Coconutrama - The Tree Of Life

Coconut tree is grown throughout the tropical world and it happens to be the Philippines is the second leading leader in coconut production behind India. Nearly all parts of the coconut tree has all uses, either for culinary or non-culinary purposes. In the Philippines, the coconut is commonly knows as the Tree of Life. In theory it gives you the basic needs for survival purposes. I will attempt to explain some nearly facts between the culinary and non-culinary purpose of this tree of life.

Culinary

A much older or mature fruit of coconut can be made into sweet macapuno which is popular as a Philippine deserts.

It can also be used as a hard gelatin known as the nata de coco which is one of the main ingredients to Halo-halo, Philippines best known milk shake mixed with different fruits and crushed iced.

Another Philippine desert known as the bukayo which is a grated coconut meat that is cooked and mixed with sugar.

Coconut milk or cream is used for cooking and is extracted from grated coconut meat with hot water.

Coconut juice good for serving refreshments.

The coconut meat is also used for additional ingredients for fruit salad or can be made alone as buko salad and is popular desert on Christmas seasons.

Coconut milk or the cream can be used for candies.

Non-culinary

The mature dried coconut shells of the fruit can be into charcoal.

Dried cleaned coconut shells is also used as a food plates or water cups.

The leaves provides materials for basket and, nipa hut roof tops and walls.

Coconut leaves is used for making makeshift balls which does not bounce when force against the floor but is used for games such as sipa. Sipa is game of foot skills that is tossed and kicked using the foot, like a soccer game but no goal net.

Coconut oil is used in many ways as alternative traditional medicine and in cosmetic products. It is popular oil being used by hilots - practitioners of traditional ancient type of massage.

Dried half shell with husks are used to polish the floors known as the bunot.

The husks are used as an alternative cleaning sponge for the blackened bottom of the utensils. While those dried husks are excellent alternative for wood fire that is used for cooking.

The palm wood provides alternative wood materials and an increasingly ecological alternatives for endangered hardwoods. Several known applications for furniture and the house notably the Manila's Coconut Palace.

Among other things that benefits to the economy is the discovery of coco-diesel petroleum product. Similar to the Ethanol alternative fuel.

The Correct Independence Day

On June 12, 1898 General Emilio Aguinaldo who later on becomes the first Philippine and youngest president declared and proclaims the sovereignty and independence of the Philippine from Spain. The declaration however fail short to be recognized by other countries nonetheless it prompted for self-rule in the country and thus pave the way for the First Republic to be born. With the First Republic, Philippine Government with a Congress was established, Philippine Flag was officially declared, and the first Philippine Constitution was crafted and written, also the first constitution in Asia

The Independence was short-lived when the Philippine-American War started until the fall of First Philippine Republic to the American occupation, which effectively dissolved the First Republic. This war is of larger proportion than the Spanish-American War which resulted in more American casualties as a result of Philippine struggle for Independence and Patriotic stance. The Philippine First Republic military under the command of President Emilio Aguinaldo was of no match to the vast machinery of the U.S. military might. Nonetheless the Filipinos fought valiantly and bravely in their desire to bring Independence to their homeland.

The U.S. colonization of the Philippines, thus, denied the Filipinos the opportunity for self-rule and self-determination, and violates their own concept of Declaration of Independence, as evidence on the first sentence of the second paragraph that says:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Upon the end of the Philippine-American war, the U.S. formally abolished the First Republic and imposed its rule to the Philippines. English was made the official language, public works was introduced, and sedition acts and politicalimprisonment did silenced critics. The U.S. allowed the Filipinos partial self-rule in the form commonwealth type of government until the Philippines was granted full independence on July 4, 1946 a year after the Second World War formally ended.

Upon the end of the Philippine-American war, the U.S. formally abolished the First Republic and imposed its rule to the Philippines. English was made the official language, public works was introduced, and sedition acts and political imprisonment did silenced critics. The U.S. allowed the Filipinos partial self-rule in the form commonwealth type of government until the Philippines was granted full independence on July 4, 1946 a year after the Second World War formally ended.

From then on July 4 of every year was the officially recognized Independence Day in the Philippine Calendars until President Diosdado Macapagal signed the Republic Act No. 4166 statutorily prescribing June 12 as Philippine Independence Day, effectively moving back the official Independence Day to the First Independence declared on June 12, the correct and rightful date that President Emilio Aguinaldo declared the country's independence. President Diosdado Macapagal has rendered the Philippines of great service by having put the right historical facts on track and by bringing the glory and pride back for the Philippine Republic.

