Familism and its Effects on Local Politics: A Case Study in the Municipality of Victoria, Province of Laguna

Abstract

The Municipality of Victoria is situated about ninety kilometers South of Manila. It is composed of nine barangays. The townsfolk of Victoria are almost all related. It is noteworthy that most of the people have the same family name. Having Rebong, Herradura. Larano, Oca. Sancon, and Kampitan as the most numbered family in the town. Objectives: (1) to study whether the family is part of our value system and the effects of these; (2) to discuss the characteristics and manifestations of familism; (3) to analyze the voting behavior of the residents of Victoria; (4) to look for factors that encourage officials to pursue their political candidacy; (5) to assess the projects and programs implemented by local politicians; and (6) to make recommendations on how to minimize the practice of familism in the politics of Victoria, Laguna. Methodology: Qualitative data were obtained through key informant interview and in- depth interviews. All local government officials in Victoria served as my in-depth interviewees, while a representative of the local constituency served as my key informant. Quantitative data were obtained through a structured survey questionnaire among fifty randomly selected representatives from barangays San Roque and Nanhaya Victoria, Laguna. Conclusion: The practice of familism affects and reflects the political participation of both local politicians and local constituents. The role played by familism in the factors that encouraged local politicians to pursue candidacy, in the voting behavior of the constituents, and in the program and project implementation by local politicians is evident in the political setting of Victoria. The practice of familism in the politics of Victoria could be attributed to the existing Filipino culture of strong sense of familial loyalty and obligation, and the cultural attitudes of "hiya", "utang-na-loob", and "pakikisama". The prevalence of familism in local politics would eventual result to a voting behavior not based on principles, inefficient decision making process, passive constituents, participation and the creation of political dynasties. Recommendation: Political socialization has an active role in order to diminish the extreme practice of familism in local politics. It is important that both politicians and constituents must be educated regarding this political value. The practice of placing high value to the family should not be carried to an extreme and should not be operationalized in the politics. Also, both parties must acquaint their minds that they belong to a bigger family that is the nation. With this conscious effort, familial loyalty and obligation would be viewed within a framework of loyalty and obligation to the state.