SHS

Philippine Politics
and Governance
Quarter 2 - Module 13
Philippine Politics and Governance
Grade 11/12 Quarter 2 - Module 13: Nature of Elections and Political
Parties in the Philippines
First Edition, 2020

Copyright © 2020
La Union Schools Division
Region I

All rights reserved. No part of this module may be reproduced in any form
without written permission from the copyright owners.

Development Team of the Module

Author: Antonio Q. Vasadre Jr.

Editor: SDO La Union, Learning Resource Quality Assurance Team

Illustrator: Ernesto F. Ramos Jr., P II

Management Team:

ATTY. Donato D. Balderas, Jr.

Schools Division Superintendent

Vivian Luz S. Pagatpatan, PhD

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

German E. Flora, PhD, CID Chief

Virgilio C. Boado, PhD, EPS in Charge of LRMS

Mario B. Paneda, Ed.D., EPS in Charge of Araling Panlipunan

Michael Jason D. Morales, PDO II

Claire P. Toluyen, Librarian II

 Philippine Politics and
Governance
Quarter 2 - Module 13
Nature of Elections and Political
Parties in the Philippines
 Target

What is an election and political party? You must have read books and
newspaper articles discussing elections and political parties in the country. There
are multiple articles describing various facets of elections. These articles, in
addition, also describe the election process and the political parties contesting the
election. Let us familiarize ourselves with the concept of elections and political
parties.
Election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population
chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. Thru elections,
people exercise their one of the greatest powers which is right of suffrage or right to
vote.
Political party is an organized group of people with at least roughly similar
political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its
candidates elected to public office.
In your previous lesson, you have learned the roles and functions of Local
Government Unit (LGU). You learned that local government is the lowest level of
elected territorial organization within a state that has the dual function of providing
local public services and implementing national welfare policies.
This learning material will provide you with information and activities that
will aid you to understand the concept of elections and political parties in the
Philippines.
After going through this learning material, you are expected to:

Most Essential Learning Competency:

 Analyse the nature of elections and political parties in the Philippines
(HUMSS_PG12-Il-c-d-9)

Subtasks:
1. Describe the nature of elections and political parties in the Philippines;
2. Identify the current structure of electoral system; and
3. Discuss the implications of the electoral systems on politics and
governance.

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 Jumpstart

For a more thorough understanding of the topic, you have to perform

the activities ahead. Enjoy the exercises.

Activity 1: Hear Me Out!

Directions: List down 5 do’s and don’ts were a registered voter must consider in
exercising their right of suffrage in electing public officials.

DO’s DON’Ts
1. 1.
2. 2.

3. 3.

4. 4.

5. 5.

Discover

Elections are device for filling a government office through choices made by
the electorate, a designate body of qualified people. Election is integral to
democratic governance. Through its mechanism, politicians are held accountable
for their actions, compelled to introduce policies that are reflective of and
responsive to public opinion. Ideally, elections serve as a ‘major source of political
recruitment, a means of making government, and of transferring government
power, a guarantee of representation, and a major determinant of government
policy’(Heywood, 2000).

Types of Election
1. General Election - held for the purpose of electing national and local
officials simultaneously.
2. National Elections- conducted to elect the President, Vice-President and
members of congress

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 3. Local Elections - held for purpose of selecting officials in the Region,
provinces,
cities and municipalities.
4. Special Elections – held on a date different from that of regular election.

Right of Suffrage is also known as the right to vote, is stated in Section 1,

Article V of the 1987 Constitution
Who may EXERCISE SUFFRAGE?
 Every citizen who are at least 18 years old on the Election Day.
 A resident of the Philippines for at least a year and for at least 6
months on the place he is registering.
 Not otherwise disqualified by law.
 A registered voter.
Who are DISQUALIFIED to vote?
 Any person found to be not normal mental condition
 Who has been found guilty of committing a crime involving disloyalty
to the state (rebellion and treason), except after 5 years from
completion of his sentence
 Any person who has been sentenced for a prison term of not less
than one year, except after 5 years from completion of his sentence

