LADY LOU PIDO Faculty, Department of Teacher Education

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

LADY LOU PIDO Faculty, Department of Teacher Education POLITICAL MEMES IN SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES: A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS LADY LOU PIDO Faculty, Department of Teacher Education UM Tagum College Mabini St. Tagum City, Davao del Norte ABSTRACT The study is a qualitative analysis of forty randomly selected political internet memes in social networking sites. Utilizing Barthes’ (1957) order of signification, the study examined the denotative and connotative meanings and the social issues found in the political internet memes. Findings revealed that the meme’s captions are not only humorous, witty catch phrases but are textual signs containing diverse connotations which the meme creators intended to deliver. Some memes reveal and mock a politician’s lack of understanding about public problems or failure to fulfill promises, and work incompetence. Moreover, most meme samples focus on the criticism of the political realities and expose political scandals like corruption. Indeed, these memes are basically internet jokes that satirize or mock a country’s social or political reality. The creators of these political memes usually refer to current public news and try to mock either the situation or the politician responsible for it. Finally, out of the political memes gathered and analyzed, ten (10) instructional materials were designed to improve pedagogy and classroom management. These memes were designed for: a) presenting class rules, b) introducing new vocabulary, c) recalling the past lesson in literature, d) emphasizing a historical event, and e) facilitating ice breakers. Key Words: political internet memes, social issues, connotations, instructional materials Introduction Communication in today’s modern society transpires through the internet. Online media’s arrival empowered people to create and publish their online creations for the entire world to see (Sulhan, 2016). Consequently, new communication phenomenon emerged: the Internet memes, which Axelrod (2016) defined as “humorous concepts that spread rapidly through the Internet and essentially function as an inside joke that a large number of internet users are fond of sharing.” She emphasized that memes are images, videos, or pieces of text slightly altered to react to various circumstances; they were traditionally created and shared mainly for entertainment but in 2016 a genre of memes with a political purpose emerged. Moreover, political memes have become one of the most compelling and vital forms of communication in the 2016 US election as they passed around social networking sites. Sulhan (2016) emphasized that these memes are powerful, clever tools for creating and instantaneously circulating a shorthand commentary on political malfeasance that comment on or satirize political communication. These memes provide more accessible avenues for citizens to participate in the political process. However, these political memes receive little attention compared to other forms of election humor like editorial cartoons (Tryon, 2016). Additionally, emergence of memes is just viewed as a form of entertainment by many people, not realizing their deeper meanings as a means of communication (Sulhan, 2016). Axelrod (2016) supported this by emphasizing that it is time to re-conceptualize them as the powerful communication tool because of their rapid and viral nature of swiftly shaping the public’s image of different candidates through their humor. In addition, these political internet memes portray the society’s economic, critical and cultural issues such as political ideologies, ethnic stereotypes, and gender representations. As per observed, most netizens may view these political memes as merely expressions of a political stand, but many are unaware of their denotative and connotative meanings, overlooking the hidden, intended meanings of these image macros. It is in this context that this study is anchored in order to find out the meanings as well as the social issues present on these political memes. The findings of this study would serve as important information to the netizens, educators, and researchers. Netizens would be aware that the internet memes contain deeper meanings and hidden social issues. Also, educators would be aware that these memes can also be used as engaging activities in the classroom instruction as demonstrated by Serano (2016). Lastly, this study may be used as basis for future studies regarding the use of internet memes. Research Questions 1. What are the meanings of the political memes used in social networking sites? 2. What are the social issues of political memes in social networking sites? 3. What instructional materials can be designed from the results of the study? Methodology Research Design This study employed a qualitative method employing Barthes’ order of signification to determine the denotative and connotative meanings of the textual signs found the political internet memes in social networking sites. It also identified the social issues embedded on the political memes by analyzing the ideologies found in them. The instructional materials that can be designed from the results of the study were also explored. Roles of the Researcher The following were the roles of the researcher. First, the researcher was a data collector. She downloaded political memes from social networking sites. Second, the researcher was an analyst; she applied Barthes’ order of signification on the different downloaded political memes to find out the denotative and connotative meanings of these memes. Out of the meanings, the social issues