AN ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE ELECTORAL REFORM

A Research Paper

Presented to the

Faculty of the Department of Political Science

School of Law and Governance

University of San Carlos

Cebu City, Philippines

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the course

Data Gathering and Analysis POSC142CC

By

RESE MIKELA R. CAPACIO AB-POSC LPS 4

JEREKA MAE U. ESCALONA AB-POSC LPS 4

MAY 2019
 University of San Carlos
Department of Political Science
Center for Governance, Leadership, and Development
PoSc142cc Data Gathering and Analysis

Thesis Adviser’s Endorsement

May 2019

Greetings of peace!

I, Joanna Marie Fuentes-Baroman, the designated thesis adviser of the student/s listed in this
document, do hereby confirm that I have done series of consultations and/or discussions with the
student/s; exhaustively read her/his paper as well as given the inputs I see fit for the improvement of
the student/s thesis.

After fulfilling all the enumerated roles and responsibilities as a thesis adviser, I hereby confirm the
following:
1. That the student/s-researcher/s have completed all of the pertinent
inputs/comments/suggestions given her/him through the consultation;
2. That the version of the paper herewith submitted is satisfactory in quality, both in content and
form;
3. That the student/s-researcher/s can defend her/his thesis on questions of disciplinal value and
research rigor.

Hence, as the thesis adviser, I hereby humbly endorse the acceptance of the following student/s-
researcher/s for Proposal Hearing. Moreover, I agree to further assist the student/s-researcher/s with
the comments/suggestions of the Defense Panel. Thank you very much for this opportunity.

List of Endorsed Students

Name/s of Students Course & Year Title of Thesis

o CAPACIO, RESE MIKELA R. AB-POSC LPS 4

o ESCALONA, JEREKA MAE U. AB-POSC LPS 4

JOANNA MARIE FUENTES-BAROMAN

Signature over printed name and Date

University of San Carlos

 Department of Political Science
Center for Governance, Leadership, and Development
PoSc142cc Data Gathering and Analysis

PLAGIARISM FORM
(this must be filled appropriately and submitted along with the Thesis Proposal)

University of San Carlos Student Manual 2006 Edition

Art. IV Service Support Units

2.5.7 Major Offenses: Plagiarism, forgery, falsification, tampering, alteration
or misuse of official school records, documents or credentials

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name RESE MIKELA R. CAPACIO

Program AB POSC LPS 4
Course POSC142CC DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS

Title of Thesis

I, the undersigned, confirm that I understood the University policy about plagiarism and the
importance of intellectual honesty.

I testify that the work I submitted is wholly my own, and that any quotations or section of
text taken from the published or unpublished work of any other person is duly and fully
acknowledged therein.

Signature of Student
Date of Submission

Student Receipt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name of Student RESE MIKELA R. CAPACIO

Title of Course POSC142CC DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS
Date Received
Received by (N&S)

University of San Carlos

 Department of Political Science
Center for Governance, Leadership, and Development
PoSc142cc Data Gathering and Analysis

PLAGIARISM FORM
(this must be filled appropriately and submitted along with the Thesis Proposal)

University of San Carlos Student Manual 2006 Edition

Art. IV Service Support Units

2.5.7 Major Offenses: Plagiarism, forgery, falsification, tampering, alteration
or misuse of official school records, documents or credentials

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name JEREKA MAE U. ESCALONA

Program AB POSC LPS 4
Course POSC142CC DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS
Title of Thesis

I, the undersigned, confirm that I understood the University policy about plagiarism and the
importance of intellectual honesty.

I testify that the work I submitted is wholly my own, and that any quotations or section of
text taken from the published or unpublished work of any other person is duly and fully
acknowledged therein.

Signature of Student
Date of Submission

Student Receipt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Name of Student JEREKA MAE U. ESCALONA

Title of Course POSC142CC DATA GATHERING AND ANALYSIS
Date Received
Received by (N&S)
 APPROVAL SHEET
This paper entitled “” prepared and submitted by RESE MIKELA R. CAPACIO in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for POSC 142CC: DATA GATHERING AND
ANALYSIS has been examined and is recommended for acceptance and approval for
PROPOSAL HEARING.