June 12, was the date that the Filipinos announced to the whole world that this country is a free and independent nation. This is the date not just an observance or celebration but a day that this nation is born into freedom, asserts its natural rights to liberty, and is ready to defend again with life and honor when necessary.

Lost in Civilization

Too often, Sulu province a remote island in southern part of the Philippines is always thought of only as a subject of humanitarian concern or a region of conflict. Where all lawless and rebellion element took place simultaneously. Being a safe haven for terrorist as well as rebels in their own making. But the region has seen slowly successful transition to peaceful area with civilians irrespective of affiliation and religion are working together to define a broader scope to maintain peace, security, and stability. It will take continued work to achieve long term solutions to the conflict prone region and this is a dramatic breakthrough for the interest of the country.

The national government, local government units, non-profit organizations, and other foreign governments has been an active key partner in resolving conflicts in the region. With most effort committing to humanitarian concerns as well as supporting development of economic programs. Although conflicts elsewhere inside the Sulu region remains tragically unresolved, it is worth noting that key players are taking a continued active role in the peace and development progress in consideration of the context of what has been attained.

Though a comprehensive peace plan and agreement is in the works that will likely bring a much needed peace. On the many fronts more smaller armed groups will likely rise to the occasion which is in opposition to the plan. Thus creating a splintered and breakaway group. This saw the rise of the MILF which was formed as a breakaway faction from MNLF. The most notorious to rise was the Abu Sayaff the most radical group and considered terrorist organization and other smaller factions that are former members of the MILF and MNLF which has no clear political agenda.

The national government ability to confront smaller armed group is limited to the extent that it does not want lost of lives and resources. It is clear that an enhance peaceful political solution is much needed. Without political bargain peace and prosperity cannot be sustained.

Sulu is confronted by both economic and armed struggle issues being an island far from mainland Mindanao which is the third archipelago states in the Philippines others are Luzon and Visayas. For the local government units in Sulu promoting economic development must remain a top priority. The real question is how to promote.It is often wondered if armed struggle is an absolute right that could bring effective solution of their own but clearly it was a mere front to attract attention. The province is within the jurisdiction of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao and is effectively governed by the national government. With the recent abduction of ABS-CBN news veteran journalist Ces Drillon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama have been kidnapped for ransom on their way for their assignments -- It is disappointed to see prosperity in the region is hampered by kidnapping activities of lawless elements groups that resorted to violence to funds their continued arm struggle. Not long ago a similar incidents occurs where a number of journalist foreign and locals, tourists from an island resort in neighboring Malaysia, foreign and local humanitarians had been abducted in exchange for ransom with the Abu Sayyaf bandit group claiming responsibility.

The rise of lawless elements cause grave concerns for the future of Sulu. Perhaps to an even greater degree the increase in conflict and violence defines what future does Sulu holds. This could pull the province to slide into deepening violence and put it into martial law zone. For the residents of Sulu province in their districts that embraces life under the crossfire they have high expectations of the benefits of peace and prosperity that has been long denied to them.

The lawless armed groups that has been waging war against the national government offers political views that very few people of the province embrace. They exploit the weakness of the local and national government, often using violence against civilians and revenues they collected from illegal and/or criminal activities to fund their operation and existence. These lost groups are perceived to be obstacles to the development in the region. If someone from the national government had said that mission has been accomplished that was far from reality. Rooting out terrorists in the province by bringing in more peacekeepers and hopefully winning support from the locals would drastically reduce the terrorists ability to control the province. Many assumed that eliminating the lawless armed groups commanders would totally eradicate the groups existence -- perhaps on to some degree. They are mostly employing guerrilla tactics regrouping when they have mission and blending into simple villagers when not in mission.

Kidnapping crisis in Sulu is far from over. To some, journalist are corrupt going into the terrorists safe house is not free either they choose to agree to pay access pass for them to grant interviews or pay ransoms when they are not allowed leave. Board and Lodging is often used in lieu of ransoms by the journalists. When it's not supposed to be the term it is ransom, no one would pay a huge amount when one is held against his/her.

