Philippine Politics - Republicanism and Democracy

RYOICHI OKADA

We talked about Republicanism, Liberalism and Democracy. I find these very useful for a society to run smoothly. I wonder now if Philippines possess any of these three. What do you think?

Republicanism

Republic of the Philippines - We truly are republican. Power is inherent in the position than in the individual. It is often a rejection of dynastic succession. In our country, yes the power is inherent in the position than in the individual to a certain extent only.

There are politicians in our country who stay powerful and influential after they are removed from their post. It is sometimes caused by the wealth they acquire illegally while they were on the post. It may be they have made some projects or programs for their own advantage and benefits. As a figure, they also become prominent and influential. Thus, these power stays with them even after the post. We sometimes even coin the term 'former' (president or whatever) when some addresses them. This means that they are acknowledged as to have held their post. Where I believe the concept of Republicanism is not about it. The individual should not inherit even the smallest of power from his or her post, not even the name.

Some of them, like the former president Arroyo, even chooses to stay on power by running on a different position. Her work as the president made her image somewhat 'bad'. Now that she changed her post, her image still remains. The power may be inherent in the position, but the image these politicians acquire from serving their post still remains.

We can say that we possess this ideology (republicanism) despite the things mentioned above.In my opinion, the power is inherent in the position than in the individual before a person acquires the post. But after this person acquires the post, the power is still inherent in the post, but the individual is privileged to get some of the power brought about by his post.

Liberalism

State grants maximum freedom to his subjects

I think the Philippine Government cannot grant maximum freedom to his subjects. This may cause upheavals that may be detrimental to the society. Filipinos are given freedom through democracy.

Democracy

Two kinds of Democracy:

1) Direct - the people themselves rule

2) Representative - the people choose a leader who will rule them

We are a democratic country. Philippines fall on representative type of democracy. In democracy, the people rule, literally. The people should decide on what the State should do, and this should be applied whether we follow a direct or a representative type of democracy. Its still democracy after all. People choose a leader democratically, not for this person to rule them, but to follow and hear their voices, the chosen leader just executes what the people want. But whats happening in our democratic country now? We are not heard by the government. They work on their own. Yes, its true that we voted for them to rule our country. We have given them the rights and the responsibilities, but I think its not for them to abuse it. Sometimes we don't even see the election's transparency. We are sometimes fooled. The rampant vote buying in the country steals the freedom of the people. Politicians cheat in elections. Is this the epitome of democracy?

I hope being a republican democratic country will not just be by the word, but there will come a day that we can execute perfectly this type of government.

RYOICHI OKADA