embedded on the political memes were also analyzed. Third, the researcher was a designer of instructional materials since she crafted educational tools from the results of this study. Data Collection The data were gathered through the following procedures. First, library research was done in obtaining information about Barthes’ order of signification. It is relevantly used in analyzing the meanings of the political memes. Second, online research was done to gather political memes in social networking sites. Lastly, the results of the study was used to create instructional materials out of the analyzed political memes. Data Analysis The data were analyzed through Barthes’ order of signification in determining the meanings of the textual signs of political memes which include the denotative or literal meaning, and their connotative or deeper meaning. The ideology or myth, which is the third level of signification was also used in finding out the social issues of the political memes. Trustworthiness and Ethical Consideration Trustworthiness of a research study is important to evaluate its worth. Trustworthiness involved establishing: Credibility, Transferability, Dependability, and Conformability. Credibility shows confidence in the truth of the findings. With this, the researcher assured that data were factual and authentic. 39 More so, this study ensures dependability by adapting the procedures of previously conducted related studies. To address transferability, as one of the features of trustworthiness, that shows the findings have applicability in other contexts, the complete set of data analysis documents was stored on a file and was made available when the need arises. Dependability, an attribute of trustworthiness, shows the findings are consistent and could be repeated. Other researches could use the gathered data of the researcher and do the step by step procedures in analyzing the data using other analytical tools such as critical discourse analysis or speech acts. Lastly, trustworthiness includes conformability that shows a degree of neutrality or the extent to which the findings of a study are shaped by the respondents and not researcher bias, motivation, or interest. The researcher acknowledged the study of T.T. Sreekumar and Shobha Vadrevu in analyzing the Online Political Memes and Youth Political Engagement in Singapore and Calimbo (2016) in her study Deconstructing Myths Via Humor of Philippine Political Internet Memes: A Semiotic Analysis. Results and Discussion In this chapter, the meanings and social issues of the political memes in social networking sites are identified and presented. The instructional materials design from these memes are also shown in this chapter. Meanings of Political Memes The analyses utilized Barthes’ (1957) order of signification. The first order of signification is the denotative or exact and literal meaning. The second order, connotative meaning, makes use of denotation as its signifier and attaches it to an additional signified. Connotation is subjective, personal and even poetic interpretation of words. The table below shows the different political memes in social networking sites which contain social issues. It presents the signs and the different signifieds found in each of the political memes specifically their denotative and connotative meanings. The political memes in this study are mostly composed of images of politicians and their promises, alleged cases, and issues linked to them. These are accompanied by captions which are witty and funny and catch phrases that give the memes a deeper meaning. Table 1. Meanings of political memes in social networking sites. SIGN SIGNIFIED Denotative Connotative PM 1 running Moving with your legs at a speed an effort, desire, or drive to win; to that is faster than walking compete; competing for the 2016 presidential election an elected official serving as president both chief of state and chief highest ranking official; power or political executive rule; power over others Binay is already acting as
Recommended publications
  • Resume of Chairman Gregorio D. Garcia
    GREGORIO D. GARCIA III Hello. PROFILE Greg is a marketing and branding/communications professional with a strong exposure in banking and real estate development. Today, Greg is a leading political consultant and is associated with the political campaigns of Senators Panfilo Lacson, Pia Cayetano, Alan Cayetano, Juan Edgardo Angara, Joel Villanueva, Nancy Binay, the vice presidential run of Jejomar Binay and the presidential campaign of Rodrigo Duterte. He was also involved in the mayoral campaigns of Lani Cayetano in Taguig and John Ray Tiangco in Navotas. Greg was also involved as consultant in the development of new marketing services under development by PagIbig, working with its CEO, Atty. Darlene Berberabe. He has a continuing involvement in the communications narrative of St. Luke’s Hospital and Nickel Asia Corporation. Greg finished all his schooling in Colegio De San Juan De Letran and finished in 1960. He is married to Myrna Nuyda of Camalig, Albay and has three daughters who are all in the fields of arts and culture. Greg was born on 28 June 1943. EXPERIENCE CREATIVE HEAD, ACE COMPTON ADVERTISING 1964-67 63917- 5 2 5 7 6 5 6 TWO SALCEDO PLACE CONDOMINIUM,TORDESIL LAS ST. PHONE ADDRESS Greg started as a copywriter and then became the lead creative for the Procter and Gamble business handling Tide and Safeguard. VICE-PRESIDENT, MARKETING 1967-1977 His well-earned marketing and branding reputation is associated with the success of Banco Filipino in the 60s and the 70s when he was pirated from Ace-Compton by Tomas B. Aguirre to help propel Banco Filipino as the biggest savings bank during that period.
