Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Präsidentschaftswahlen 2010 in den Philippinen Bullmannaue 11 D-45327 Essen Tel.: (++49) 0201 830 38-28 Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Fax : (++49) 0201 830 38-30 Präsidentschaftswahlen Email: philippinenbuero@ asienhaus.de 2010 in den Philippinen Web: www.philippinenbuero.de 20.-21.März 2010, Jugendherberge Bonn-Venusberg Materialien zur weiterführenden Lektüre: Background of the Philippine Electoral System (page 2) Overview of the Party-List System in the Philippines (p. 3) A Summary of the Programs and Platforms of Government of all Candidates for the Presidency (p. 6) Automated System for the 2010 Philippine Elections (p. 15) Philippines fears electoral Chaos (p. 17) Foreign Observers says RP vote lacks Transparency (p. 20) Pre-Election Survey 24.-28.02.2010 (p. 20) Weitere Informationen (p. 24) Zusammengestellt von: Jolita Atienza, Katharina Wilkin Seite | 1 Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Präsidentschaftswahlen 2010 in den Philippinen Background on the Philippine Electoral System , by Jolita Atienza One of the many salient changes that The House of Chambers is bicameral, the 1987 Philippine Constitution with the Senate and House of brought was the establishment of a Representatives. The 24 member new system of elections. The 1972 Senate has senators elected for six charter, which the current one year terms, half of which are elected modified, was used by Ferdinand every three years. Representatives or Marcos to extend and prolong his grip Congressmen are limited to three on power. Thus, certain provisions terms, senators to two. were altered in order clip the length of Local government officials are elected the President and Vice-President’s to three year terms, with a three term terms, those serving in both House limit. Chambers (Congress) and those running for local or regional posts like governors, mayors, barangay chairman and so on. Like most countries in the world, those who are eligible to vote in the Philippines should be 18 years of age or above on the day of voting. Likewise the system of voting is through popular vote, meaning the candidate who garners the most Senators, congressmen and local number of votes wins. The COMELEC government officials are elected in (Commission on Elections) mid-term elections, but during the meanwhile, is mandated by the presidential election, they all can be Constitution to administer the elected at the same time elections and campaigns. Said constitution likewise gives the For the party-list in Congress, the COMELEC the power to accredit group must win 2% of the vote. No private or citizen backed groups (like party-list party may have more than 3 the National Movement for Free seats (see section on Party-list). Elections), which are tasked to help References: oversee the elections. http://countrystudies.us/philippines/86.ht m Things to remember: http://aceproject.org/regions-en/countries- The president and vice president are and-territories/PH elected for six year terms. They are http://www.philsol.nl/pir/JR-98a.htm forbidden to run again after their term http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_the ends. _Philippines Seite | 2 Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Präsidentschaftswahlen 2010 in den Philippinen Overview of the Party-List System in the Philippines , Jolita Atienza As an effort to provide ample five are considered to have substantial representation for the voiceless and chances of garnering the maximum under-represented, the party-list number of seats. These are as system in the Philippines was follows: institutionalized after its inclusion in 1. Bayan Muna (8.03%) the 1987 Philippine Constitution under 2. Aangat Pilipino (6.34%) Section 5 Article 6. 3. Anak Pawis (5.88 %) 4. Gabriela Women’s Party The party-list was later strengthened (5.55%) with the passage of Republic Act 5. Akbayan (5.07%) 7941, which in some ways provided a definition of the system, its The above figures are taken from the proportional representation in the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia House of Representatives and, and from 22-26 of January and appropriation of funds. As stipulated in subsequently published in national the said law, those included in the broadsheets like the Philippine Daily party-list system are “ parties, Inquirer. association, sectoral groups that For the 2007 elections, 13 party-lists represent Filipino citizens belonging to were proclaimed winners, with the top the marginalized or under-represented five namely: sector .” 