In time for the EDSA People Power Anniversary and the upcoming 2025 Midterm Elections, legal experts, civil society leaders, and youth advocates discussed how corruption in the government and patronage politics are the most prominent factors that hinder good governance, emphasizing the Filipino youth’s role in reshaping the country’s political landscape.

Development worker and political reform advocate Maria Victoria Maglana stressed that governance is a collective responsibility, contradicting the Philippine Traditional Politics or TraPo norms—centering the power to elected leaders instead of promoting a participatory government.

“Governance is not just for those in power—it is ours. We govern our families, our communities, and our institutions. Good governance is about making decisions that truly serve the people,” Maglana said.

Expert Consultant from the School of Business and Governance, Dr. Harold Pareja echoed the same sentiments, emphasizing the need for contribution from various sectors in managing administrative decisions.

“We live in a pluralist society, and good governance means ensuring that all voices, including the marginalized, are heard in decision-making.”

Former UN Undersecretary General and former Commission on Audit (COA) Commissioner Heidi Mendoza underscored the people’s active participation in addressing systemic corruption, emphasizing that apathy enables malpractice.

“Corruption thrives because we allow it. The best defense against corruption is an informed and engaged citizenry that refuses to be silent.”

In Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the Philippines ranked 114th out of 180 countries according to the levels of public-sector corruption.

Labor leader and lawyer Atty. Luke Espiritu linked corruption to political dynasties, arguing that these families monopolize political and economic power, disrupting the country’s democracy.

“In this country, both the political and economic elite are one and the same, and they are the political dynasties…‘Pag may political dynasty sa area mo, hindi lang ‘yan sila mayor, vice mayor, congressman, konsehal, governor – sila rin ay mga may kontrol sa lupa, negosyo, and both legal and illegal; and of course, control nila ang kaban ng bayan, which they treat as their own private funds and because of that monopoly of control, kontrolado rin nila mismo ang mga buhay ng mga inaalipin nila.”

Maglana further discussed how political dynasties and patronage politics coexist in the systemic oppression of the governed people.

“Ang problema sa patronage sa politika is really the resource flow kasi this is where your politicians use material resources, maybe from the state, to achieve their political ends.”

Maglana also distinguished the term clientelism from the padrino system, explaining that although they are used interchangeably, they are entirely different terms.

“‘Yung clientelism ay personal relationships of power… oo binigyan ka ng access sa serbisyo, pero pagkatapos no’n feeling mo tuloy may utang na loob ka doon sa taong ‘yon…Tayo ngayon feeling natin beholden tayo sa kanila. We are loyal to them, we have to vote for them; We even have to defend them in whatever means possible tungod kay mahadlok ta na without that walay serbisyo na makaabot sa atoa.”

Role of young voters in the elections

Davao youth leader Rose Quimod highlighted the pivotal role of young voters in the 2025 elections, stressing the power of social media in voter education.

“I believe the youth dapat magsugod pud ta proper engagement and katong giingon pud na ko na voters’ education kay dili tanan naay kaalam anang mga patronage politics, personality politics.”

“Importante ang voters’ education and the use of social media, forums, and grassroots discussions as well,” Quimod added.

Quimod also encouraged the youth to participate in actual campaigns by joining organized movements, saying that it is time to bring back the power to the youth.

“So, we will form an organization group for the youth then hopefully mag-join mo guys to volunteer, to campaign for our bagong politika. I-bring back nato ang power sa mga kabataan, sa atoa. To bring back the power to the people.”

The forum, titled “Talakayan Tungkol sa Bagong Politika: Bayang Malinis, Bayang Matatag,”, was organized by the Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy Center (APILA) and the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC).

The event was held on February 13, 2025 at Bapa Benny Tudtud Auditorium, Ateneo de Davao University.#