Can We Still Stop the Killings and Cheating in the Upcoming Philippine Elections?

Today’s episode of The Agenda at Club Filipino addresses the alarming rise of political violence and election fraud in the Philippines. With recent fatalities including a former Kalibo mayor, re-electionist politicians, and even journalists, the need for action is more urgent than ever. Widespread vote-buying and celebrity politics continue to plague our democracy. This post explores the root causes, systemic failures, and possible solutions for our broken electoral system.

Political Violence and the Culture of Death in Philippine Elections

1. Disturbing Level of Fatalities

The Philippines ranks among the world’s most dangerous countries for politicians. According to the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, nearly 70 politicians are killed each year, with 999 attempted killings recorded between 2006 and 2021—945 of which were fatal. These incidents rival the violence seen in South Africa, Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil.

2. Killers Remain at Large

Despite the gravity of these crimes, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have only arrested 5% of known gun-for-hire suspects since 2011. Most remain free, including 80 suspects from the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre, perpetuating a cycle of impunity and fear.

Vote-Buying and the Commodification of Democracy

3. Rampant and Accepted Vote-Buying

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and PNP have failed to clamp down on the normalized culture of vote-buying, which continues to skew election outcomes. Candidates, especially from political dynasties, routinely buy votes with cash, goods, or services—undermining fair democratic processes.

Cultural and Parental Roles in Political Behavior

4. Parents Must Act Against Youth Corruption

Many barangays suffer from systemic corruption. Youth participants in local governance (e.g., the Sangguniang Kabataan) are exposed to wrongdoing early. Parents must now take responsibility by nurturing family values and promoting integrity at home.

5. Urgent Political Reforms Needed

As reported by the Philippine Election 2022 International Observer Mission, the elections were marred by:

• Widespread electronic voting system failures

• Red-tagging of opposition candidates

• Increased political violence and blatant fraud

Key reforms include:

• Abolishing political dynasties

• Reforming the party-list system to represent marginalized sectors genuinely