The Art of Politics

Politics as an art may sound different and diverse to what politics deem to show itself. Politics is often seen as a scientific, strong and logical field of study compare to arts that dwell in aesthetic, preferences and impact. However, Politics is considered as an art as it involves series of nominations and elections that dwells in art of persuasion and appeal to emotion. Even a candidate has an above average educational attainment, high order of knowledgeable leadership, sense of nationality and country patriotism, if he has no knowledge how to optimize the art function of politics, his/her chance of winning is low. On the other hand, politics as art is somehow defined by several activities and techniques that are being used to lure the public into voting them. Art of politics can be shown in communication, jingles, candidacy strategies such as appealing to a certain group of people (e.g. senior citizens), appealing to pity, pleasing audience by cracking jokes, singing, and dancing. It involves the manipulation of available tangible and non-tangible materials against their opponents and in favor of them. Politics arts is a very twisted realm that politicians have to play in order to win favor. It relates to different kinds of techniques, strategies, and stances.

Poor Governance Drawback

According to Rahman et. Al (2014), poor governance refers to the inability of the government to handle proper dissemination of resources while taking care of the citizens’ welfare. There are several drawbacks that is laid down and I would like to discuss one. As a student who lives and experience a life in a depressed area that is indeed considered as the home of the majority of societal and national problems, I would like to focus in one rampant drawback that we are experiencing, it is the lack of personal security. This last May 17, 2021, around 10:30 PM in my area’s tricycle station, three civilians were shot to their heads and neck. They were found laying in their stomach, having their hands above their heads like a suspect being pressured down in the ground to be arrested. Two were confirmed as a drug pusher while one was a non-drug user that has a special mental condition; they were also been killed by masked group of men delivered by a van in the crime scene (the incident was considered as one of the victims of war on drugs killings). These incidences are not foreign to my home, there has been several killings that are existing since before I was born here. My parents learned to live with it however, the fright was never a thing to be used to. The lack of security does not only literally kill people, it is the deprivation of the quality of life that has the absence of fear of the night. Lack of personal security is the worst drawback of bad governance as the lack of justice, control, moderation, and humanity is draining all the good possibilities out of our reach as it is tainted with violence. Poor governance will never serve an orderly and not violent communities, in fact, it will foster such and unfortunately but reality, our home is not an isolated area that dwell with this drawback; therefore, many are being killed, deprived of their humanly rights just because of the government’s incompetence.

Principle of Separation and Check and Balances.

Separation of powers and principle of checks and balances might have a similar façade that aims for balance. However, these two are distinct in such ways. First, separation of powers refers to the three branches being superior in their own area of constitutionality while check and balances is defined as the system of overlapping of powers to avoid misuse of power. Separation of powers emphasizes that each government is independent; therefore, free from shackles and does not lay under or over one another. On the other hand, check and balances is somehow a contradiction as it states that these branches must be interconnected and have power over another to avoid over authority concentration. Separation of power’s sole purpose is to divide control and authority over a certain matter while check and balances means to regulate one another’s actions and to make sure it is aligned to the nation’s principle and constitution. Clearly, these principles, although distinct, work together to create harmony and order to our government units.

Inherent powers of states

It has been said that every sovereign country has an inherited power that makes the government function. These are;

Police Power - not to be taken literally, police power refers to the absolute power of government to take control of liberty by regulating, and enact laws for it. Police power is serving the purpose of protecting the citizens against violence, unlawful acts, and to impose social order and humanely activities by the imposition of the congress, president of the republic, administrative bodies and LGUs and it considers citizen welfare as the highest law. It is to solely regulate conduct of each individuals in terms of environmental and social actions by creating laws or ordinance to be enforced.

Power of Eminent Domain – refers to the authority of the government that allows them to take private properties for public use in exchange for proper monetary compensation. It is also called expropriation and is exercised by the congress, president, LGUs and public corporations. There are several requirements to allow such power to be valid but the most important things are that it must be for the public use, and there must be a proper compensation for the previous owner.

Power of Taxation – it is the authority to impose tax or charges in individual coming from the employment fees, product, or services. Taxation is the most important component of economic growth as it supports overall government eligibility to exercise functions such as supporting public services and welfare. However, such power must be reasonable by the amount of tax and must be regulated fairly and dependent on individual’s capacity.

Warrantless arrest and Search

Search warrant, from the word itself, refers to a written document that allows an officer to seize and search from a property or person suspected for an offense. On the other hand, warrant of arrest is also a written document but it is for the purpose of authorizing an official to arrest a suspected criminal with the reason of its arrests and nature. Search and Arrest warrants are both a primary requirement and is a civil right that has to be observed to protect the rights of the defendant. Arrest can be exercised without warrant only in certain circumstances such as in flagrante delicto or being caught acted, on act or going to act, under hot pursuit or the crime has just been done, and if the person has escaped penal establishments. On the other hand, warrantless search can only be done if an officer believes an individual is suspicious or the stop and frisk rule and if a suspicious object is laying in plain view without further search. Warrantless arrest and search dwells in offense that needs immediate actions however, these instances must not be abused and go beyond the civil rights of an individual.

Miranda Rights

Miranda Rights or Miranda warning is the primary requirement along with a warrant of arrest presented in a suspected criminal upon the time of his arrest. It involves the reminder of his rights against self-incrimination, eligibility to have a lawyer in case he/she can not afford one, and to be asked if there is are clarifications that are confusing the subject. Miranda rights is solely to honor the right of the accused to be informed of his offense and its nature. Miranda rights go with a non-verbatim statement, “You have the right to be silent. Anything that you will say can be used against you. You have the right to have a lawyer if ever you cannot afford one.” It also includes an end statement asking if it was clear and if there are clarifications. Miranda rights is the a very significant component of procedural due process as it informs and honor the right of the defendant. It might be just dwelling with words or warning but it has the same significance as the principle of presumption of innocence.

Philippine naturalization

Before stepping in to complete procedures of naturalization, there are several qualifications first that must a person have such as; at least at the age of 21, resided in the Philippines for at least 10 years, a good moral character, owner of a real estate worth at least 5, 000.00 Php, and speak english, Spanish or any principal Philippine language. Regarding with the process, first must be a filing of a declaration of intention one year to the filing of OSG. However, declaration of intention includes some exceptions and does not include every applicant. Next is the affidavit of at least two witnesses specifically Philippine citizens. Next, the publication of the petition in the official gazette, he/she must be an actual resident if the country during the proceedings, 6 months hearing of the petition. It will be proceeded with promulgation of the decision, hearing after 2 years of probation, and lastly, oath taking. Naturalization is indeed a very long process that entails an obligation to be committed during your proceedings. However, it is what the constitution states and must be respected and obeyed. That is why a sudden out of immediate need naturalization is an insult to our constitution and citizens.

Functions of Political Party

The most and foremost important function of a political party, for me, is as a representation. Political party as a representation means that it the party serves a purpose of being a vehicle to connect the interests of the people forward to be voiced out. They are literally representing distinct interests of the mass by gathering individuals that shares the same principle and deliver the same interests towards a future government for it to be attended. An example would be GABRIELA party-list that includes women rights as its priority and represent women’s struggles, empowerment, needs and interests. Some party-dwells with prominent ideologies and represent each ideal to the mass to persuade such ideas to improve the nation. As the topic itself suggests, it is to represent, to be a voice and to stand for it in order to attend to such needs if ever given the position. This is why political parties have gotten a very significant role in a democratic country as it paves way for the minority to at least claim their stands.