ABS-CBN the employer of the journalist kidnap victim Ces Drillon, Jimmy Encarnacion, and Angelo Valderama are quick to call a news blackout sensing the sensitive information that might have jeopardize the lives of their workers. Which is understandable to ensure their safety, when if we are to recall for other previous kidnap victims appeal for news blackout it might not be the same.

Military armed confrontation alone cannot totally solve the issues in Sulu but is also necessary to prevail and enforce law in the land. A continued infrastructure development, livelihood project assisted, and peace monitoring foreign groups from trusted foreign government will ensure economic progress opportunity to dwell in the region.

Clash Of The Titans

There is so much growing conflicting bureaucracy of the Philippines three branches of the government. The Executive branch vis-à-vis Legislative branch in this case is the Senate. Disputes either resolved or unresolved by the Supreme Court and either in favor or unfavor for the Executive or Legislative branch would turn the two in struggle to control jurisdiction of their mandated powers to assert their viewpoints. An unending climax of setting these two titans against each other by most deplorable seeing that in most cases the loosing side becomes pique and vindictive while the wining side becomes loosely arrogant. An almost near constitutional crisis scenario likely to occur where those three branches of government unwilling to setting a tone for a compromise. In a case like this there is no winner and the republic is most likely to absorb the losing end.

As a classic governance dispute, the Neri petition to the Supreme Court obviously a question that turns the Executive and Legislative branch puts them in a gridlock. It is becoming more frustrating and difficult to comprehend for the people of the Republic the principle of equal bodies and matters of set forth by the constitution of their duly mandated authority. When the Supreme Court in a split decision handed down the decision by vote of 9-6 arguably the correctness is not the center of the subject but rather the finality of a ruling to put an end to the issues. In essence without an arbiter with the likes of the Supreme Court a prolong and unending ensuing charges and countercharges will create a much bigger political crisis.

Why does the Arroyo administration restrict cooperation with the Senate? When the fact that it is the same institution where the President has been with before becoming the head of the Republic. On matters of national security any secretive and or classified information is limited for dissemination but in the case of national interest though might involved external entities should become public information. In an endless debates and arguments when it should become a national security and national interest? Take the case of the cancelled National Broadband Network project which is a subject that is claimed to be a national security by the Executive branch while a national interest for in part as considered by the members of the Senate investigating the issues. Now this comes to a complete bureaucratic syndrome system where each has to engage in larger proportion to be able to get the information. If only if information is shared and or circulated between them even though only to a few these two branches would work collaboratively on the same goal for the good of the country. Going back to the question of the administration of President Arroyo restricting cooperation with Senate by not allowing members of cabinet to attend any legislative inquiries without the consent of the President. For of the many reasons it largely depends on the numbers of the elected members of the Senate who is either an ally or opposed. In the 14th Congress composition there are mostly Senators opposed with the administration of President Arroyo. It is most likely a partisan line and collaboration would be seen less. All the more reasons that the administration of President Arroyo and opposing members of the Senate does not have any trust in place when both have legitimate reasons. Most of those members of the Senate participating in the investigation chaired by Senate Blue Ribbon committee are to get the facts in the aid of legislation. When also these facts would be used against the President if proven that the President has first hand knowledge and/or behind the scenes participation in the anomaly. We may conclude that there will never be a good working atmosphere between the administration of President Arroyo and the present composition of the majority members of the Senate.

Malacanang's Conundrum

Needless to say the present actors in the arroyo administration is a hard-core "realists" that tighten it's grip on politics. They appears to abandoned that the goverment is designed and built for the people and not for their self-serving interest. They shape their self-serving personnal interest rather than the national interest of the country. The editors of the philippine daily inquirer is right to conclude that the political alliances or happy marriages of pro-administration political parties produced a buffet republic. Former president ramos, president arroyo, and speaker devenecia has a tremendous stake in their party on which they have founded and work hard to become country's current dominant party bloc. They would not allowed a breakup of their party.

Governor Ed Panlilio have admirably and courageously help start a much-needed model of good and honest governance in the goverment. No relationship or alliances, and no issues considered too hot to handle that needs a regular scruntiny in his dealings. Governor Panlilio may not be the best person to replace President Arroyo but he is more fit that any other personages aspiring to succeed her. The road to the 2010 malacanang will more likely be difficult for Governor Ed Panlilio to aspire but the prospect is bright. All this can be achieve with a good public display of his good governance.