PAPER PROPOSAL COMMITTEE

JOANNA MARIE FUENTES-BAROMAN

Thesis Adviser

MS. KAY S. CONALES, MA PMD MS. BRENETTE ABRENICA, MAPA

Committee Member Committee Member

MR. OWEN DELA VICTORIA, LLB

Committee Chair

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

Approved by the Committee on Oral Examination with a grade of .

MS. BRENETTE ABRENICA, MAPA

Chairperson, Department of Political Science

MS. KAY S. CONALES, MA PMD GRACE MAGALZO-BUALAT

Committee Member Committee Member

MR. OWEN DELA ICTORIA, LLB JOANNA MARIE FUENTES-

BAROMAN
Committee Chair Thesis Adviser

Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR IN LAW AND POLICY
STUDIES.

ATTY. JOAN S. LARGO, LlM

Dean, School of Law and Governance

MAY 2018
Date of Proposal Hearing
 APPROVAL SHEET
This paper entitled “” prepared and submitted by JEREKA MAE U. ESCALONA in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for POSC 142CC: DATA GATHERING AND
ANALYSIS has been examined and is recommended for acceptance and approval for
PROPOSAL HEARING.

PAPER PROPOSAL COMMITTEE

JOANNA MARIE FUENTES-BAROMAN

Thesis Adviser

MS. KAY S. CONALES, MA PMD MS. BRENETTE ABRENICA, MAPA

Committee Member Committee Member

MR. OWEN DELA VICTORIA, LLB

Committee Chair

PANEL OF EXAMINERS

Approved by the Committee on Oral Examination with a grade of .

MS. BRENETTE ABRENICA, MAPA

Chairperson, Department of Political Science

MS. KAY S. CONALES, MA PMD GRACE MAGALZO-BUALAT

Committee Member Committee Member

MR. OWEN DELA ICTORIA, LLB JOANNA MARIE FUENTES-

BAROMAN
Committee Chair Thesis Adviser

Accepted and approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR IN LAW AND POLICY
STUDIES.

ATTY. JOAN S. LARGO, LlM

Dean, School of Law and Governance

MAY 2018
 Date of Proposal Hearing
ACKNOWLEDGMENT

It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions and hindrances encountered while making

this research. Everything would be impossible if it weren’t for the people who were there for us

since day one. It wasn’t easy and it will never be easy; but having these people, who have given

all their love, care, and support have made it all possible.

We had a hard time accomplishing our goal to make this research paper reach our

expectations. It’s such a great honor to have Mrs. Joanna Marie Fuentes-Baroman to be our

research supervisor. Without your assistance and dedicated involvement in every step throughout

the process, this paper would have never been accomplished. We are very thankful for your

understanding and support over these past few months.

None of this would have happened without our family. Special mention to our parents,

Kenneth Redoble and Jerry Geralde, and Jerome Escalona and Merlita Escalona. For the never-

ending encouragement and moral support during the times that we experience our ups and

downs. Also, for the love and care that has never left our side and for being with us every step of

the way.

More importantly, we would like to thank the Man above. Our God, our Father, for our

granted prayers and for giving us the strength and courage to pursue our studies and for guiding

us through our daily challenges and giving us countless of blessings.

 ABSTRACT

This study focuses on electoral reform; its aspects, the challenges and issues, and how it

is made. Electoral reform consists of electoral conduct and embraces the electoral system itself.

In this study, it analyzes the formulation of the law by the state and the determinants of electoral

reform, so as with the contribution to the improvement of the Philippines. In order to achieve the

study, the researchers have conducted a qualitative method by doing a document review through

the proposals, recommendations, proposed bills and enforced laws by the Philippine government.

The researchers shall also give treatment to the data through the chosen theoretical and

conceptual framework that is most suitable for this study.