1. Buhay (Buhay hayaan humabong) - 1,163,218 votes With regards to the proportional 2. Bayan Muna – 927,730 votes representation, it was stated that: “ Of 3. Cibac (Citizens Battle against the total membership of the House of corruption) – 760,260 v. Representatives, 20 percent is 4. Gabriela – 610,451 v. allocated for party list representatives 5. APEC (Association of Philippine including those under the party list”. Electric Cooperatives) – 538,971 v. Likewise, parties or groups that are running should at least garner two The above groups, reported by the percent of the total votes for the party- Philippine Daily Inquirer dated 10 July list to obtain one seat. 2007 were able to capture more than 1 or 2 seats each. The maximum number of seats, on the other hand, is three. Bayan Muna Often accused as a front of the Party-List Groups running in the CPP/NPA, Bayan Muna is a highly 2010 Elections progressive political party which has To date, there are 187 groups vying been three times elected into the for at least one seat per group in the House of Representatives. Founded in House of Representatives. Of the 187, September 1999, the objective of the Seite | 3 Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Präsidentschaftswahlen 2010 in den Philippinen group is to represent the ordinary marginalized sectors of society. The Filipinos (common tao or masa), such group believes that by participating in as those considered part of the Congress, “it can inject its influence, peasantry, the downtrodden, thus putting forward policies and indigenous people and urban poor by programs that would strengthen providing them with a genuine and programs for the toiling masses.” likewise new style of politics. Conceptualized in 2002 under the With its solid grass roots support, tutelage of the late Rep. Crispin Bayan Muna now has offices in 13 Beltran, Anak Pawis is also working regions and 57 chapters scattered in hand in hand with other genuine various cities, municipalities and progressive political parties to provide towns. a legitimate voice for the struggle of the masses.To date, the party has For this year, the group is again vying established offices and chapters in 15 for a party-list slot, and widely regions in the country. From the latest expected to capture the maximum surveys, it is expected to capture three number of seats. Its president and party list seats. founding member Satur Ocampo, is running for a senate seat, along with Gabriela Women’s Party Liza Maza as guest candidates of the An outcome of the militant women’s Nacionalista Party under Senator movement Gabriela, the GWP has Manuel Villar. been part of the electoral process since it first fielded its representative Aangat Pinoy in 2001. During that time however, Apart from being reported as coming Rep. Liza Maza run under the Bayan in as close second in the surveys right Muna Party, but was later fielded by after Bayan Muna, not much is known the GWP in 2004 after her successful about Aangat Pilipino (or Pinoy). It is foray in Congress. Since becoming however said that the group is part of the House of Congress, supported by Agusan Congressman Gabriela Women’s Party was able to Rodolfo Ompong Plaza, who is vying author two significant bills that for a senate seat under former empowered women and promoted President Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masa their rights: The Anti-Trafficking political Party. Person Act and, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act. Anak Pawis The electoral representative of the Formally established in 2000, GWP is militant group Kilusang Mayo Uno, one of the 5 top party-list groups Anak Pawis is a progressive party running in the 2010 elections. Liza which touts itself as the voice of the Maza, its Secretary General, on the working masses, peasants and other other hand is vying for a senate seat Seite | 4 Kaya Yan! Yes We Can! Präsidentschaftswahlen 2010 in den Philippinen under Manuel Villar’s Nacionalista garnered a slot in the 2007 elections – Party. As the name suggests, Gabriela the other one was Walden Bello – will Women’s Party’s key thrust is to fight be running for a senate seat as a for the rights and welfare of Filipino guest candidate of the Liberal Party. women “through participation in the BANTAY or Bantay Katarungan country’s electoral system and organs Foundation 1 of governance.” Earning a bit of notoriety for its Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party association with retired General Jovito Akbayan, also known as the Akbayan Palparan, this party-list group Citizen’s Action Party was conceived captured a seat in Congress when the by broad based social movement Supreme Court came out with a ruling groups, clamouring for political in 2009, increasing the number of transformation. The clamour for party-list seats by adding 55 more. change was brought about by the Bantay, which garnered only 169, 869 growing frustration over the type of votes was not eligible in 2007, democracy in the country, wherein benefited from this ruling. Thus, only the interests of the elite and Bantay was able to gain one seat, with powerful are heard. People Power Palparan as its first representative. came and went, but sadly the very Aside from gaining quite a reputation people and groups who took part were for having Palparan, touted by the left “never included in the decision making and progressives as “the Butcher”, this and policy implementation.” party-list group is said to represent rebel and CAFGU returnees and, men So to provide an alternative way of and women whose main task is to governance, which encourages provide security such as security participation from all sectors of guards.