    [Show full text]
  • Does Dynastic Prohibition Improve Democracy?
    WORKING PAPER Does Dynastic Prohibition Improve Democracy? Jan Fredrick P. Cruz AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness Ronald U. Mendoza AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness RSN-PCC WORKING PAPER 15-010 Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2640571 ASIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT RIZALINO S. NAVARRO POLICY CENTER FOR COMPETITIVENESS WORKING PAPER Does Dynastic Prohibition Improve Democracy? Jan Fredrick P. Cruz AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness Ronald U. Mendoza AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness AUGUST 2015 The authors would like to thank retired Associate Justice Adolfo Azcuna, Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid, and Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta, former members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission; Dr. Bruno Wilhelm Speck, faculty member of the University of São Paolo; and Atty. Ray Paolo Santiago, executive director of the Ateneo Human Rights Center for the helpful comments on an earlier draft. This working paper is a discussion draft in progress that is posted to stimulate discussion and critical comment. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Asian Institute of Management. Corresponding Authors: Ronald U. Mendoza, AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness Tel: +632-892-4011. Fax: +632-465-2863. E-mail: [email protected] Jan Fredrick P. Cruz, AIM Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness Tel: +632-892-4011. Fax: +632-465-2863. E-mail: [email protected] RSN-PCC WORKING PAPER 15-010 Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2640571 1. Introduction Political dynasties, simply defined, refer to elected officials with relatives in past or present elected positions in government.
    [Show full text]
  • Senatoriables and the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill Claim
    Ateneo FactCheck 2013 Fourth Brief Fact Check: Senatoriables and the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill Claim: Candidates, who are members of political dynasties, will not champion or will not support an anti-political dynasty bill in Congress; while candidates, who are NOT members of any political dynasty, are expected to champion and support an anti-dynasty bill. Fact checked: The 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties but left it to Congress to enact an enabling anti-political dynasty law. Exactly 26 years after the constitution was enacted and despite several attempts, no such law has been passed by either chamber of Congress. All versions of the bill have not even gone way past the committee level for second reading. Now that the 2013 midterm election is coming, what is to be expected from at least the top 20 candidates vying for a seat in the Senate? While an exact definition is still elusive, it is liberally accepted that political dynasties are those candidates who have more than one family member in any elective public position or are running for elective positions and holding such position for several terms before passing it on to either the immediate or extended family members. Generally the top 20 candidates for the Senate, according to major survey outfits, are dominated by members of well-known political dynasties. Exactly 13 out of the 20 are members of dynasties, namely: Sonny Angara, Bam Aquino, Nancy Binay, Alan Cayetano, Ting-Ting Cojuangco, JV Ejercito, Jack Enrile, Chiz Escudero, Dick Gordon, Ernesto Maceda, Jun Magsaysay, Cynthia Villar and Mig Zubiri. Except for newcomers like Bam Aquino and Nancy Binay, most candidates are veteran or experienced politicians in Congress.
    [Show full text]
  • A Case Study of Filipina Senators' Bill Proposing
    THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN POLITICIANS ON IMPROVING WOMEN’S RIGHTS: A CASE STUDY OF FILIPINA SENATORS’ BILL PROPOSING SINCE 2000S AHHYEONG LEE A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATISATION) FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY 2019 COPYRIGHT OF MAHIDOL UNIVERSITY iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS To my advisor at Ateneo Professional School, Ms. Amparita, I am truly thankful for all the kindness you have given me. You were a great support when I first came to Ateneo, especially in my overall thesis work. Your suggestions and good words have helpe me in completing my work, in addition to your quick responses whenever I had troubles and questions about my thesis. To my co-advisor at Mahidol University, Ms. Coeli, I have been very grateful for your hard work whenever I send you my work. You always check my work with comments to improve it, so I can finish my work with your help as well. And lastly, to my parents who were my biggest support, I cannot thank you enough for everything. Ahhyeong Lee Fac. of Grad. Studies, Mahidol Univ. Thesis / iv THE INFLUENCE OF WOMEN POLITICIANS ON IMPROVING WOMEN’S RIGHTS: A CASE STUDY OF FILIPINA SENATORS’ BILL PROPOSING SINCE 2000S AHHYEONG LEE 6137017 HPRD/M M.A. (HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATISATION) THESIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE: AMPARITA DE LOS SANTOS-STA. MARIA, LL.M.(LAW), COELI BARRY, Ph.D. (COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT) ABSTRACT Women have had the same right to vote as men for over one hundred years; however, most of the political sphere is still perceived as the domain of men.
