Title: Political Parties And Elections
Course: Philippines Political Structure > Section: Module 7: Political Parties And Elections

Political Parties and Elections

The political landscape of the Philippines is characterized by a multiparty system, which includes a wide spectrum of ideologies ranging from Christian rights to centrist views[13]. The official name of the country is the Republic of the Philippines[17]. Among the major political parties are the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (Federal Party of the Philippines) and Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats (People Power–Christian Muslim Democrats)[18]. As of June 2024, the list of eligible political parties continues to expand, reflecting the diverse political affiliations within the country[17]. Elections in the Philippines are conducted using a majority block voting system for the Senate, where all senators are elected at-large from the entire nation[19]. This means each registered voter casts a direct vote, and the candidates with the highest number of votes win the election[20]. The president, vice-president, and senators serve a six-year term[21]. Discussions on electoral reforms have been ongoing, with proposals to return to a two-party system or to impose limits on the current multiparty setup. One of the key reforms being considered is a ban on turncoatism, which has been a challenge in maintaining party loyalty and stability[22]. These reforms are part of the broader political transition in the Philippines, which aims to address various challenges, including potential threats such as military coups[16].