily persuaded to
join the people's cause.
The aftermath of
people power
From 1800's up to the 21st Century, people seem not to
have learned at all. The Philippine national hero had
written books and died for an exposé of social cancer,
"greed for power". In the 80s and at the core of People
Power 1 and 2, greed for power was brought out again
as the source of Philippine social ills. When the
euphoria of People Power, however, died down, Filipinos
 PEOPLE POWER 2
(January 20, 2001)
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
served his unfinished term.
Under the Aquino regime,
she is placed under hospital
arrest.

Slid back to their original

nature: passive, indifferent,
and still, the large scale of
corruption characterized the
regimes of the 13th and the
14th Presidents of the
Philippines.
Ejercito Estrada succeeded Ramos. He was scandalized and
convicted of plunder. He was accused of betrayal of Filipinos’
trust and confidence, womanizing and acts unbecoming of a
president.

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, his successor, took over when he was

impeached, ran for presidency, won a six- year full term, and
having been banned from running for another presidential term,
she ran and won as Pampanga congresswoman. There were
programs for moral regeneration under her, but the same are
eclipsed by accusations against her for larger scale of corrupt
practices. Placed under hospital arrest, she is accused of
election sabotage and many other cases of corruption,
implicating her and her family.
Ejercito
Estrada
Thanks
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