    [Show full text]
  • Publications
    Publications WAR AGAINST CHILD ABUSE by: Jam Aigelle M. Borja According to Velayo (2006), in many third world countries, violence against children continues to be a pressing problem. The Philippines is similar to many other Asian countries in a way that the violence is often manifested in the form of abuse. As stated in Rappler in the year 2012, according to a 2009 report of PLAN Philippines a children’s organization, at least 5 out of 10 Filipino children in grades 1-3, 7 out of 10 in grades 4-6, and 6 out of 10 in high school have experienced some kind of violence in school. The most common forms of physical violence experienced by Filipino children are: pinching, having objects such as books, chalks, erasers thrown at them. As mentioned above, Senate Bill No. 1477, known as “Positive Discipline of Children Act of 2017”, a bill which promotes positive and nonviolent discipline of children, prohibiting all forms of corporal punishment, humiliating and degrading treatment, appropriating funds therefor, and for other purposes has been filed on May 29, 2017 by Grace Poe, Nancy Binay, Risa Hontiveros, and Leila De Lima. This bill covers the school, home, and other institutions where the child moves. But the most affected coverage of this bill is the school where the child spends most of his time every day. It is significant for a student to enhance and boost his or her self-confidence inside and outside of the school premises. That is why the school serves as the second home wherein they can hone their abilities, skills, and many more.
    [Show full text]
  • Seventeenth Congress of the ) Republic of the Philippines
    SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) ^■'141- ■ REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 0( ! lO i- . I I'itirp Second Regular Session ) *17 AUG 30 P3 ‘42 SENATE COMMITTEE REPORT NO. Submitted by the Committee on Energy, Committee on Science and Technology, and Committee on Finance. AUG 3 0 ?Pl/ _______ . Re: Senate Bill No. 1574 Recommending its approval in substitution of Senate Bill No. 1290 Sponsor: Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian MR. PRESIDENT: The Committees on Energy, Science and Technology and Finance, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 1290, introduced by Senator Gatchalian, entitled: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENERGY RESEARCH AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" have considered the same and have the honor to report it back to the Senate with the recommendation that the attached bill. Senate Bill No._ 1574 .entitled: "AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE ENERGY RESEARCH AND POLICY INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" be approved in substitution of Senate Bill No. 1290, with Senator Gatchalian as author thereof. Respectfully submitted: CHAIRPERSONS: rRE^JBi-fcEGARDA SHERVWN T. GATCHALIAN Chairperson, Committee on Finance; Chairperson, Committee on Member, Committee on Energy, Energy^^ember, Committee on Committee on Science &Technology Finance PAOLO BENIGNO "BAM"AQUINO IV Chairperson, Committee on Science and Technology; Vice Chairperson, Committee on Finance, Member, Committee on Energy VICE CHAIRPERSONS: /lUCHARDJ^^GORDON MARIA LOURDES NANCY BINAY V kc Chairperson. Committee on Vice Chairperson, Committee on Energy;/Member, Committee on Finance Energy; Member, Committee on Finance GREGORIO B. HONASi CYNTHIA A.
