Philippine Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has been gaining high trust and satisfaction ratings in surveys conducted by various research outfits. These results seem to contradict her performance as the second highest official of the land, particularly her continuing silence on the West Philippine Sea issue despite the clamor of the majority of the Filipinos to defend the Philippine maritime territory, and the dismal performance of Filipino students in international assessments. These raise the questions about the factors contributing to the apparent disconnect between public perception and objective performance indicators.
Survey Methodology, Framing Questions and Public Perception
One significant factor to consider is the methodology used in these surveys. The OCTA Research survey, like many others, may rely on a sample that is not fully representative of the entire population. Access to technology, such as computers and smartphones, varies significantly across different demographics in the Philippines, potentially leading to a bias where urban and wealthier individuals are overrepresented. This can skew results, making them less reflective of the broader public sentiment.
Why is LRay Villafuerte keen on pushing what is unconstitutional?
Camarines sur’s Congressman LRay Villafuerte filed House Bill 10344 which seeks to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) originally scheduled for December 1, 2025. The bill proposes moving the BSKE polls to October 26, 2026, and subsequently holding them every three years thereafter. This legislative measure is being pushed despite the ruling in Macalintal vs. Comelec (G.R. No. 263590/G.R. No. 263673. June 27, 2023) that postponing the BSKE is contrary to the 1987 Philippine Constitution. What benefit, if any, will Villafuerte achieve?
Barangay and SK elections are fundamental to the grassroots democratic framework in the Philippines. They ensure that local leaders are accountable to their constituents and allow young people to participate in governance through the SK. These elections are scheduled regularly to maintain a dynamic and responsive local government structure.
In recent years, the political landscape of the Philippines has seen its fair share of controversies, with individuals of questionable backgrounds managing to secure significant political positions. A prime example is Mayor Alice Guo of Bamban, Nueva Ecija, whose dubious past did not prevent her from running for and winning the municipal mayoral race. Another is the ex-convicts who continue to occupy juicy elective posts because they have resources to cover their criminal backgrounds, and money to buy the voters. Such instances raise critical questions about the efficacy and integrity of our electoral system. To prevent similar cases in the future, it is imperative to undertake comprehensive political reforms aimed at strengthening the political party system and ensuring accountability.
Strengthening the Political Party System
A robust political party system is the backbone of any healthy democracy. Unfortunately, the current state of political parties in the Philippines leaves much to be desired. To address this, political parties must adopt strict membership guidelines. These guidelines should include thorough background checks and vetting processes to ensure that candidates have clean records and are genuinely committed to public service.
Political parties must also prioritize accountability and internal democracy. This means establishing ethics committees responsible for reviewing and approving the candidacies of their members, ensuring that only individuals of high moral and ethical standards are allowed to run for office. Additionally, parties should regularly publish financial reports and disclose their sources of funding. This transparency will help reduce the risk of corruption and increase public trust in political institutions.
Tackling Political Dynasties
Political dynasties have long been a contentious issue in the Philippines. Analysts and political observers have lamented their prevalence, arguing that they undermine democracy and perpetuate unequal power structures. However, with a strict and accountable political party system, we can address this problem effectively.
By implementing stringent membership guidelines and ensuring internal democracy, political parties can balance the rights of younger generations of political dynasts to enter politics and contribute to society while providing voters with viable alternatives. This approach allows political dynasties to continue participating in the political process without monopolizing it, thereby giving voters genuine choices between parties.
Furthermore, political party reforms should include a rule that no member who has joined a party for less than three years will be allowed to run as a candidate in an election. This ensures that candidates are truly committed to their parties and policies, rather than merely using party affiliation as a convenient stepping stone to power.
In a Senate hearing that promised to unveil substantial allegations of illicit activities involving high-profile figures, Senator Bato Dela Rosa instead showcased what can be criticized as stark political grandstanding. The focus of the hearing was a document leaked by dismissed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Jonathan Morales, which implicated former President Bongbong Marcos and actress Maricel Soriano in supposed drug-related activities. Despite the severity of the accusations, the proceedings wwere conducted with no substantial evidence presented and no legal actions taken, casting a shadow over the true motives of the hearing.
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
The lack of legislative substance and the questions manifesting as fishing expeditions is prompting us to question the actual intent behind convening the hearing. Was it an attempt to substantiate former President Rodrigo Duterte’s public assertions labeling Marcos as a “drug addict” and “bangag”? But Duterte had been backtracking on his words so what is there to prove in the first place? Or, was the hearing a strategic play by Dela Rosa to remain relevant in the public eye as the 2025 midterm elections approach, preventing his political narrative from fading into oblivion?
While China is winning the hearts of the Makapilis, it is losing in the eyes of the international community. The recent Scarborough Shoal incident where Chinese Coastguard water bombed Philippine government vessels elicited reactions from diplomats from at least 13 countries calling China’s behavior as aggressive, coercive, unlawful and disrupts the peace and stability in the region.
Should China persist in bullying the Philippines, it risks facing significant isolation and a decline in global standing. It is crucial to note that China’s economy heavily relies on exports, totaling a staggering US$2.796.8 billion in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Any disruption in international relations could have detrimental effects on its trade dynamics, including recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom. These sanctions, particularly impacting cybersecurity and trade relations, stem from allegations of Chinese involvement in aiding Russia’s actions against Ukraine. The repercussions of such actions have prompted Chinese authorities to vehemently protest against the UK’s measures.
Polevu 