Rules Governing Elections in the Philippines

 The supervision of the elections in the Philippines is under the charge of the
Commission on elections (COMELEC).
 In the process of supervising the conducts of elections, the COMELEC is
guided by the rules governing elections as started in the provisions of
Republic Act. No. 7166.
 Elections on Campaign Period- campaign period for the President, Vice
President and Senators is 90 days before the election and 45 days before the
day of election for members of the House of Representatives.
 Filling of Certificate of candidacy- the certificate of an individual running
for national elections is required to be filed at the main office of the
COMELEC not later than the day prior to the beginning to the campaign
period.
 Precincts and Polling Places-every barangay is required to have at least
one election precinct, with each precinct having not more than 300 votes.
 Registrations of voters – it is held on the 5th Saturday prior to the day of
election for those who are to reach 18 years of age or before the day of
election and for those qualifies to cast their vote but not included in the list
of voters.

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  Common Poster Area – the COMELEC is empowered to designate common
poster areas in the barangay where candidates can post their election
propaganda announcing their candidacy.
 Official Watchers- every political party and candidate is entitled to one
watcher in every polling place and canvassing center.
 Board of Election Inspectors- is constituted by a chairman to one watcher
in every polling place and canvassing center.
 Board of Canvassers- in every province, city and municipality, a board of
canvassers is constituted and composed of provincial election supervisor.

Political Party
 Consists of a group of people who join hands to contest the elections in a
country. These parties have a shared vision for the country. This vision in
addition to defining the party also guides their actions and the policies
formulated for the citizens of the country. These parties in addition to other
activities also promote their policies and try to convince citizens to vote for
them. They aim winning the elections, so they can implement their policies
after getting selected. Functions of political party are:
 Contesting elections
 Formulating policies
 Forming government or forming the opposition party
 Shaping public perception

Major Types of Political Party Systems

1. One-party Systems
 Only one party dominates and there is no political competition between
parties. Single-party system has the right to form the government, usually
based on the existing constitution.
2. Two-party Systems
 A party system where two major political parties dominate politics within a
government. One of the two parties typically holds a majority in the
legislature and is usually referred to as the majority party while other is the
minority party.
3. Dominant party Systems
 A party system where there is “a category of political organizations that have
successively won election and whose future defeat cannot be envisaged or is
unlikely for the foreseeable future.”
4. Multiparty Systems
 A party system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain
control of government offices, separately or in coalition.

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Current Structure of the Electoral System in the Philippines

The structure of the current electoral system is provided in the 1987

Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code. The COMELEC is given the task to
enforce election laws and exercise exclusive jurisdiction over the qualifications of
candidates, accreditation of political parties, and canvassing of votes.
The 1987 Constitution provides that the three branches of the government
are separate and equal. The president and the vice president are elected separately
by a direct vote of the people. Under the simple plurality method, the candidates
with the highest number of votes will be proclaimed winners (first-past-the-post
system). Both officials are to serve for a term of six years. The maximum terms, the
qualifications, and functions were already discussed in module 9.
The Transitory Provisions of the 1987 Constitution says that “of the
senators elected in the election of 1992, the first 12 obtaining the highest number
of votes shall serve for six years (full) and the remaining 12 for three years.” In
1995, elected senators were then given six-year term. Thus, 12 senators are elected
every three years. This scheme of concurrent six-year terms was formulated so that
the Senate would not be vacated and continue with their law- and policy-making
functions. Remember that under a bicameral system, the bills submitted by the
House of Representatives are still to be considered by the Senate. It is thus
important that there are senators who could deal with the bill; otherwise, no laws
will be created.
Of the 250 members of the House of Representatives, 200 are elected
through district proportional representation, while 50 are elected from party-lists
on a proportional basis. Party lists are closed list (meaning, the people vote for the
political party as a whole) and election of the representative is based on the
candidates’ placement in the party slate (Velasco 2006). Under the Party-List Act
(RA 7941), seats are allocated at one seat per 2% of the votes obtained. Only a
maximum of three seats are allowed per party. Unallocated seats shall be
distributed among the other parties that have not yet obtained the maximum of
three seats (provided that they have reached 2% of votes).
At present, there are almost 300 representatives in the Philippines. While
the 1987 Constitution only provides for 250 members of the House of
Representatives, Article VI, Section 5 states that “each legislative district shall
comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact and adjacent territory. Each
city with a population of at least 250 000, or each province, shall have at least one
representative.” Within three years following the return of every census, the
Congress shall make a reapportion of legislative districts based on the standards
provided in Article VI, Section 5. Population growth is thus a factor in such
increase in the number of representatives. Apart from population growth, another
reason for the increase of seats is due to several contestations on the Party-List
Act. In 2009, while the Supreme Court upheld the three-seat cap, it ruled that the
2% election threshold was unconstitutional and stipulated that for every five
legislative districts created; one seat for sectoral representatives should also be
created. This increased the sectoral seats in the 14th Congress from 22 to 55.