    [Show full text]
  • Senate Committee Chairmanships of the 17Th Congress
    PHILIPPINES Senate committee chairmanships of the 17th Congress 1. Accounts – Panfilo Lacson 2. Agrarian Reform – Alan Peter Cayetano 3. Agriculture and Food – Francis Pangilinan 4. Banks, Financial Institutions, and Currencies – Francis Escudero 5. Blue Ribbon – Richard “Dick” Gordon 6. Civil Service and Government Reorganization – Antonio Trillanes IV 7. Climate Change – Loren Legarda 8. Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Laws – Franklin Drilon 9. Cooperatives – Juan Miguel Zubiri 10. Cultural communities – Nancy Binay 11. Economic Affairs – Sherwin Gatchalian 12. Education – Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV 13. Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation – Leila De Lima 14. Energy – Sherwin Gatchalian 15. Environment and Natural Resources – Cynthia Villar 16. Ethics and Privileges – Vicente Sotto III 17.`Finance – Loren Legarda 18. Foreign Relations – Alan Peter Cayetano Games and Amusement – Panfilo Lacson Government Corporations and Public Enterprises – Richard Gordon Health and Demography – Risa Hontiveros Justice and Human Rights – Leila De Lima Labor, Employment & Human Resources Development – Joel Villanueva Local Government – Juan Edgardo Angara National Defense and Security – Gregorio Honasan Peace, Unification, and Reconciliation – Gregorio Honasan Public Information and Mass Media – Grace Poe Public Services – Grace Poe Public Order and Dangerous Drugs – Panfilo Lacson Public Works – Manny Pacquiao Rules – Vicente “Tito” Sotto III Science and Technology – Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development – Cynthia Villar Sports – Manny Pacquiao Tourism – Nancy Binay Trade and Commerce – Juan Miguel Zubiri Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement – JV Ejercito Ways and Means – Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality – Risa Hontiveros Youth – Joel Villanueva .
    [Show full text]
  • THE MAY 2019 MID-TERM ELECTIONS: Outcomes, Process, Policy Implications
    CenPEG Political Situationer No. 07 10 July 2019 THE MAY 2019 MID-TERM ELECTIONS: Outcomes, Process, Policy Implications Introduction The May 2019 mid-term elections took place amidst the now familiar problems of compromised voting transparency and accuracy linked with the automated election system (AES). Moreover, martial law was still in place in Mindanao making it difficult for opposition candidates to campaign freely. Towards election time, the systematic red-tagging and harassment of militant opposition candidates and civil society organizations further contributed to an environment of fear and impunity. In this context, the Duterte administration’s official candidates and allies won most of the contested seats nationally and locally but how this outcome impacts on the remaining three years of the administration is open to question. This early, the partisan realignments and negotiations for key positions in both the House and the Senate and the maneuverings for the 2022 presidential elections are already in place. Such actions are bound to deepen more opportunistic behavior by political allies and families and affect the political capital of the presidency as it faces new challenges and problems in its final three years in office. The Senate Elections: “Duterte Magic?” In an electoral process marred by persistent transparency and accuracy problems embedded in the automated election system, the administration candidates and allies dominated the elections. This victory has been attributed to the so-called “Duterte magic” but a careful analysis of the winning 12 candidates for the Senate shows a more nuanced reading of the results. At best, President Duterte and the administration can claim full credit for the victory of four senators: Christopher “Bong” Go, Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa, Francis Tolentino, and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.
    [Show full text]
  • Philippine Mid-Term Elections: a Duterte Double
    ISSUE: 2019 No. 27 ISSN 2335-6677 RESEARCHERS AT ISEAS – YUSOF ISHAK INSTITUTE ANALYSE CURRENT EVENTS Singapore | 11 April 2019 Philippine Mid-term Elections: A Duterte Double Malcolm Cook* EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • On 13 May, the Philippines will hold elections for all local and provincial positions, all seats in the House of Representatives, and half of the 24 seats in the Senate. • If the current opinion polls prove accurate (as they have in the past): o President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter Sara Duterte, even though neither is running for national office, will be the biggest winners nationally; o the composition of the new Senate will be more favourable to President Duterte and his campaign for a new federal constitution; and o the new Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party coalition led by Sara Duterte will be well placed for the 2022 presidential and legislative elections. *Malcolm Cook is Senior Fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. 1 ISSUE: 2019 No. 27 ISSN 2335-6677 INTRODUCTION The 13 May mid-term elections in the Philippines, with over 18,000 elected positions to be decided, will be the second largest exercise in democracy in Southeast Asia this year after the 17 April elections in Indonesia. To the chagrin of drinkers and bettors, on Monday 13 May, the “selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, or taking intoxicating liquor” will be prohibited across the Philippines as will the “holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or any other similar sports.1 The coverage of Philippine mid-term elections in the post-Marcos era invariably focusses more on the Senate than the House of Representatives or sub-national positions and are seen as a partial referendum on the serving president even though their name does not appear on the ballot.
    [Show full text]
  • MAR Vs BINAY… Vs POE?
