Alvarez, Marjorie

Coquia, Raisa

Ramones, Geraline Mae

GOVPHIL A51

Activity 1: Narrative about Patriarchal Politics

Patriarchal Politics- how you ever heard or read the existence of such concept?

Primarily, one can immediately understand it since patriarchal politics is composed of two words

namely: patriarchy and politics. There are various definitions for the root words but let us just

give basic definitions. Patriarchy is usually defined as the male being the head or main figure in

any organization or society, whereas politics is known as to who gets what, when and how as

popularized by Harold Lasswell. One may infer that these two concepts are apart and cannot be

integrated, but contrary to it, the notion of patriarchal politics is present. Broadly speaking,

patriarchal politics mostly talks about having majority of the politicians whether elected or

appointed are male or men, also, much of the representation, power and authority are massively

given to masculine figures. This concept of patriarchal politics have grown and evolved through

time in various countries and societies. Patriarchal politics is more likely the political sphere for

the male.

The Philippines is a concrete example of patriarchal politics. Historically, from the time of

Emilio Aguinaldo up to President Noynoy Aquino, there were only two female presidents;

namely Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. And in relation to this, based from what

we know, if we are not mistaken, it was only Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was the female vice-

president. Fortunately, with regards to senators and lower political positions, there are handful

of women. The history already tells us that women’s political participation in the Philippines is

not as vague as men’s participation. Filipinos, indeed, have this mentality that the men should

be the sole head of the state. Ironically, we have this thought that women, with regards to

population, are more than men, so how come that there is no girl power in the Philippines? May

be, it is cultured into us that men are always superior to women. But, from then until now,

having various types of presidents, the Philippines have not progressed so much, actually, one

can say that the Philippines is moving backwards. There is no quite difference on how male and

female politicians control the country. A noticeable dissimilarity is that a male president tends to

be more of an authoritarian or a dictator, while a female president tends to do things that will

allow her countrymen and women to cherish her. Aside from the politicians, majority of the

representatives from the civil society (NGOs and POs) are male since they are more active in

pursuing programs that they want the government to do. There is a good conducive

environment for the civil society in the country because over the decades, the government is

trying its best to adhere and solve the issues and concerns being raised by the civil society.

Patriarchal politics will always perpetuate specially in patriarchal societies. It will be

difficult to eradicate patriarchal politics because in most cultures it is already instilled that men

are above women and people do not even perceive that there is the existence of patriarchal

politics. Despite all of these, people should remember that men and women should be treated

fairly and justly specifically in the political sphere. Women are not vulnerable as what men can

see; women have values of forbearance, ability to sacrifice and steadfastness. There should be

legal and political equality for both men and women. It is time to alter our mindsets because

politics is not about the gender of the leaders but the ability and capacity he or she has to take

over and bring the country towards success- politics is beyond gender.