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 The current constitution encourages a free and open party system. This led
to the rise of several political parties in the post-1986 period and the setting up of a
multiparty system. The introduction of the party-list system furthered this.
Meanwhile, the 1991 Local Government Code governs elections for local
government officials. The punong barangay, vice mayor, mayor, vice governor, and
governor are elected in their respective localities through a plurality vote (first-past-
the-post system). The members of the local assemblies (e.g., city and municipal
councils and the provincial board) are elected by district and through a plurality
vote. Members of the barangay or village assembly are elected at large in their
areas. The local government officials are to serve a maximum of three consecutive
three-year terms (Teehankee 2002).

Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and
strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Activity 1: KataQuote!
Directions: Read the statement carefully and briefly explain your understanding of
the quotation below.

1. A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends upon the character of the user.”
-Theodore Roosevelt

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

2. The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.

- John Fitzgerald Kennedy

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

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3. If political party does not have its foundation in the determination to advance a
cause that is right and that is moral, then it is not a political party; it is merely
a conspiracy to seize power.
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Rubric for Statements Response

Category 4 3 2 1
Reasoning Fully logical Logical Reasoning has Reasoning is
reasoning. reasoning. some flaws or flawed or weak
limitations.
Support isSupport is Support is Little or no
Quality of strong, adequate, barely support for
support applicable and although may adequate or argument.
effective. be somewhat perhaps
vague or insufficient.
tangential.
Argument is Argument is Argument Argument is
Presentation presented in presented in presented either highly
strong, yet reasonable offensively or offensive or
approachable way. May be shallowly. given little or
way. lacking in no thought.
Persuasive but respect for
not at all other point of
offensive. view.
No syntax or Few syntax or Enough errors Unacceptable
Writing grammar grammar that they number of
errors detract errors. detract from errors that
from writing. the argument. cause
distraction.

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Activity 2: Pictopinion!
Directions: Analyze the following images and answer the guide questions below.

PICTURE A

Source:
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fboholchronicle.com.ph%2Fw
p-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F02%2Fcartoon-
editorial.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boholchronicle.com.ph%2F2016%2F01
%2F31%2Fthe-relaunching-of-the-bohol-
ubi%2F&tbnid=M1hmzWbH3wjtWM&vet=1&docid=r77YioD50j0k8M&w=1000&h=800&it
g=1&hl=en-
US&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim&fbclid=IwAR2x5eCEZaY56EPBzlBc6m5SlPifJgJkHgTDqaRTQ
PosRnLmZRmxGhZ-OL8

PICTURE B
Source:https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://boholchronicle.com.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2015/10/cartoon-
editorial3.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.boholchronicle.com.ph/2015/10/18/the-curse-
of-multi-party-system/&docid=X3JpCGZnIQVwGM&tbnid=fKZ4v2go06e-
lM&vet=1&w=1000&h=800&hl=en-US&source=sh/x/im

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Guide Questions:
1. List down key objects or key ideas used in the editorial cartoon and describe
what each represent.
a. Piture A:
b. Picture B:
2. What is the message of the editorial cartoon?
a. Piture A:
b. Picture B:
3. What can you learn from examining these editorial cartoon?

Scoring Rubric
Points Requirements
5 Provides insightful and detailed explanation/opinion that includes or
extend ideas from the text.
4 Provides some explanation/opinion that includes or extend ideas
from the text.
3 Uses text incorrectly with limited success and includes an
inconsistent or confusing explanation.
2 Demonstrates minimal understanding of the task and provides an
unclear or no use of text for support.
1 Response Is completely irrelevant or off – topic

Deepen

Great job! You have understood the lesson. Here is a more depth activity
that will help you understand the works and functions of social scientist
and applied social science practitioner.

Activity 1: Draw your idea!

