A STUDY commissioned by Participate PH revealed that most Filipinos are unfamiliar with the nature of political parties but see their value in terms of public service delivery and representation that could convince them to join them anyway.

Participate PH is a non-partisan, pro-democracy coalition that aims to engage and empower the political participation of Filipinos by providing opportunities for citizen engagement and empowerment.

SUMMIT Officials of political parties and the Commission on Elections gather on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at the Manila Hotel to discuss various issues. From left are Efraim Bag-id, director of the Political Finance and Affairs Department of the Comelec; Vincent Noel Aureus, executive director of Partido Reporma; Jorge Azuelo, deputy secretary-general of Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas; Erin Tañada, executive vice president of Liberal Party; Emmi de Jesus, national chairman of Gabriela Women's Party; Leon Flores 3rd, secretary-general of Aksyon Demokratiko; Rafaela David, president of Akbayan Party; and former senator Antonio Trillanes 4th, national chairman of Magdalo Party-list. PHOTO BY MIKE ALQUINTO

The coalition is led by the Ateneo School of Government, La Salle School of Governance, National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services Inc. (Ideals Inc.), and Caucus for the Development of Non-government Organization Networks (Code-NGO).

The results of a survey conducted by WR Numero Research during the Multiparty Summit held Wednesday at the Manila Hotel showed that 68 percent of those surveyed said they were unfamiliar with political parties, while 32 said they were familiar with them.

Per region, the National Capital Region is the only region in the country where more Filipinos have expressed familiarity with political parties (52 percent), though unfamiliarity remains high at 48 percent.

Among the top parties mentioned by the respondents were the Liberal Party (LP), the "Uniteam" administration coalition, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), ACT-CIS Partylist, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, Nacionalista Party, Anakbayan Party and Tingog Partylist.

Those unfamiliar with political parties said they trusted the LP and the PDP-Laban, but not all parties were trusted.

While almost all Filipinos were not members of political parties, 20 percent said they were interested in being a member. This meant Filipinos still vote based on their conscience, said Participate PH Chief of Party and De La Salle University School of Governance professor Dr. Julio Teehankee.

"There is still hope if we can only expand that number of Filipinos who can vote not based on their money, but really based on their appreciation of the qualification and the platforms offered to them by the parties and their candidates," Teehankee said in an interview with The Manila Times.

The survey also revealed that Filipinos may be encouraged to join political parties if they carry out projects and provide assistance if they represent beliefs aligned with theirs and have links to respected leaders.

Teehankee said there is a need to re-institutionalize political parties and that competition should be introduced among political parties, especially among political dynasties.

"There is nothing wrong with families being part of politics as long as they play the game within the boundaries of real political parties," Teehankee said.

Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the Multiparty Summit is important as Filipinos need an outlet to express their sentiments politically.

He also said that political parties are important if their platforms are based on their own ideologies and not just about motherhood statements.

"Political parties need to follow the needs of our countrymen," Garcia said in Filipino.