Wazzup Pilipinas!?
As the Philippines gears up for the much-anticipated 2025 elections, one of the most pressing concerns is the rising cost of campaigning and its implications for governance, public services, and the broader political system. The staggering amounts being spent on television, radio, print, and billboard advertisements have prompted widespread concern over the influence of money in Philippine politics. With candidates already spending millions, even before the official filing of candidacies in October 2024, the stakes have never been higher.
Unprecedented Campaign Spending: A Sign of the Times?
According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), from January to September 2024, nearly 100 candidates across various positions have already spent an eye-watering ₱3.7 billion on television advertisements and ₱342 million on radio spots. Television remains the dominant medium for political advertising, accounting for roughly 90% of traditional media expenditures, with radio, billboards, and print making up the remaining 10%. Among the most prominent spenders are Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar and Senator Imee Marcos, each spending close to ₱1 billion on ads during this period alone.
This unprecedented spending has raised alarms over the increasingly commercial nature of Philippine elections. Are candidates focusing more on media strategies than the needs of their constituents? And how does this massive spending influence the outcome of elections, especially when only a small portion of the population can afford to compete on such a scale?
The explosion in ad spending isn’t just about dollars and pesos—it's also about influence. Candidates are often relying on highly sophisticated media strategies to dominate the airwaves, targeting key demographics with tailored messaging. But the question remains: How will this affect voters' choices, especially those from marginalized sectors who have limited access to such expensive media platforms?
Legal Gaps and the Gig Economy: A Growing Concern
While much attention is being placed on election spending, there is another growing issue that impacts millions of Filipinos—the legal gap surrounding the rights of gig workers in the country. The rapid rise of app-based platforms has created a workforce that often operates without job security, benefits, or adequate labor rights protections.
A study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) sheds light on this issue, highlighting that the current legal framework fails to address the unique needs of gig workers. This leaves them vulnerable to exploitation and financial instability, as they are not entitled to the same protections as traditional employees.
Gig workers, who contribute significantly to the economy, are calling for legal reforms that would offer them basic protections, including fair wages, health and safety measures, and social security benefits. A growing number of these workers are turning to the streets and courts to demand their rights, pushing for a system that acknowledges the realities of the gig economy and guarantees fair treatment for all workers.
The importance of these reforms is underscored by the fact that the gig economy continues to expand, with platforms like ride-hailing services, food delivery apps, and online freelance platforms becoming a vital part of the Filipino workforce. However, without proper legal frameworks, these workers remain at the mercy of the platforms they serve, with no recourse to protect their livelihoods or ensure their well-being.
Campaign Spending and Governance: The Growing Divide
The massive outlay on political advertisements is just one side of a much broader issue: how this spending impacts the Philippines' governance and the allocation of resources. The Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) has raised alarms over the potential long-term effects of campaign expenditures, warning that the election period's mandatory ban on new expenditures could strain the government's ability to carry out critical programs in 2025.
Some analysts argue that the excessive spending on campaigns could lead to inflation and divert resources away from essential public services, like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. As the government navigates a record ₱6.352 trillion national budget, the question is whether political candidates will prioritize the public good over their personal campaigns.
The tension between electoral expenditures and public welfare is particularly acute given that the Philippines is already facing significant challenges in terms of poverty, inequality, and inadequate public services. With the pressure to maintain and expand their political influence, some candidates may prioritize personal gain rather than addressing the systemic issues that continue to affect Filipino citizens.
The Need for Electoral Reforms
With the cost of campaigning continuing to rise, there is a growing consensus among various sectors that electoral reforms are urgently needed to address these issues. A more transparent, equitable, and fair electoral process would ensure that all candidates—regardless of their financial resources—have a level playing field when it comes to engaging with voters.
Former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Luie Guia has emphasized the need for stronger regulations on campaign spending, as well as stricter laws against premature campaigning. Guia and other reform advocates argue that stricter regulations on early advertisements and campaign donations are essential to ensure that elections are decided based on merit, ideas, and the will of the people, not the size of a candidate's advertising budget.
Reforms could include stricter limits on spending for television and radio ads, tighter controls on digital advertising, and transparency measures that require candidates to disclose the sources of their campaign funds. Moreover, stricter enforcement of existing campaign finance laws could help to reduce the influence of wealthy individuals and corporations in the electoral process.
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for Philippine Democracy?
As the 2025 elections approach, the Philippines faces a critical juncture. The rising cost of elections, the growing divide between the haves and have-nots, and the ongoing struggle for fair labor practices in the gig economy all point to a need for urgent reforms. For the electoral process to truly serve the Filipino people, it must evolve to address these pressing concerns.
If the government and civil society can work together to ensure a more transparent, equitable, and inclusive election system, the Philippines may have a chance to overcome the entrenched problems of money politics and unequal access to opportunity. However, this will require the collective will to push for lasting change—one that ensures that future elections are not only fair but also reflect the needs and aspirations of all Filipinos, regardless of their socio-economic standing.
As the campaign season heats up, the Filipino electorate must continue to demand accountability and integrity from its candidates, ensuring that the true spirit of democracy remains alive in the nation’s most important political event. Only time will tell whether the Philippines can rise above the influence of money and reassert its commitment to democratic ideals and governance for the people.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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