Duterte's Leadership vs Democratic Pluralism

Dec 7, 2024

Duterte is Singular, Democracy Plural

Key Themes

  • Examination of how President Duterte's leadership style reflects a singular approach compared to the pluralistic nature required in democracy.
  • The contrast between local "padrino" politics and national pluralist politics.
  • The challenges of implementing democratic pluralism under Duterte's administration.

Background

  • Author: Bryan Dennis Gabito Tiojanco
  • Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 3, 2018

Main Points

Leadership Style

  • Duterte behaves as a "boss-mayor," an extension of his role as Davao City mayor.
  • Governance compared to local "padrino" politics, which emphasizes patronage and factionalism.

Padrino Politics

  • Characteristics:
    • Patronage-based, with factions taking turns in power.
    • Divides population into in-group (e.g., "Dutertards") and out-group ("Dilawans").
  • Catchphrases: "Tatay Digong" (obedience to Duterte as a father figure) and "weather-weather lang" (cyclic nature of power shifts).
  • Historical backdrop: Grew post-WWII but was reborn post-Edsa Revolution.

Pluralist Politics

  • Needs coalitions, compromises, and cooperative policymaking.
  • Works by integrating various groups, electoral winners and losers.

Concerns with Duterte's Presidency

  • Duterte’s approach sidelining constitutional pluralism.
  • Attacks on Chief Justice, Ombudsman, opposition senators, and press.
  • Push towards national padrino politics, reminiscent of Marcos era.
  • Unchecked power as dangerous on a national level.

Democratic Principles

  • Democracy is not just rule by a present majority but various majorities over time.
  • Constitutional democracy requires pluralist governance, respecting institutional prerogatives of past victors.
  • Duterte's governance seen as a move to dismantle these safeguards.

Conclusion

  • Current administration needs to respect constitutional frameworks.
  • Critique of the notion of supporting Duterte's mandate without demanding adherence to democratic pluralism.

Author's Credentials

  • Bryan Dennis Gabito Tiojanco holds a JSD from Yale Law School and will be a postdoctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore.