CHAPTER 2

Good
Governance
Is an intermediate term used in the international
development literature to described how public institutions
conduct public affairs and manage public resources.

Governance is “the process of decision-making and

the process by which decisions are implemented (or not
implemented)”.
Good Governance in National
Government
Good governance in the context of countries is a broad
term, and in that regard, it is difficult to find a unique
definition. According to Fukuyama (2013), there are two
dimensions to qualify governance as good or bad: the
capacity of the state and the bureaucracy’s autonomy.
Good Governance in Local
Government
Good Governance is argued to be most important in local
governments. It tries to promote more relationships between
government and
1. Empowered citizens
2. Neighborhood councils, and
3. Community councils

Good Governance in Local Government aims to increase civil

engagement with more members of the community to get the
best options that serve the people.
1987 Constitution- Article III
Approved: February 2, 1987

Bill of Rights may be defined as a declaration and

enumeration of a person’s rights and privileges that
the Constitution is designed to protect against
violation by the government or by an individual or
groups of individuals.
Classes of Rights:

1. Natural rights – they are the rights possessed by every

citizen without being granted by the State, for they are
given to man by God as a human being created in His
image so that he may live a happy life.
2. Constitutional rights – they are the rights that are
conferred and protected by the Constitution.
3. Statutory rights – they are the rights that provided by
laws promulgated by law-making body; consequently, they
may be abolished by the same body.
Classification of Constitutional Rights:

1. Political rights – rights of the citizen that give them the

power to participate, directly and indirectly, in the
establishment or administration of the government.
2. Civil rights – rights that the law will enforce at the
instance of private individuals for the purpose of securing
for them the enjoyment of their means of happiness.
3. Social and economic rights – rights that are intended to
insure well-being and economic security of the individual.
4. Rights of the accused – they are (civil) rights intended
for the protection of a person accused of any crime.
The Flag Code
What is Republic Act 8491?

RA 8491 refers to “An act of prescribing the code of the

National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and any other
heraldic items and devices of the Philippines.” It was
enacted by the tenth Congress of the Philippines on its third
regular session. This act is to known as the “Flag and
Heraldic Code of the Philippines.”
The following are the important definitions found in the code:

a. “Military” shall mean all branches of the Armed Forces of

the Philippines including the Philippine National Police, the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and the Bureau
of Fire Protection;
b. “Festoon” shall mean to hang in a curved shape between
two points as a decoration;
c. “Flag” shall mean the Philippine National Flag, unless stated
otherwise;
d. “Fly” shall mean the part of the flag outside the hoist or
length;
e. “Symbol” shall mean any conventional sign which reveals
man’s achievement and heroism (for orders and decorations),
identification, authority and a sign of dignity (for coat-of-
arms, logo and insignia);
f. “Half-Mast” shall mean lowering the flag to one-half the
distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
g. “Hoist” shall mean the part of the flag nearest the staff or the
canvass to which the halyard is attached;
h. “Inclement Weather” shall mean that a typhoon signal is
raised in the locality;
i. “National Anthem” shall mean the Philippine National Anthem’
j. “Official Residences” shall mean Malacañang, and other
government-owned structures where the President resides,
and other structures occupied by the Philippine Consulate or
Embassies abroad;
k. “Places of Frivolty” shall mean places of hilarity marked by or
providing boisterous merriment or recreation; and
l. “Institute” shall mean the National Historical Institute.
Understanding Our National Flag

 The flag of the Philippines shall be blue, white and red with
an eight-rayed golden-yellow sun and three five-pointed
stars, as consecrated and honored by the people. The flag
shall be displayed in all public buildings, official residences,
public plazas, and institutions of learning every day
throughout the year.
Electoral System in
the Philippines
The Historical Underpinnings of Philippine
Elections

Electoral System refer to the detailed constitutional

arrangement and voting systems that convert the vote into
a determination of which individuals and political parties
are elected to position of power.
1. Periodic election of officials by single-ballot plurality vote
2. Executive and senators elected at large
3. Existence of legislative districts and local government
units
4. Electorate: duly registered citizens 18 years of age and
Pre-Colonial Philippines

1. No elections for ruling authorities

2. Government was based more on tangibles
a) Kinship
b) Customs/Traditions
c) Favors
d) Unwritten laws
The Filipino Party System