Keywords: electoral reform, electoral system, political actors

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRELIMINARIES
Thesis Adviser’s Endorsement ii
Plagiarism Form iii
Approval Sheet v
Acknowledgement vii
Abstract viii
Executive Summary ix

1 INTRODUCTION
Rationale of the Study 1
THE PROBLEM
Statement of the Problem
Statement of Assumptions
Statement of Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitation of the Study
DEFINITION OF TERMS
ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
Review of Related Literature
Theoretical Framework
Conceptual Framework

3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Environment
 Research Respondents
Research Instruments
Research Procedures
Gathering of Data
Treatment of Data
Research Design

4 DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

5 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

BIBLIOGRPAHY

APPENDICES
A Transmittal Letter
B Research Instrument
C Timetable of Activities
D Program Budget
E Curriculum Vitae
F Electoral Reform Laws of the Philippines

LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES

 CHAPTER 1

RATIONALE

CURRENT ELECTORAL SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES:

During the second Monday of May, election takes place in the Philippines. Election is the

embodiment of the popular will, the expression of the sovereign power of the people; it is the

casting and receiving of the ballots, counting them, and making the return. As established in the

1987 constitution, in the current electoral system in the Philippines, a president and a vice

president will be elected by direct vote of the people. Unless otherwise provided by law, the

regular presidential election shall be held at six-year intervals on the second Monday of May.

The national legislature is bicameral; the new Congress represents a return to bicameralism after

the recent experiment with unicameralism, which was established by the 1973 Constitution and,

in fact, also initially provided for in the 1935 Constitution before it was amended in 1940. The

lower house consists of 200 representatives which are appointed by the President for three-year

terms from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every

vacancy, and so as sectoral representatives. This process of appointment is in the provision in

Article VIII, which is intended to “de-politicize” our courts of justices, ensure the choice of

competent judges, and fill existing vacancies as soon as possible so as not to unduly disrupt

judicial proceedings. The senate is composed of 24 senators who shall be elected at large by the

qualified voters of the Philippines, as provided by law. They are elected nationally for six-year

terms, the other half is elected every three years. Representatives are limited to three terms, and

senators to two. The governors, provincial councils, municipal and city mayors, municipal and

city councils, also considered as local government officials, are elected to three-year terms with a
three-term limit. On the other hand, the senators, congressmen, and local government officials

are elected during mid-term elections. But everyone is elected at the same time during the

presidential election years. As constitutionally mandated, the Commission on Elections

(COMELEC) supervises the elections.

The current Philippine electoral system has been established by the 1987 Philippine

Constitution regulating that there are different kinds of elections which are the following: regular

election and special election. From having manual election, the Philippines embraced efficiency

and change and has used the “appropriate technology” (Sec. 2, R.A. 9369) which is the

Automated Election System to consolidate and process the election results. The said Constitution

has also regulated the duration of the election and campaign period. The election shall be held

nationally and locally. Wherein, the President and Vice President shall be elected nationally for

every six years. The national legislature is bicameral, consisting of two houses. The upper house

is the Senate wherein there are 24 Senators elected nationally for six years, half of the said

officials shall be elected every three years. The local government officials such as the governors,

provincial councils, municipal and city mayors, municipal and city councils are elected every

three years. However, for the barangay elections corresponding to rural and urban areas, the

elections are held separately. The election is supervised by one of the constitutionally

independent bodies which is the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The COMELEC has

been vested with several powers which has been provided in Section 2, Article IX-C of the 1987

Philippine Constitution and Section 52 of the Batas Pambansa Blg. 881 or the Omnibus Election

Code.

ISSUES CONCERNING THE ELECTORAL REFORMS AND HOW THESE REFORMS

WENT:
 Political and electoral reforms must accomplish in strengthening and making accountable

every political party system, so as the party-list system, especially relating to financial support in

campaigns, should implement the constitutional provision on political dynasties; focusing on

reforming or on the replacement of the Sangguniang Kabataan as a youth participation vehicle

for electoral and democratic governance; and that the constitutional reforms are required in

relation to political and electoral provisions, such as in the areas of expanding local initiatives

(federalism), expanding people's participation in legislation and governance (shifting to a

parliamentary system), limiting the role of the Election Commission (Comelec) to the

administration of elections and defining a separate system to be handed over to them.

