Marinel D. Marcos
TESDA Ilocos Norte Provincial Office
Master’s in Business
Administration
Abstract
This
paper explores the ethics of political tactics in the Philippines through a
combination of academic understanding and personal observation. In current
events and political discourse, strategies like vote buying, patronage,
political dynasties, and disinformation are not only common but also normalised
in many communities. These tactics, while often rationalised as “part of the
system,” compromise democratic principles, silence dissent, and damage the
credibility of public institutions. Some voters accept money or favours during
elections without fully understanding the long-term implications for governance
and accountability. Social media has also become a space where truth is easily
manipulated, creating confusion and division. Drawing from both scholarly
resources and personal insight, the paper emphasises the need for a new
political culture, one grounded in ethics, civic responsibility, and genuine
public service.
Keywords
Political
ethics, patronage, disinformation, Philippine politics, and democratic integrity
Introduction
Politics,
by nature, is a realm of strategy. Leaders must persuade, negotiate, and
compete to gain power and implement their visions. However, in the Philippines,
political tactics often blur the line between strategy and manipulation. While
some political manoeuvres are considered normal in democratic systems, others
raise deep ethical concerns. Practices such as vote buying, patronage, and
disinformation campaigns continue to influence electoral outcomes and policy
directions, often at the expense of democratic ideals and the public interest.
This paper examines the ethical implications of these practices and explores
how political morality can be recentered in the country's governance. It aims
to critically evaluate these tactics from a moral perspective, questioning
whether effectiveness in politics should come at the cost of integrity. It also
calls for political education, stronger institutions, and a citizenry that
values honesty and accountability in leadership.
Vote
Buying and Electoral Integrity
Vote
buying remains one of the most visible and widely practised forms of unethical
political behaviour in the Philippines. It occurs when candidates or their
representatives offer money, goods, or services in exchange for votes, often
just days or hours before an election. Despite being illegal under the Omnibus
Election Code, vote buying remains widespread and, in many communities, is
even expected. It is a deeply entrenched tactic that reflects the intersection
of poverty, weak political accountability, and cultural normalisation of
transactional politics.
During
local and national elections, vote buying can feel like a lifeline for many
voters, especially in poorer barangays, where a few hundred pesos or a bag of
groceries can make a real difference. However, this momentary gain masks
long-term damage. Elections are supposed to be a time when citizens choose the
best candidates based on platforms, competence, and integrity. But when votes
are bought, the process becomes a marketplace of influence where the richest
candidates often win, not the most qualified or principled ones.
Ethically,
vote buying undermines the foundation of democratic integrity. It reduces the
citizens’ right to vote, a fundamental democratic duty, to a commodity. This
erodes the value of political participation, distorts election results, and
weakens public trust in the democratic process. Moreover, it perpetuates a
cycle of corruption: candidates who spend large sums to secure votes often view
their term in office as a return on investment rather than an opportunity to
serve. This mindset leads to the misuse of public funds, patronage
appointments, and neglect of long-term development goals.
What's
even more troubling is how both voters and candidates rationalise vote buying.
Voters sometimes justify accepting money with the reasoning: “We never
benefit from politicians anyway, might as well take what we can now.” On
the other hand, politicians may view it as a necessary evil to stay
competitive, especially when their rivals are engaging in the same practice.
This normalisation of unethical conduct underscores the systemic and deeply
ingrained nature of the problem.
Vote
buying is not just a political decision; it is a moral one. It is a stand
against manipulation, short-term thinking, and the abuse of poverty for
political gain. Educating voters about the value of their vote, enforcing
stricter campaign finance laws, and empowering communities economically are all
necessary steps toward eliminating vote buying. But more importantly, we must
cultivate a political culture where integrity, not money, is the currency of
leadership.
Patronage
and Dynastic Control
Patronage
politics remains deeply embedded in the Philippine political culture.
Politicians use government positions, contracts, or services to reward allies
and supporters. Political dynasties also flourish, limiting opportunities for
new leaders and entrenching inequality. While these practices may be legal,
they raise ethical concerns about fairness, representation, and the
monopolisation of power.