1. American Colonial Rule

a. Initial dominance of the Federal Party
b. Rise and subsequent preponderance of the Nationalist
Party
2. Postwar Period
a. Split the Liberal Party from the Nationalist Party
3. Martial Law
b. Clampdown on political institutions
c. Rise of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) as the
dominant political party
d. Eventual emergence of regional political parties
The Philippine Political Parties

The Philippine has multiparty system

A multiparty system includes representatives from more than
one social, cultural, or economic groups, especially members of
ethnic or religious minority groups.
The Philippine is the most democratic and liberal society in Asia
with a long history of western institutions and cultural practices.
Since its independence in 1898, the country has adhered to a
western style of democracy.
The 1986 People Power Revolution

In 1986, the Philippine launched the so-called people-power

movement, inspiring some other countries in a nonviolent
revolution.
it was during that year (1986) when President Marcos was forced
to call an election that resulted in his eventual overthrow.
President Corazon Aquino was victorious but was never
confirmed electorally. Instead, massive public support and the loss
of military leadership placed her into the Presidency.
A New CONSTITUTION was enacted, and the country returned to
its normal political condition.
ELECTIONS

What are the types of electoral exercises?

REGULAR ELECTION SPECIAL ELECTION
National Plebiscite
Local Referendum
Barangay Initiative
ARMM Recall
Sangguniang Kabataan
(SK)
Suffrage is the right to cast a vote in public elections, and it also
includes the right to be voted in public office.

Types of Suffrage:
1. Plebiscite refers to the process by which a certain question is
put to a popular vote for approval or rejection.
2. Elections refers to the expression of choice.
3. Initiatives involve a process by which the electorate directly
proposes or passes needed laws or programs without going
through the hassles of the legislative department.
4. Referendum refers to when a question or law or part of it is
submitted to the electoral body for its approval or rejection.
5. Recall is the process of removing an incumbent officer from
his/her position before the expiration of his/her term of office
by a vote of the people.
The Three Instruments that Embody the Human
Rights to Vote

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) – Article 21 (1-3) ,

December 10, 1948.

1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of this

country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
2. Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his
country.
3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of
government.
THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL
RIGHTS – ARTICLE 1 (A-C), MARCH, 1976

1. To take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through

freely chosen representatives;
2. To vote and to be elected at genuine periodic elections; and
3. To have access, on general term of equality, to public service.
THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION-
ARTICLE V, SECTIONS 1 AND 2 OF THE 1987
PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the

Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law.
2. The Congress shall provide a system for securing
secrecy and sanctity of ballot as well as a system for
absentee voting by disqualified Filipinos abroad.
DIFFERENT KIND OF ELECTIONS

1. GENERAL ELECTION- elections are held simultaneously on the

same day for all national and local officers.
2. NATIONAL ELECTIONS- elections for nationals officials, like the
President, Vice President, and members of Congress.
3. LOCAL ELECTIONS- elections for the offices in the provinces,
cities, and municipalities.
4. SPECIAL ELECTIONS- special elections are determined by the
Congress in the date different from that of the regular
elections, like the barangay elections and the SK elections,
and there exists a vacancy in an elective office.
Prescribed Qualification to Exercise Suffrage

1. A Natural-born Filipino Citizen;

2. 18 years of age on the day of election;
3. A resident of the Philippines for at least a year, and in the
place they are prescribed to vote for at least six months
immediately preceding the election; and
4. A registered voter.
Election Process

1. Registration
2. Election Day
3. Canvassing and Proclamation

Voter Registration

Registration refers to the act of accomplishing and filling of a

sworn application for registration by a qualified voter.
THE COMELEC

The COMMISSION ON ELECTION (COMELEC) – Pursuant to

Article-IX, Section 1, paragraph 2, the COMELEC shall have
the following composition.
1. Chairman – for a term of seven (7) years without
reappointment.
2. Commissioners – of those first appointed, three members
shall hold office for seven years, two members for five years,
and the last for 3 years without reappointment.
THE COMELEC – Powers and function

