From womb to tomb: determining the clientele-machine relationship of representative Amado Bagatsing’s Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran (KABAKA) organization and its services to its members/beneficiaries.

Abstract

The paper seeks to determine if a clientelistic and machine relationship is fostered between Manila‘s 5th District Rep. Amado Bagatsing and his constituents, through the representative‘s own founded organization, the Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlaran Foundation (KABAKA), Inc. Guided by Basile‘s Marxist-Institutioalist dialogue, supported by the political exchange space and portfolio of electoral investment theories, along with Gramsci‘s practical ideology, the paper utilized a a triangulation of qualitative and quantitative tools to assess such relationship. Criteria for determining the clientelist picture is based on Muno‘s five basic characteristics of clientelism: dyadic, asymmetrical, personal and enduring, reciprocal, and voluntary. The results of the study fulfilled Muno‘s criteria: there is a virtual structure in the relationship as manifested by the clientele of the local barangay chapters of the organization, the representative utilizing his incumbent resources to solidify his organization and thus were translated to votes, respondents establishing a general positive perception to the organization and the representative itself while believing that they are empowered, and respondents believing that they have the voluntary obligation to give back what the representative provides for them.