Directions: Draw/ create poster slogan about the implications of the electoral
systems on politics and governance. Write a brief explanation of your poster slogan.
Note: Use separate sheet of short bond paper for your poster slogan.
Poster slogan

Explanation:

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 Rubric for the Output
Criteria 5 4 3 2 1
Content is Content is Content is Content is Content is
Content accurate and accurate but accurate but either inaccurate.
all required some required some required questionable Information
information is information is information is or incomplete. is
presented in a not presented not presented Information is incomplete,
logical order. in a logical in a logical not presented inaccurate,
order but is order, making in a logical or not
still generally it difficult to order, making presented in
easy to follow. follow. it difficult to a logical
follow. order,
making it
difficult to
follow.
Presentation Presentation is Presentation Presentation is Presentation
Presenta is neat, clean, mostly neat flows well. unorganized. has no flow.
tion well- and clean. Some tools are Tools are not Information
organized and Information is used to show used in a is
presented in a organized in a acceptable relevant insufficient.
creative way. logical manner understanding manner.
Presentation and shows Information is Information is
is colourful some degree of represented not identified.
and creative. creativity. The and identified.
Information is overall
interesting presentation is
and accurate. interesting.
Artworks are Artworks are Artworks are Artworks show No images
Artworks colorful and mostly colorful colorful and little, if any, or artworks
appropriate to and appropriate. creativity. The included.
the topic. appropriate. The layout layout is
Layout flows Lay out may shows little messy and
well, shows show some creativity disorganized.
creativity, and degree of and/or is not
is pleasing to creativity but organized
the eye. it is not logically.
organized
logically.
No spelling, A few errors in No more than No more than More than 7
Mechani grammar, or spelling, 5 spelling, 7 spelling, spelling,
cs punctuation grammar, or grammar, or grammar, or grammar, or
errors in the punctuation. punctuation punctuation punctuation
text. Text is in Most text is in errors. Several errors. Most of errors. Text
the student’s student’s own instances the text is not is copied or
own words. words. where the text in student’s not
is not in own words. included.
student’s own
words.

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Activity 2: Make It Essay!
Direction: Answer the following questions briefly and concisely.
1. What are the events and possible factors that have led to the current electoral
and party system in the Philippines?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

2. Why are political parties important in a democracy?

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

3. In light of current social and political conditions in the Philippines, are elections
still relevant in the lives of Filipino people? Are elections in the country considered
credible? Explain your answer?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

Scoring Rubrics
Grading Factors:
1. Completeness
Does your response directly answer each question?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

2. Knowledge
Does your response clearly show you have read and understood the lesson
content by correctly defining key terms and summarizing concepts?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

3. Analysis
Does your response provide analysis to the larger concepts of the lesson?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

4. Writing Skills
Do you write clearly, in complete sentences, with minimal errors in grammar
and spelling?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

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 Gauge

Congratulations for reaching this part. You are about to arrive at

the finish line!

A. Read, Analyze and Select!

Directions: Read and understand each item carefully then write the letter of the
best answer in the space before the number.

1. Which one refers to an organized group of people with at least roughly similar
political aims and opinions, that seeks to influence public policy by getting its
candidates elected to public office?
A. Political leader’s C. Public employees
B. Political party D. Public officials

2. Which one is formal group decision-making process by which a population

chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office?
A. Election C. Plebiscite
B. Electoral system D. Special election

3. Which one is a party system where there is a category of political organizations

that have successively won election and whose future defeat cannot be envisaged
or is unlikely for the foreseeable future?
A. Dominant party Systems C. One-party Systems
B. Multiparty Systems D. Two-party Systems

4. Which one refers to a party system in which multiple political parties have the
capacity to gain control of government offices, separately or in coalition?
A. Dominant party Systems C. One-party Systems
B. Multiparty Systems D. Two-party Systems

5. Which one is the government body tasked to enforce election laws and which has
jurisdiction over the qualifications of candidates and the accreditation of political
parties?
A. COMELEC C. Senate
B. House of Representatives D. Supreme Court

6. Which one refers to a party system in which one party dominates and there is no
political competition between parties?
A. Dominant party Systems C. One-party Systems
B. Multiparty Systems D. Two-party Systems

