Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk Catholic Schools System, Inc.

5 St. William’s Academy Bulanao, Inc.

Senior High School Department
Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga, 3800 Philippines
C.N:___
School Year 2020 – 2021

LEARNING MODULE IN PHILIPPINE POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE 11

MODULE NO.5-6. CONCEPT MODULE

TOPIC: ELECTION AND POLITICAL PARTIES

C. N:____ Name: _____________________________________ Grade and Section:_______________________

Dear Parents;
In this time of health pandemic, we would be glad if you could help us facilitate this lesson to our learners to be able to
continue his/her the holistic development. Thank you and we will heal and journey as one.
School Administration

I. LEARNING TARGETS:
At the end of this lesson, the learners will be able to:
1. Describe the nature of elections and political parties in the Philippines;
2. Identify the types of electoral systems;
3. Asses the implications of the type of electoral systems on politics and governance; and
4. Analyze the nature of elections and political parties in the Philippines.

II. LESSON PROPER

ELECTIONS
 “a device for filling an office through choices made by a designated body of people: the electorate”
 For the ordinary citizen: “elections are seen as the clearest instance of politics entering their lives”
FUNCTIONS OF ELECTIONS:
 Advance of democratization is associated with the adoption of liberal-democratic electoral systems, which possess:
universal suffrage, the secret ballot, and electoral competition.
 Harrop and Miller: two contrasting views of the function of competitive elections
 Conventional View: politicians can be held accountable and forced to introduce policies that reflect public
opinion. Emphasizes the bottom-up functions of elections.
 Radical View: Ginsberg: means through which governments and political elites can exercise control over
their populations. Emphasizes the top-down functions of elections
 Elections provide the opportunity for the government and the governed to influence each other.
Central Functions Of Elections (Heywood 2013)
1. Recruiting political leaders
Through elections, politicians – people who possess talents and skills relevant to electioneering – are
chosen. These skills may not be necessarily related to what politicians are required in accomplishing their
functions.
In the Philippines, as in any other democracy that holds elections, government officials are recruited by
means of elections.
2. Making Governments
In countries where the executive is elected, elections directly make the government (i.e., the administration,
a group of leaders vested with power and authority for the time being). In parliamentary governments,
elections are an avenue in the formation of these governments.
In the Philippines, elections do not only create the government (in this context, the group of individuals
responsible and accountable in policy-making), but the opposition as well.
3. Providing representation
In fair and competitive systems, elections become the means through which people’s demands are channeled
to the government.
Elected officials are considered the link between the government and the people.
4. Building legitimacy
Elections provide justification for a system of rule and thus help in fostering legitimacy. Elections also
mobilize active consent by encouraging citizens to participate in politics through elections.
In the Philippines, as in elsewhere, officials who are given seats in the government are considered holders of
legitimate power as people elected them.
5. Strengthening elites
While elections can encourage people to participate in politics and link people to the government, elections
can also be a vehicle through which the political elites can manipulate and control the masses.
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
 a set of rules that governs the conduct of elections (Heywood 2013).
 Electoral systems are the ways by which votes are translated into seats in the legislature or in any other areas such as
the presidency.
Two Types of Electoral System
1. Majoritarian electoral system- larger political parties win a higher proportion of seats than the proportion of votes they
gain in the election.
2. Proportional system- there is a guarantee of an equal, or at least more equal, relationship between the seats won by a party
and the votes gained in the election.
Three Main Functions
1. Translate the votes cast into seats won in a legislature;
2. Act as conduit through which the people can hold their elected representatives accountable;
3. Give incentives for those competing for power to couch their appeals to the electorate in distinct ways.
ELECTORAL SYSTEMS
1. MAJORITARIAN
ELECTORAL FEATURES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES EXAMPLES
SYSTEM
Single-member  The country is divided  It establishes a clear  It distorts electoral UK (House of
plurality systems into single-member link between preferences by “under- Commons),
(first-past-the- constituencies representatives and their representing” small USA,
post”) (legislative districts) constituents. parties. Philippines
usually of equal size.  It offers the voter a clear  It undermines legitimacy (House of
One district has one choice of potential of the government Representatives)
representative. parties in the because often, the created
 Voters select a single government. governments enjoy only
candidate.  It allows the formation minority supports.
 The winning candidate of governments that
needs only to gain a have a clear mandate
plurality of votes. from the electorate.
Second ballot  Single-candidate  It broadens electoral  It distorts preferences, as Traditionally in
system constituencies are choice. it is little more France
created and single-  Because candidates can proportional than the first-
choice voting is only win through a past-the-post system.
observed as in the first- majority of votes, they  Runoff candidates may
past-the-post system. have to make their abandon their principles
 A candidate needs an appeal as broad as in exchange for short-
overall majority of the possible. term popularity to get
votes cast to win on the  A strong and stable elected.
first ballot. government is possible  The runoff may strain the
 A second run-off ballot as in the first-past-the- voters’ patience and
is held between the top post system. political interest.
two candidates when no
candidate gains a first-
ballot majority.
Alternative vote  There are single-  Fewer votes are wasted  It is not much more Australia (House
(AV) system; member constituencies. unlike in the first-past- proportional than the first- of
supplementary  Preferential voting is the post system. past-the-post system and Representatives
vote (SV) system done. In the AV system,  Unlike in the second is biased in favor of larger – AV) and the
the electorate ranks ballot system, outcomes parties. UK (London
candidates in order of cannot be influenced by  Those who supports mayor – SV)
preference: 1 for first deals made between small, and possibly,
preference, 2 for candidates. extremist parties, may
second, and so on. In determine the outcome of
the SV system, there is the elections.
only a single  The winning candidates
supplementary vote. may enjoy little first-
 A candidate must win preference support, that
50% of all the votes cast is, they were not the first
preferences. option of the voter.
 Votes are counted
according to the first
preference. If not, a
candidate gains 50%,
the bottom candidate is
eliminated, and his or
her votes are
redistributed according
to the second (or
subsequent.)