In the Philippines, electoral reforms are critical in terms of the current problems in the

community. The relationships between representatives and citizens include conflicts of interest,

electoral issues and unequal opportunities for both the representatives and the public. Electoral

reform in the Philippines will contribute to better electoral and electoral system executions of the

Election Commission itself. It would also provide citizens with better opportunities and allow

people to participate in a far wider electoral process and development, improve transparency and

accountability throughout the electoral system and among representatives and administration,

ensure free and fair elections through various constitutional arrangements or reforms, and

introduce new bills.

Present bills pending in Congress for electoral reforms should be adopted. The Election

Commission should also be professional and rid of partisanship, modernization of elections and

vigorous education for citizens. Prior to the elections in 2010, constitutional reforms are remote.

The current deficiencies in the political and electoral system, however, should be resolved, in
particular by the people themselves. The people, including the young, are in the forefront of

ensuring a fair and free 2010 national and local elections.

STATE PHILIPPINES HAS WEAK DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS:

Philippines has weak democratic institutions, it is due to the nature of Philippines politics

that is elitist. Philippine politics is governed by political dynasties. It started during the pre-

colonial period wherein, it is ruled by maharlikas, the Philippine version of royalty. The reign

and succession are guaranteed through their heirs. It continued in the Colonial Period, wherein

the principalia, an emerging class of local elite has rose to power among other families within a

specific area. Passing through the American Period then to the Post-War Era and post-Edsa. The

rise of the political dynasties weakens the bureaucracy, these families continue to hold power

both politically and economically. The aftereffect of this monopolization of power is, the never-

ending problem of the failure to establish strong democratic institutions and laws or regulations

that shall uphold good governance, accountability and transparency. Also, graft and corruption

became a permanent issue within the Philippine bureaucracy. The occurrences of these concerns

are due to the control of the elite in the government and their concentration of power. It shall

make the government ineffective in carrying out development-oriented policies and programs for

the country and lead to the prevention of the emergence of broad-based political and economic

institutions. The elites use their political power as an advantage to gain more power and benefits.

This is also the case for their supporters. In the field of policy making, their power translates to

particular policies to cater themselves, their private interests and business elites, rather than

paving way for the betterment for the collective good. In simpler terms, it is a reciprocal
relationship for the elites and their dependent clients. Resulting to a so-called zero-sum

relationship, the rise of the elites and the proceeding decline of the government power.

*The electoral system of the country establishes various institutions and rules governing

democracy*

An electoral system as defined is a “set of rules and regulations governing the voting

process” and it “translates the votes cast in a general election into seats won by parties and

candidates” (Reynolds et al., 2005). The existence of an electoral system is essential as it is a

vital pillar of democracy as it shapes the nature of representation in any system and structure the

arena of political competition. Electoral system may affect other areas of electoral law, in terms

of how voters are registered, the design of ballot papers, how votes are counted and other aspects

of the political process. An election system has a deep effect on the future political life of the

Philippines. In terms of policymaking, it can help the politicians to calculate their policy choices

and then provide different incentives to make narrow or broad-based appeals for the state and

citizens which then can shape public policy outcomes and determine the behavior and incentive

structures of political areas. When it refers to the election, it shall serve as a mechanism for

stability and legitimacy. The purpose of the election is to authorize and establish representative

bodies to fill an office within the government.

NATURE OF THE POLITICS: ELETIST:

RESEAON/IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY:

 THE PROBLEM

Statement of the Problem:

This paper aims to analyze Congress-proposed political party reforms in the Philippines

from 1987 up to the present.

Specific Objectives:

1. Determine how many of the political party reform proposals are successfully adopted.

2. Present the status quo of the political party system in the Philippines after the

implementation of the successfully adopted reform proposals.

Statement of Assumption:

There are electoral reforms being introduced by different stakeholders, government

institutions, and civil society from 1987 up to the present. The electoral reform in the Philippines

is greatly affected by the status quo of the political parties in the Philippines; so as with the state

as a weak elitist.