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7. The following are qualification of qualified voters in the Philippines, EXCEPT
ONE:
A. Not disqualified by law
B. At least 18 years of age
C. A resident of the country for at least one year
D. A resident of the country who has a dual Citizenship

8. Mr. Gorgonio Magtanggol exercised his right to suffrage in an election held for
the purpose of electing national and local officials simultaneously, what type of
election he participated?
A. General election C. Plebiscite
B. Local election D. Special election

9. Who among the following is a registered voter?

A. Resident of the country who has a dual Citizenship
B. One who is eighteen years of age and can read and write
C. One who has all the qualifications of a voter provided by law and who has
registered in the list of voters.
D. One who is at least 18 years of age on the day of election and a resident of
the Philippines for at least 1year prior the day of election.

10. The following are ground for disqualifications of voters in the Philippines,
EXCEPT ONE.
A. Any person found to be not normal mental condition
B. A resident of the place where intend to for at least 6months
C. Who has been found guilty of committing a crime involving disloyalty to the
state
D. Any person who has been sentenced for a prison term of not less than one
year, except after 5 years from completion of his sentence

B. Fact or Bluff!
Directions: Write FACT if the statement is true and BLUFF if the statement is false
1. The right to vote is also known as suffrage.
2. A person has the option to vote or not.
3. The right to vote can never be taken away from a person.
4. A person can campaign for his candidate during the Election Day.
5. The Commission on Higher Education is the agency that supervises the
Election processes.

C. Activity 2. Take it Essay!

Directions: Answer the following questions briefly and concisely.

1. Why do you think people sell their votes?

_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

13
2. Does one vote really make a difference in our political system? Why or why not?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

3. What do you think must be the focal function of the political parties in the
Philippines? Explain your answer
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

Scoring Rubrics
Grading Factors:
1. Completeness
Does your response directly answer each question?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

2. Knowledge
Does your response clearly show you have read and understood the lesson
content by correctly defining key terms and summarizing concepts?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

3. Analysis
Does your response provide analysis to the larger concepts of the lesson?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

4. Writing Skills
Do you write clearly, in complete sentences, with minimal errors in grammar
and spelling?
Excellent Very good Good Poor Needs improvement
5 4 3 2 1

14
 15
Gauge
A. B.
1. B 1. Fact
2. A 2. Fact
3. A 3. Bluff
4. B 4. Bluff
5. A 5. Bluff
6. C
7. D
8. A
9. C
10. B
Answer Key
References

Printed Materials:

Pawilen, R.A. & Pawilen, Reidan M. (2017). Philippine Politics and Governance.
Manila, Philippines: Rex Bookstore Inc.
Villanueva, Prince Aian G. (2017). Philippine Politics and Governance. Makati City,
Philippines: Diwa Learning System Inc.

Website:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_party?fbclid=IwAR2ngy9hsFfmnVOPMNP
Cnz3UcE2woXQMj9V59UgPbcJQy3i5bhSOu2f_VMk
https://www.toppr.com/guides/general-knowledge/election-political-parties-and-
national-terms/elections-and-political-parties/?fbclid=IwAR0fi6d5y32qP0p-
9OfLbKH7GpoiEq7YRwj2jIW_73S58-8qfV2QU-subN8
http://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Philippines/sub5_6f/entry-
3903.html?fbclid=IwAR2OYYvIOrE9ApZLu

Images/ Pictures:
Image A.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fboholchronicle.com.ph%
2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F02%2Fcartoon-
editorial.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boholchronicle.com.ph%2F
2016%2F01%2F31%2Fthe-relaunching-of-the-bohol-
ubi%2F&tbnid=M1hmzWbH3wjtWM&vet=1&docid=r77YioD50j0k8M&w=10
00&h=800&itg=1&hl=en-
US&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim&fbclid=IwAR2x5eCEZaY56EPBzlBc6m5SlPifJgJ
kHgTDqaRTQPosRnLmZRmxGhZ-OL8
Image B.
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://boholchronicle.com.ph/wp-
content/uploads/2015/10/cartoon-
editorial3.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.boholchronicle.com.ph/2015/10/18
/the-curse-of-multi-party-
system/&docid=X3JpCGZnIQVwGM&tbnid=fKZ4v2go06e-
lM&vet=1&w=1000&h=800&hl=en-US&source=sh/x/im

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