2. PROPORTIONAL
ELECTORAL FEATURES ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES EXAMPLES
SYSTEM
Additional  a proportion of seats are  The hybrid nature of the  The single-member Germany, Italy,
member system filled by the first-past- additional member constituencies in this and Russia
the-post system through system balances the system prevent the (State Duma)
 single member need for constituency achievement of high
constituencies. representation against levels of proportionality.
 The remaining seats are the need for electoral  Constituency
filled using a party-list fairness through the representation suffers
system. party-list system. because of the size of
 The electorate casts two  While it is a constituencies, which are
votes: one for proportional system, it generally twice as large as
constituency and the makes a single-party the first-past-the-post
other for the party government possible. system.
 This system gives the
electorate more choices.
Single-  There are multimember  The system is capable  The degree of The Republic of
transferable-vote constituencies, each of achieving highly proportionality varies Ireland and the
system electing up to five proportional outcomes. based on the party system. UK (Northern
members.  Candidates from the  There is unlikely a Ireland
 Parties may field as same party compete, possibility for strong and Assembly)
many candidates as which means they can stable single-party
there are seats to be be assessed based on government.
filled. their records and stance  Intraparty competition
 Voters elect on issues. may be divisive. This may
preferentially as in the  There are several allow members to
AV system. members and this gives disregard their
 Candidates are elected if the constituents quite a responsibility toward their
they achieve a quota, lot of options on who to constituents, given the
the minimum number of take their grievances to. excessive focus on
votes needed to elect the competition driven by
required number of personal interest.
candidates.
Party-list system  The entire country is  The party-list system is  The existence of many Countries
treated as a single the only potentially pure small parties can lead to a throughout
constituency. In the case system of proportional weak and unstable Europe, the
of regional parties, there representation, and is government. European
are multimember therefore fair to all Parliament,
constituencies. parties. Philippines
 Parties compile list of (House of
candidates to place Representatives)
before the electorate,
descending preferential
order.
 Electorate vote for party
not for candidates.

POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEM

POLITICAL PARTIES
 A group of people that is formally organized for the purpose of winning government power through electoral or
other means.
 Major organizing principle of modern politics.
 It links the state and civil society, the institutions of the government, and the groups and interests that operate within
society.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTIES
1. They aim to exercise government power by winning seats in the government.
2. They are formally organized bodies with “card carrying” membership. Membership involves taking of formal oath.
3. They adopt a broad issue focus and address major areas of government policy.
4. They are united by shared political preferences and ideological identity to varying degrees.
FUNCTIONS OF POLITICAL PARTIES
1. Representation- political parties are vehicles through which the interests of the people are carried out in the government.
2. Elite formation and recruitment- political parties provide a training ground for politicians.
3. Goal formulation- political parties are seen as means through which societies set collective goals.
4. Interests articulation and aggregation- political parties help articulate various interests in a society by developing
collective goals.
5. Socialization and mobilization- political parties serve as agents of political education and socialization through a series of
internal debates and discussion, and through campaigning and electoral competition.
6. Organization of government- political parties help in the formation of governments.

PARTY SYSTEM
 The complex relationship between parties helps in the structuring of the political system. This network of
relationship is commonly referred as party system.
Ways of Distinguishing the type of party system
1. Based on the number of parties competing for political power.
2. Depending on the size of parties relative to their electoral and legislative strength.
3. Has something to do with how parties relate to each other.
MAJOR TYPES OF PARTY SYSTEM
1. One-party system- only one party dominates and there is no political competition between parties.
2. Two-party system- two parties primarily dominate the political landscape and smaller parties only play a subordinate role.
3. Dominant party systems- other parties are present but only one party dominates and enjoys prolonged periods of time.
4. Multiparty system- more than two parties compete for power over time.

ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

The Development of Elections and Political Parties in the Philippines
1. Spanish period- limited form of suffrage was observed. Only the principals were allowed to vote and were eligible
to run as gobernadorcillo.
2. American period- Americans initially conducted municipal elections in pacified areas under military rule.
3. December 1900- The Federalist party (FP) was established by upper-class Filipino led by Trinidad Pardo de Tavera.
4. November 1901- The Anti-Sedition law was passed.
5. 1902- Philippine Bill of 1902 was passed, which created the Philippine Assembly.
6. March 12, 1907- The Nacionalista Party was formed as a merger of several nacionalist movements that pushed for
Philippine Independence.
7. June 30, 1907- the first legislative election was held under the first General Election Law of the Philippines (Act
No. 1532).
8. 1916- The Jones Law of 1916 transformed the unicameral Philippine Legislature into bicameral.
9. 1917- The Progresista Party (formerly FP) merged with the Partido Democrata Nacional.
10. 1946- The Liberal Wing among the Nacionalistas became the Liberal Party.
11. April 7, 1978- the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan or New Society Movement was established as an umbrella organization
of Marcos’ supporters. Lakas ng Bayan or People’s Power was organized as a new opposition led by Benigno
Aquino Jr., an LP member.
12. August 1980- The United Nationalist Democratic Opposition was established by the Laurel faction of the NP and
members of pre-martial law and the anti-Marcos opposition.
13. January 1984- The COMPACT was created.
14. May 14, 1984- revival of the National Movement For Free and Fair Elections.
15. February 7, 1986- Corazon Aquino ran as President against Marcos.
16. February 25, 1986- The EDSA People power broke out.

MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES DURING THE POST-EDSA PERIOD

1. LAKAS-NUCD-UMDP
 Lakas ng EDSA (Power of EDSA)-National Union of Christian Democrats-United Muslim Democrats of the
Philippines.
 Became the largest party after Fidel Ramos was elected into presidency in 1992.
 The Lakas was a product of the merger between the newly formed The LAKAS ng EDSA and the older
National Union of Christian Democrats-Union of Muslim Democrats of the Philippines founded in 1984.
2. LABAN NG MAKABAYANG MASANG PILIPINO
 Was a coalition of two major and one minor opposition parties. These were the the LDP, the Nationalist
People’s Coalition (NPC), and the Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).
 LAMMP was led by then Senator Edgardo Angara former head of the LDP.
3. LIBERAL PARTY
 The only pre-1972 political party in the country that remains in existence today.
 Founded by Manuel Roxas on January 19, 1946.