As expected from the early start of the conviction of the deposed President Estrada of plunder would also pave the way for granting him an executive clemency by his successor. Thus rendering a pardon to the former President Joseph Estrada would not derail arroyo's hold onto the presidency. A pardon extended to Joseph Estrada would silent him on the matters of claiming the presidency and calls for Arroyo's resignation. The president's call that it is time to heal the wounds of the nations was more than healing but a more damaging reputation to it's efforts to curb corruption in the goverment. They claim the clarity and authority of rigorous logic, but their methods are loose and undeniable immoral. It takes them days before they could set the tone of reasons behind granting the pardon. The pardon would only set a bad precedent and provide some safe sanctuary to those who will future commit corruption in the goverment. Just recently president arroyo formed anti-kotong, and anti-Colorum” task force to go after corrupt cops and illegal vehicles owners this is an example of case they wish to make to display their sincere interest curbing corruption in the lower level. At the higher level it is a mixed of political interest in handling such complex realities of events because of political interest.

These faults and insesitivity too frequently display a convincing facts that this arroyo administration is not sincere in it's agenda. In her own backyard the president for sure is aware of what has transpired about the cash gifts intended to selective member of the house representatives and local goverment officials that was divulged by Governor Ed Panlilio. The cash gift are meant to garner support for the president if the reported assertion are true. Assuming the funds are coming from the president own party technically giving this cash to benefit their colleagues or partymates is noting of illegal. Morally it is wrong and unacceptable ignorance of the lapse of judgment. Considering the timing is not right and triggered an ugly outcome given the fact that another impeachment complaint is being filled in the house of representative. Which as of this writting the impeachment complaint file by lawyer Roel Pulido was rejected by the house of representative on justice committe on a technical grounds. thus in effect making president arroyo immunne for another year from filing of impeachment case.

It is also interesting to note that assuming the reported 120 million pesos budget coming from the presidents own party is correct for disbursement as cash gifts. one could argue that these personages behind this financial fund raisers posseses of great talents in finance. Why not these same personages uses their skills in pursing for the greater good of the country?
NEDA under the administration of arroyo is correct to say that the country posted a modest growth in the economy. The calculation is consistent if it will be applied with the standard formula rules for deriving the GDP. Yet around metro manila alone and not to mention on the other regions proverty can be seen in all levels. one might note that everything cost more these days. peso against dollar is rallying however to take a stronger note basic cost of commodities keeps rising. There are numerous regulation agencies either attached or not attached to the office the president but in awe these agencies have done litte impressive works to keep prices from rising and affordable to all. With a battery of advisers and aides for more that six years this arroyo administration has missed the greater opportunity to put the country in better shape for a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous nation.

The arroyo administration's resurging issues was the increasing and uncontrollable poverty, controversies surrounding it's governance, corruption, and instability in the country -- are well known.

The philippines needs a strong president who can revitalize the country's standing in the world, defeat and allieviate proverty that threatens each citizens pursuit of liberty and happines. we need more than vision to achieve a country where we wanted to be. The president we want should build a nation of security and opportunity. The next president should be steadfast belief to serve a greater cause than self-interest. Must also be prepared to accept their errors and shortcommings rather than resorting to false public relation and flip flopping. We were once a prosper nation and I believe we will be on the same track where we have been again.

This writtings was been written somewhere in December of 2007 but was only posted recently. As of this posting Representative Jose De Venencia Jr. was ousted as Speaker of the House overwhelming by the majority of the House members and was replaced by Representative Prospero Nograles as the new Speaker. This occurred at the height of National Broadband Network scandal when Representative De Venencia's son accussed the First Gentelmen Miguel Arroyo of involvement in the deal. An ongoing senate investigation took place which almost put the country at a near constitutional crisis that saw the executive and legislative branch clashes among a number of issues.

Era for Computerized Voting System

Commission on Elections is a constitutional body mandated with the responsibility of overseeing the election in the republic. The agency face a multitude of tough security challenges in addition to ensuring a reliable and the integrity of the election returns. There has been proponent for making election systematically process by means of electronic machines. But public's lack of support and confidence in computerization, and legislative efforts of continued scruntinizing sometimes of conflicting laws and regulations, social, and economic have somewhat lost the interests and make it difficult or even impossible in achieving a modern computerization of elections. Added to this are arrays of irregularity in the bidding process. Despite of this concerns there should other alternatives for iniatives.