Statement of Hypothesis:

1. The electoral reform in the Philippines is mainly concerned with the aspects of electoral

system.
Significance of the Study

This study, “An analysis of the Congressed proposed political party reforms in the

Philippines from 1987 up to the present”, will benefit the following:

Scope and Limitation of the Study
DEFINITION OF TERMS
ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY
 CHAPTER 3

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Environment

The study shall only be limited to web search. The research shall be conducted in Cebu,

Philippines.

Research Respondents

The essential information for this research shall be acquired from various authors and

institutions who has creditable knowledge and expertise on political party reforms. It shall also

involve the proposals of various institutions on the said reforms which shall be from political

actors within the branches of government, government agencies and non-government agencies

who are responsible think-tanks of the various, specified and introduced political party reforms.

Research Instruments

The research is qualitative, and the research shall utilize the following method:
Document Review. As stated previously, the researchers shall utilize documents that focus on the

political party reforms. The researchers shall highlight on the important details and shall be

presented in the literature and be infused within the presented data of the research.

Research Procedures

The research itself is a qualitative research. It shall obtain data through document review.

Through the following methods, the researchers shall be able to provide the data as provided on

the general objective and specific objective on the first chapter of the study.

Gathering of Data

The researchers shall use document review in order to obtain the needed data. The

researchers shall gather congress-proposed political party reforms from the accredited

websites from government agencies and non-government agencies.

Treatment of the Data

Through the data gathered, it shall be correlated with the specified theoretical

framework and conceptual framework form the previous chapter.

Research Design
 CHAPTER 2

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Review of Related Literature

Theoretical Framework

Conceptual Framework
 CHAPTER 4

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

 CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY OF FINDING, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

RECOMMENDATIONS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDICES

A. Transmittal Letter
B. Research Instrument

OBJECTIVES VARIABLES DATA SOURCES INSTRUMENTS

Determine the Introduced- Studies that Documents Documents review

electoral Recommended introduced
reforms or Proposed reform in the
enforced for the electoral system
last 30 years.
Independent
Variable-
Electoral
Reforms

Determine the Aspects of the List of aspects Documents Documents review

various and electoral that the electoral
specific aspects reform targeted
being targeted.
Electoral
Reform
C. Timetable of Activities
D. Program Budget
E. Curriculum Vitae

RESE MIKELA R. CAPACIO

B16L16 Deca Homes Tunghaan Minglanilla, Cebu

Cell # 09452000636

[email protected]

PERSONAL DATA

Date of Birth : March 19, 1999

Age : 20

Place of Birth : Cebu City

Father : Kenneth R. Capacio

Mother : Paul Vaughn W. Capacio

Religion : Roman Catholic

Sex : Female

Civil Status : Single

Language / Dialect Spoken : English, Tagalog, Visayan

TERTIARY University of San Carlos

P. del Rosario St., Cebu City 6000

4th yr student at present

SECONDARY Saint Theresa’s College Cebu

General Maxilom Ave. Street, Cebu City

Batch 2014-2015

ELEMENTARY Saint Theresa’s College Cebu

General Maxilom Ave. Street, Cebu City

Batch 2010-2011

JEREKA MAE U. ESCALONA

Metropolis Subdivision Pit-Os, Cebu

Cell # 09173580732

[email protected]

PERSONAL DATA

Date of Birth : May 28, 1998

Age : 20

Place of Birth : Cebu City

Father : Jerome R. Escalona

Mother : Merlita U. Escalona

Religion : Roman Catholic

Sex : Female

Civil Status : Single

Language / Dialect Spoken : English, Tagalog, Visayan

TERTIARY University of San Carlos

P. del Rosario St., Cebu City 6000

 4th yr student at present

SECONDARY San Isidro Parish School

1256 J. Bontuyan St., Talamban, Cebu City

Batch 2011-2015

ELEMENTARY San Isidro Parish School

Talamban Cebu City

Batch 2010-2011