Manila: President Benigno Aquino III urged Filipinos to put an end to patronage politics saying such personal favours-based leadership is the reason why corrupt politicians are being elected to office.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremonies of members of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) on Thursday, Aquino said the common practice of Filipinos asking for favours from politicians is the reason why patronage politics persists in Philippine society.
“There is a Filipino joke that says every time a politician campaigns to get elected, a tried and tested formula is to attend the KBL of constituents,” he said as he referred to Kasal, Binyag at Libing or Wedding, Baptism and Funeral.
ULAP is a group comprised of incumbent governors, mayors and councillors.
In local culture, it is often that politicians in largely Christian Philippines try to improve on their political capital by accepting an offer or volunteering to be a Godparent in the baptism or wedding of to a constituent who has a number or relatives and potential voters in the local community.
According to Aquino, while such gestures are appreciated by the people, it conveys a wrong impression to the people about being of service to the public and the electorate.
“The truth, is being a former local politician myself, I found it difficult to shun offers to become a godparent or not to go to funerals because I try not to offend anyone,” Aquino, who had served as a congressional representative of Tarlac and a senator before becoming president, admitted.
During funerals, politicians often make it a point to be visible to provide and impression of being approachable and compassionate. Such show of sympathy has its monetary contribution equivalent in the form of “donations.”
Aquino also added that at the same time, such shows of goodwill result in over-dependence by the people on local politicians. In some occasions, constituents would ask from their local officials personal favours or cash contributions.
He said such custom of asking favours or monetary assistance from politicians is the reason certain officials have made it a part of governance regime to set aside money for such contingencies.
“And where would local officials take this money from?,” he asked while pointing out that often government executives would take the money they would give as contribution to constituents by engaging in corrupt activities.
During his speech, Aquino likewise urged local authorities to exercise prudence in determining and approving projects in the local level.
He pointed out during his term as Congressman, he received proposals on matters having little to do with governance such as establishing a monument, improving the village hall etc.
“My suggestion to them was instead of identifying projects that are largely cosmetic, why not endeavour to improve the irrigation system, build more roads or put up a school,” he said.
According to political experts, the kind of political relations that had taken root and thrived in the Philippines are largely based on destructive patronage politics and could take time to uproot and dispense with.
This same kind of patronage politics was responsible for outbreaks of violence during elections and such practices as vote buying in the polls.
For a long time, the Philippine political landscape had been dominated by the so-called 4Gs or guns, goons and gold.