To gurantee success in achieving a modernization of the election systems through computerization. There must be first an IT Policy Compliance. The agencies concerned with supporting the election process systems either in public or private entities must be mandated to comply with an array of laws and standards, that is to ensure safeguard of the electorate's vote, protect and secure also personnal information. While making the election results accessible to the public but also giving it enough protection against tampering. In addition to IT Policy Compliance a contigency to be able to quickly react to other unexpected disaster, thus there also must be a Disaster Recovery Solutions. Continuous backup and faster recovery contigency must be mandated to protect critical and sensitive data of the electorate's information. Electorate's Information Protection should also mandated to provide protection against unknown threats ranging from tampering election data.

Because the republic has experienced allegation of vote tampering in any elections from local to the national level. Increased declined of trust and confidence for a modern computerized election from the general public are expected, thus by far achieving a computerized election system may not be possible anytime soon. Significantly traditional manual voting system is more preferred by the electorate and they have more confidence in having votes cast on paper ballots rather than relying exclusively on electronic voting machines.

To gain the support from the electorate the agencies responsible for maintaining the elections needs to have a proactive role by means of some effective communication channel. Educating the electorate in sincere means by addressing the advantages and disadvantages of both the traditonal current manual voting system and proposed computerized voting systems. Other channels might include an open forums and discussions such as town hall rountable meetings.

Speculations of massive vote manipulation that the computerization of election process migth result into added adverse impact. The biggest challenges that the traditional manual voting process faced is the reforms to bring honest and credible election results.

Through experimentation process or pilot program it might achieved something worth than nothing at all.

• Conduct a pilot program that would start with the village election - barangay election; it can do much to remove common misconceptions; it might encountered serious problems. Nonetheless the computerized election system will serve as a grass-root training grounds leading to a modern automated and efective means of election system. Study the post election results focusing mostly on the participation, acceptance, and concerns of the electorates. A high approval rating would be a biggest considerable option that the same system can operate at the local - municipal/city elections and/or national level - congressional and presidential elections. They key of this pilot program is to provide an indepth study of the system effectiveness and efficiency.
  


• If the proposal for computerized election systems failed to gain the electorate's trust and confidence. By far an on-site computerized voter's registration identification system maybe best alternative without compromising the traditional manual vote counting process or vote tabulation system. This means that voter's registration system are accessible on-site at the voting center. Aside from validating the voter's registration IDs at the same time in real-time it can validate the voter's identity thru finger print recognition system or any other computerized effective means of physically present identifications. Thereby in the very least ensuring that the identity of the voter is valid. This will also eliminate the traditional manual cross-checking lists on-site which is prone to errors and delays. Also to note it will lighten the work load of the front desk voting precint officers considerably. Where practical, these same voting precints officers may find that computers can make aspects of registration more efficient. In reality they face mounting pressure not only from the electorate but from candidates also to secure and maintain an integrity of voters lists. These are just a some of the few factors that the electorate and legislature needs to consider. To sum it up the voter's registration process would only validate the physical appearance of the identity of the voter at the polling precints and/or centers but would not involve the computerization process of counting of votes which would still be in form of a traditional manual vote counting systems. The process would at least give an opportunity for modernizing the election systems and perhaps in the least prevent fraudalent identities which are commonly known as ghost voters; and duplicate registration or as flying voters.
  

It is important to recognize that computerization of the election system has greater advantages than disadvantages.

On Salute and Disobedience

There is general question in political debate are the acts of removing a president from power thru extra-constitutional measure is a basic natural rights? The constitution as we known is the first and foremost legal framework of the republic. It is the guiding principles aimed at protecting the civil liberty in pursuit of happiness.

Article II Section 3 of the Philippines constitution stated Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

But when will the civilian authority becomes supreme over the military?

Let us look back. A series of coup and rebellion that was staged by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has unfurled in the country. But there was only two successful coup supported by the en masse that brought two women president in Malacanang, Corazon Aquino and Gloria Arroyo who both preceded a corrupt predecessor.

The very first people power was of exceedingly great of magnitude of civilian supporters with the aim of suppressing an authoritarian regime by bringing a new democratic goverment while the second is of less than what saw in the first civilian back revolution.