Note: Submit only the activity sheet (last page). The remaining pages of the concept module will serve as your
reviewer

C.N: ______ Name:_________________________________________ Section:________________

ASSESMENT: Encircle the letter that corresponds to your chosen answer. 2pts each
1) It means the power to enforce and administer the laws.
a. Executive Power b. Legislative Power c. Judicial Power
2) It is the power stated in Section 17, Article II in which the president shall have control of all the executive departments’ bureaus,
and offices.
a. Power of Appointment b. Military Power c. Administrative Power d. Power to grant Pardons and Amnesty
3) How many years will the president of the Philippines serve the country?
a. 3 b. 4 c.5 d. 6
4) Who is the commander-in-chief of all the armed forces of the Philippines?
a. Pnp Chief Debold Sinas b. Pres. Rodrigo Duterte c. Lieutenant General Gilbert I. Gapay
5) What branch of the government where laws are enacted?
a. Executive Branch b. Legislative Branch c. Judicial Branch
 6) It is vested upon the Congress of the Philippines in accordance with the 1987 Constitution.
a. Executive Power b. Legislative Power c. Judicial Power d. People Power
7) It is the primary agency that handles matters concerning the settlement of issues regarding the rights and interpretation of law.
a. Executive Branch b. Legislative Branch c. Judicial Branch
8) What court is responsible over criminal and civil cases involving graft and corrupt practices and such other offenses committed
by public officers and employees, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations, in relation to their office
may be determined by law?
a. Supreme Court b. Court of Appeals c. Sandiganbayan d. Regional Trial Court
9) What system means first-past-the-post or winner-takes-all election?
a. Proportional Representation b. Majority Electoral System c. Plurality Electoral System d. None of the above
10) It is used as a mechanism to fill governmental offices by means of a choice made by the people or the electorate?
a. election b. plebiscite c. recall d. initiative
MODIFIED TRUE OR FALSE: Write TRUE if the statement is true and if it is FALSE write the word that makes the statement correct
on the space provided.
FALSE1. Appointments are process by which voters select officials.
TRUE 2. Elections are political exercises.
TRUE 3. Regular election for president, vice president, senators, members of the House of Representatives and local officials are held on
the second Monday of May.
TRUE 4. The Commission on Election is a constitutional commission.
FALSE5. The 2013 National Election was the first to utilize an automated election system.
FALSE 6. A regular election is conducted to select the official who shall be part of the unexpired term for which the incumbent has been
elected.
FALSE 7. A senator should be at least 40 years old on the day of election.
TRUE 8. Sectoral parties may participate in the Party List System.
FALSE 9. The age qualification of a voter is at least 21 years old.
FALSE 10. The proportional electoral system applies the principle that parties should be awarded 6 indirect proportion to their share of
votes.
TRUE 11. Special Election is done or conducted to select normally through balloting.
TRUE 12. The acronym AFP stands for ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES.
FALSE 13. R.A No. 8536 was created authorizing COMELEC to use an automated election system.
FALSE 14. Snap Election is the process by which voters in a country select the officials who will exercise the powers of government.
TRUE 15. Every Filipino should be 18 years old or above on the day of election to exercise their right to vote.
FALSE 16. A certain Filipino voter can participate on the day of the election though they are not included on the registered master list of
COMELEC.
TRUE 17. Barangay is the smallest unit of the government.
TRUE 18. COMELEC is composed of a Chairman and six Commissioners who are natural-born citizens of the Philippines.
FALSE 19. The Chairman and Commissioners of COMELEC are appointed by the Supreme Court.
FALSE 20. The 2016 election was the first national election that utilized an automated election system.

ACTIVITY 1: Show similarities and differences of each electoral system using Venn Diagram.
Majoritarian and Proportional System. (Use the back portion of this sheet)
ACTIVITY 2
1. Give the full meaning of the following acronyms: (Use the back portion of this sheet)
a. COMELEC- COMMISSION ON ELECTION
b. CSC- CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
c. COA- COMMISSION ON AUDIT
d. PCOS- Precinct count optical scan 
2. Enumerate the powers and functions of COMELEC conferred by the 1987 Philippine Constitution and the Omnibus Election Code of
the Philippines.
3. What does Section 2(1) of Article IX(C) of the Philippine Constitution stipulates?
4. What is the importance of RA No. 8436?
Note: Submit only this sheet. The remaining pages of the concept module will serve as your reviewer

Prepared By: Ms. Lyka Francess S. Balunggay, LPT Checked by: Mr. Alexis B. Luban, MPA
SHS Coordinator
Ms. Maria Christina B. Laoan, LPT
Approved by: Sr. Celestina Bangcoleng, SIHM
Principal
Parent’ Signature: ______________________________Date: ___________________