    In partnership with presents... AUGUST 2015 Vol. 4 No. 8 MAR vs BINAY… vs POE? Binay to Mar: “Tinalo ko na siya” PAGE 3 Poe hits Mar PAGE 3 With just nine months to go, alent senator Grace Poe as said she is 80% sure of run- the stage is set for the high- the third candidate still ning for the highest post of ly anticipated 2016 Philip- looms in the horizon after the land. pine Presidential elections. she, and her friend and ad- In a latest development and viser, Senator Chiz Escudero After officially endorsing twist of drama, a misrepre- (who will be her tandem in interior secretary Mar Rox- sentation case was filed case she finally decides) met as as the Liberal Party’s against Senator Grace Poe with National People’s Coa- standard bearer, a return by a senate loser candi- lition (NPC) party, the sec- bout between Roxas and his date alleging among others ond biggest political party erstwhile nemesis, vice that the lady senator com- of the nation, to presumably president Jejomar Binay, is mitted misrepresentation “test the waters”. now in the offing. when she filed her certifi- Roxas has invited senator cate of candidacy in 2013 It may be an interesting Poe to be his vice president where she declared she was “return bout” for Roxas and but so far, the neophyte lady a natural born citizen when Binay since the latter beat lawmaker has remained she was not. him in the 2010 vice presi- tightlipped on her political Lito David claimed that dential contest.
    [Show full text]
  • Susur Galur 3-2 2015.Indb
    SUSURGALUR: Jurnal Kajian Sejarah & Pendidikan Sejarah, 3(2) September 2015 Published every March and September ISSN 2302-5808 Jurnal Kajian Sejarah & Pendidikan Sejarah ASPENSI SRUSURGALU AGNES S. REYES & JUDITH R. GARCIA Voting Behavior of Teachers in North Philippines and its Implication to Education ABSTRACT: The Philippines, in its form, is a democratic and a republican state with Presidential in form. Thus, with its being democratic, it is in the people where sovereignty resides. It is in their hands that people signifying intentions to occupy elected positions are to be instituted to do such. While good governance is the process by which institutions conduct the affairs of the government as they manage the resources of the public in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. The study endeavored to describe and analyze the elements that determine and infl uence the teachers’ decision to vote for particular candidates in the Philippine 2013 midterm election, through the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Survey questionnaires were administered to a sample composing twenty percent of the total number of teachers per school. The study revealed that teachers’ choice did not match with the voters’ choice in the 2013 midterm election for Senators and party list. The result posts a great challenge to education as an agent of socio-political transformation. It implies that education must help people fully understand the political condition of the country; and teachers are tasked to engage themselves seriously in shaping political consciousness and attitudes among their clients. KEY WORD: Voting Behavior; Teachers; Midterm Election; Senators and Party List; Socio-Political Transformation.
    [Show full text]
  • SUMMARY of SENATE BILL on SECOND READING* First Regular Session, Eighteenth Congress
    Reports Legislative Research Service SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL ON SECOND READING* First Regular Session, Eighteenth Congress S. NO 1240 AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING BAMBOO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES, CREATING THE BAMBOO INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT CENTER, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES (In Substitution of Senate Bill Nos. 337, and 524) Authors: Senators Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Cynthia Villar, Miguel Zubiri, Nancy Binay, Ramon Bong Revilla, Richard Gordon, Franklin Drilon, Joel Villanueva, and Francis Tolentino Referred to Primary Committee: Trade and Commerce Secondary Committees: Ways and Means Finance Key words: bamboo industry, development, incentives ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This measure aims to make the Philippine bamboo industry competitive in the local and international markets while providing opportunities for local employment and community enterprises. Towards this goal, the bill creates the Bamboo Industry Development Council and the Bamboo Industry Development Center that will serve as the secretariat of the former. It also provides incentives for bamboo planters and plantation owners. Under the Bill, the Council is tasked to formulate a roadmap for the development of bamboo industry in the country, identification of relevant programs, and sources of financing. The law provides that the Council submit an annual report on the status of implementation of the roadmap to the president of the Philippines, to the Senate and House of Representatives. Moreover, the Council shall be authorized to regulate the export of bamboo poles. The Council shall be composed of the Secretary of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or his/her representative as the chair, and the Secretary of Department Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or his/her representative as the co-chair.
    [Show full text]