Gregorio Honasan who was once a colonel and a leader of the RAM boys group in the military has launched a series of unsuccessful coup events against the administration of former President Corazon Aquino. Which the last coup attempted under his direction has almost bring down the administration of President Corazon Aquino to it's knees. The event almost killed Benigno Aquino III now a senator is the former President Aquino's son by a retreating rebels who tried to get past thru Malacanang. American intervention and support from former President George Bush swiftly pushed the balance of power into Corazon Aquino's favor. Thus it was the last coup legacies under Honasan supervision against the goverment of former President Aquino. Honasan was eventually captured ending his hide-and-seek game with the goverment. But was later on escaped with the military guard assigned to him.

Former President Fidel Ramos also former defense chief of Corazon Aquino who succeeded the later and elected in May 1992 as the first president to serve under the 1987 constitution, saw an opportunity for the country achieved lasting peace and development. A non-partisan and unity in the republic is one of his administration top priority. His administration instituted roadmap to peace and development in the republic by extending amnesty to the rebel groups. Under his leadersip the country gained political stability and saw no coup elements destabilizing the peace and security. Honasan resurfaced after hiding applied and was granted amnesty. May 2007 senatorial election came and he eventually won a seat in the senate.

After Vice President Gloria Arroyo assumed the presidency 2001 from deposed former President Joseph Estrada in the years to follow saw some resurgence of coup. In 2003 a group of young navy officers belongs to the magdalo group of lieutenant Antonio Trillanes held up in luxury apartment in Makati city, the Oakwood appartment. With some followers also in the military uniform cordon the apartment with explosive bomb and other amunition with them. In what appears to be a demonstration of ready for battle. These same magdalo group with lieutenant Antonio Trillanes that publicy demanded reform in the military, the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo and her former top defense chief Angelo Reyes due to allegation of corruption prevalence in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Under intense negotiation from the goverment these navy officers peacefully agreed to surrender peacefully and some of them return to their barracks.
Senator Honasan was an ally of deposed former President Joseph Estrada was implicated as the advisor behind the failed Oakwood appartment mutiny. Goverment prosecutors filed rebellion charges against him and went into hiding. This was not the second time Honasan went into hiding, intelligence and law enforcement agencies was able bring him out in the shadow. Eventually he became an ally of President Arroyo and charges of rebellion against him was discontinued. Senator Honasan was re-elected in the senate in the May 2007.

While in military detention lieutenant Antonio Trillanes was allowed to file his candidacy for senate and won a seat. Thus making him the second renegade officer that was elected in the senate after Honasan. His campaign for senate seat was supported by the opposition that is also allied to deposed former President Joseph Estrada. Due to the nature of his cases he was not allowed to attend a senate session with his frustration he staged another mutiny with General Lim and few supporters in what he might thought his cause would be supported by the en masse of those who had voted for him. Senator Trillanes second attempt in November 2007 to forced the resignation of President Arroyo did not send a multitude of people to the street to support and defend his cause while they are in the Manila Penninsula hotel. The unthinkable mistake of his action had given goverment prosecutors a stronger basis for not allowing him to attend senate session and filling of more charges against him.

Today the task of immediate radical changes in the goverment is perceived most difficult because in the face of political reality those that have the biggest well maintained political machinery would always comes out stronger. A current administration who's compentence and governance is questioned in it's ability to control corruption and is preceeded by a scandal and controversy ridden administration also does not necessarily or immediately would effect a dramatical event that would lead to another people power revolution. In effect the people of the republic is just too tired of politics as of this moment.

Factory of Political Parties

The republic has been since becoming a blooming industry for diverse set of plurality of establishing political parties. In the early years of the first republic there has been one political party the Federal Party. The first party did not survive following the years after the commonwealth. In the second republic saw the emergence of two party the Nationalista Party and Liberal Party. A party system that patterned alike with the Republican and Democrats of the United States of America. The Nationalista party produced more Presidents than the Liberal party. It is the latter that was a breakaway from the former. Today both parties are considered the oldest surviving political party.

In the years and succession years of martial law period former President Ferdinand Marcos suspended polical parties. National assembly election in 1978 came and saw the resumption of political parties. Kilusan Bagong Lipunan was formed as an umbrella of political support for Marcos. Other political parties emerges most of them are unknown and defunct at present while the two grand old party Liberal and Nationalista was sidelined and their participation saw little impact. With most of the opposition parties boycotted other national elections in the 1980s with claimed of one-side to favor Marcos hold in power. The leading opposition political party against Marcos KBL was the Lakas ng Bayan of the Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr, he was the most leading opponent figure of Marcos. After Benigno Aquino's assination in August 21, 1983 his party transcend as one of the most leading vocal groups of opposing the autocratic administration of Marcos. Soon the party joined with other opposition party to form a single banner known as the United Nationalist Democratic Organization - UNIDO. This became former President Corazon Aquino's party banner in the 1986 presidential snap elections.