1. Judicial
2. Ministerial
3. Reportorial
4. Recommendatory

Election in the Philippines

1. We elect are officials directly.
2. Officials serve for fixed terms.
3. Officials are directly accountable to the people.
The Government
• Executive (Action Oriented)
Executive Positions:
1. National
a. President b. Vice President
2. Local
a. Governor b. Mayor c. Barangay Captain
3. Legislative (Analyst)
a. Reviews and evaluate proposals, and position papers
b. Conduct research on proposed bills and position papers
c. Consult experts
d. Defends and analyzes proposed bills
4. Legislative Position
a. National: Senator
b. Local: Congressman
Board Member
Vice Governor
Vice Mayor
City/Municipal Councilors
Barangay Councilors
Qualification of Elective Officials
1. President
• A natural-born citizen Filipino
• A registered voter
• Able to read and write
• At least 40 years old on the date of election
• A resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years
2. Vice President
• A natural-born citizen Filipino
• At least 40 years old on the date of election
• Able to read and write
• A registered voter
• A resident of the Philippines for at least 2 years
Qualification of Elective Officials
1. Members of the House Representatives
• A natural-born citizen Filipino
• A registered voter in the district in which he shall be
elected except party list representatives
• Able to read and write
• At least 25 years old on the date of election
• A resident of the district for a period of no less than 1 year
2. Party list Nominee
• A natural-born citizen Filipino
• At least 25 years old on the date of election
• Able to read and write
• A registered voter
• A resident of the Philippines for not less than 1 year
• A bonafide member of the party he seeks to represent for
at least 90 days
• A nominee shall come from the disadvantage group of
citizens which are organized and duly registered to the
COMELEC
Responsibilities:
1. President
• To faithfully and conscientiously fulfill his/her duties as
president
• To preserve and defined the constitution
• To execute its laws
• To do justice to every man
2. Congress
• To make laws and pass resolutions
• To declare the existence of the state of war by 2/3 votes of
both Houses, voting independently
• To grant the President emergency powers in times of war and
national distress
• To hear and decide cases of impeachment against high
officials
• To exercise the power to amend or revise the Constitution
• The power to tax and levy impositions
• To cancel or extend martial law
• To investigate in aid of legislation
• To approve the annual budget of the government as
prepared by the Executive.
Our Voting Practices
1. Voting by popularity
2. Vote-buying

Politics of Patronage
3. When the candidate of a political party wins an election, the
newly elected official has the right to appoint certain numbers of
persons to jobs in the government.
4. This is the essence of the patronage system, also known as the
spoils system.
5. The winning candidate appoints persons to government
positions on the basis of political support and work rather than
on merit, as measured by objective criteria.
Voters’ Behavior
The top four factors that determine the vote of the Filipino
electorate (based on a study made by the Institute for Political
and Electoral Reform-IPER) are:
1. Candidate’s public servant image;
2. Political machinery;
3. Candidate’s popularity; and
4. Endorsement of traditional networks and organizations, which
include the family, the church, the ward leaders, formal
groups, and association.
Other Contributory Factors
1. Voter’s behavior reflects the personalistic and patronage
orientation of traditional Filipino politicians or “trapo” who
win their seats in the government by applying the three (3)
G’s (Guns, Goons, and Gold);
2. “Utang na loob”- a feeling of pressure to support the political
interest of his/her benefactor.
3. For the poor Filipinos, selling their votes is considered an
investment, so they can depend on politicians for more
donations (food, school, supplies, medicines, money, and the
like.)
What qualities should we look for?
R- Righteous Governance
I- Integrity
G- Giftedness
H- Heart
T- Track

What is the value of your vote? (It is

priceless)
1. Equal chance for a vote, whether rich or
poor
2. Guaranteed opportunity to participate
Your vote will mean:
1. Better services from the from the executive;
2. Better policies and laws from the legislative;
3. A brighter future for us, Filipinos; and
4. Ultimately, the hope in our political system and country
lies in education, national consciousness, civic values,
transparency in governance, and social awareness and
organization at the grassroots.
5. There is hope.
ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE FILIPINO LEADERS AND
VOTERS
Before the Election:
1. Registered during the period allotted for voter registration;
2. Be informed of the issues and platforms of the political
candidates;
3. Set specific guidelines in choosing government/community
leaders in terms of the candidates’ political and social
affiliations, interest, competence, performances/tract records,
and lifestyle; and
4. Conduct and participate in public debates that would inform the
voters and gain the commitment of the candidates to integrate
their respective platforms/program of government.
During the Election:
1. Vote according to your conscience; and
2. Be vigilant, protect the integrity of votes by volunteering in
accredited organizations that work for clean, honest, and
peaceful elections.
After the Election:
3. Be vigilant in the counting and canvassing of votes;
4. Participate in local governance through development planning in
the barangay level;
5. Attend consultation meetings concerning issues in the barangay
level;
6. Support initiative of the civil society (People’s Organizations and
Nongovernmental Organizations-NGO’s); and
7. Make views known to the elected representatives in the
government.