Disinformation
and Manipulative Media
Disinformation,
or the deliberate dissemination of false or misleading information, has become
a dominant political tactic in the Philippines, particularly in the era of
social media. Unlike simple misinformation, which may be accidental,
disinformation is intentional and calculated to deceive the public, manipulate
narratives, and advance political agendas. It often involves coordinated
campaigns using fake news websites, troll farms, manipulated videos, and bots
to shape public opinion and attack opponents.
In
recent elections and political controversies, social media platforms like
Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have become battlegrounds for political
influence, where certain personalities or historical events are repackaged to
promote a particular image or ideology..
This
raises serious ethical concerns. First, disinformation erodes the foundation of
democratic decision-making by disseminating falsehoods to the public. In a
democracy, voters must make informed choices, but how can they do so when lies
pollute their access to facts? Second, it creates division and hostility, as
people become entrenched in echo chambers, unwilling or unable to engage in
respectful, fact-based dialogue. Third, it allows those in power to avoid
accountability by controlling the narrative, often at the expense of truth and
justice.
On a
deeper level, disinformation is not just a failure of information systems; it's
a moral failure. It involves a conscious choice to deceive, distract, and
manipulate. It reflects a political culture that prioritises winning over truth
and influence over integrity. As someone who values critical thinking and
ethical leadership, I believe that combating disinformation must begin with
education, teaching people how to evaluate sources, question content, and
recognise manipulation.
Moreover,
there is a need for stronger regulation and accountability from tech companies,
government agencies, and media institutions. Social media platforms must take
responsibility for the content they host, while public institutions must
promote transparency and fact-based communication. Citizens, too, have a role
to play by actively resisting disinformation and engaging responsibly online.
In
summary, disinformation is one of the most dangerous political tactics in the
Philippines today, not only because of its effectiveness but because of the
long-term damage it inflicts on public trust, civic unity, and democratic
institutions. Addressing it requires more than just technical solutions; it
requires ethical leadership, vigilant citizenship, and a deep commitment to
truth.
Red-Tagging
and Suppression of Dissent
Red-tagging
is a political tactic that involves labelling individuals, organisations, or
groups, especially activists, journalists, and critics of the government, as
communists, insurgents, or terrorists, often without concrete evidence. In the
Philippines, this practice has intensified in recent years, particularly under
administrations that view dissent as a threat to national security rather than
a sign of a healthy democracy.
This
tactic is ethically alarming because it violates fundamental human rights,
including freedom of expression, the right to due process, and the presumption
of innocence. Red-tagged individuals have often faced serious consequences:
harassment, surveillance, job loss, or even physical harm. Several cases have
tragically escalated into violence or extrajudicial killings, with little
accountability from state forces.
Conclusion
and recommendation
This
paper on the ethics of political tactics in the Philippines highlights the complexity
of our political culture and the moral choices faced by both leaders and
citizens. Many people have come to accept unethical political behaviour such as
vote buying, red-tagging, and online disinformation as “normal” or even
necessary to survive in a flawed system. This normalisation is troubling, as it
dulls our moral sensitivity and weakens our democratic institutions. While
these tactics may be effective in achieving short-term political goals, they
ultimately erode public trust, breed apathy, and deepen the divide between
leaders and the people they are supposed to serve.
We
need a transformation in political culture, one that begins with political
education, especially among young people, and is reinforced by institutions
that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
In
conclusion, ethical political conduct should never be sacrificed for the sake
of convenience or tradition. The Philippines deserves leaders who act not only
with strategy but with integrity. By choosing ethics over expedience, we can
build a political system that truly serves the public good, one where power is
exercised not for personal gain, but for the advancement of the nation and the
pursuit of social justice.
REFERENCES
Coronel, S. S. (2019). Disinformation
and democracy: Social media and elections in the Philippines. Asian Journal
of Political Science, 27(3), 314–332.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02185377.2019.1669471
David, R. (2022). Politics
of patronage in the Philippines. Philippine Sociological Review, 70(1),
1–15.
Human Rights Watch. (2021,
January 28). Philippines: Red-tagging endangers lives.
https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/01/28/philippines-red-tagging-endangers-lives
Teehankee, J. (2016). Electoral
Politics in the Philippines: Patronage and Clientelism in a Weak Party System.
Journal of Southeast Asian Studies, 47(1), 19–39.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022463416000032