After assuming the presidency former President Corazon Aquino's popularity is evident in the May 1987 congressional elections wining most of the seats in congress. In the senate alone 22 out of 24 candidates she endorsed and run under her Lakas ng Bayan banner won the seats. Marcos' KBL saw little participation and was reduced to a minor party while Marcos was in exiled. Marcos died while in exile in 1989.

Pre-national election in 1992 saw the emergence of the new and ressurection of old political parties. Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) was formed but was divided into a faction that supports the candidacy of former Speaker Ramon Mitra and former defense secretary Fidel Ramos. Mitra was overwhelm garnered the support of the party's majority in a party's national convention and was nominated as the party's first standard bearer for the 1992 presidential elections. Ramos knowingly had better chances of winning the presidency than Mitra, thus together with his supporters had breakaway from LDP to form their own party the Lakas CMD which is at current the most dominant party. Ramos candidacy for the presidency was endorsed and supported by Corazon Aquino and he eventually won the presidency beating Mirriam Santiago who is now a Senator and was thought to be the next to become President after Corazon Aquino because of showing strong on the surveys all the time. Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago also formed her own People's Reform Party. Other party that saw in action during presidential election campaign in 1992 was the Nationalist People's Coalition, Liberal Party, PDP-Laban, Nationalista Party, and KBL. It was Ramos who topped the 1992 presidential elections.

The presidential election campaign in 1998 change the course of political climate once more. The dominant Lakas CMD party was split into two faction supporting the candidacy of Speaker Jose De Venencia and former Defense Secretary Renato De Villa. De Venencia eventually won the party's nomination for it's standard bearer. De Villa followed the footstep of former President Ramos then to form his own party Reporma and run as it's standard bearer. Senator Raul Roco left LDP and formed his own Aksyon Demokratikong Pilipino. Other political parties that joined the 1998 presidential elections were Partido ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of Joseph Estrada which coalesce with LDP, Peoples Reform Party of Miriam Santiago, PDP Laban of Aquilino Pimentel, Nationalist People's Coalition NPC, Liberal Party LP, Nationalista Party NP, Kilusan ng Bagong Lipunan KBL. Joseph Estrada a former actor eventually won the 1998 presidential election but was forced out of office in the middle of his term due to massive allegation of mismanagement and corruption. He was succeeded by Gloria Arroyo.

2004 presidential election came the incumbent President Gloria Arroyo run under the banner of her own party KAMPI with Lakas CMD as the main supporter. LDP faction headed by Edgardo Angara fielded Fernando Poe Jr an actor and close friend of deposed former President Joseph Estrada. The other LDP faction was with Agapito Aquino brother in-law of former President Corazon Aquino supported the candidacy of Senator Panfilo Lacson. Senator Raul Roco once again joined as himself the standard bearer of his own Aksyon Demokratiko. A new political party formed by religious leader Eddie Villanueva also joined in the election. Results of the election shows incumbent President Arroyo garnering the top spot. On top of this on the congressional level also saw growth on the formation of party-list sectors.

Political parties is not as surprising that always figured prominently in the affairs of the republic. It has been always the subject of public attention.

Apparently a diverse ideological indifferences that made this political parties. Others may quick to note that the party formation of their own was a vehicle for advancement of their own interests. For whatever ideological reasonings it may validate, sad to note whenever election came more and more political parties are formed. This display a reality of uncertainty and discord within the parties own rank, the urge to become a leader is strong than to serve.

Apparently a diverse ideological indifferences that made this political parties. Others may quick to note that the party formation of their own was a vehicle for advancement of their own interests. For whatever ideological reasonings it may validate, sad to note whenever election came more and more political parties are formed. This display a reality of uncertainty and discord within the parties own rank, the urge to become a leader is strong than to serve.

The biggest challenges posed for these political parties is the direction to what may they contribute toward bringing a sustain progressive economic development and peace in the republic. In the face of modern era in a manner to which parties operated traditionally they tend to seek new behaviors and strategies. Practice of modern liberal democracy is regarded as widely accepted common influence of broad appreciation from the electorate. Perhaps an important structures by means of which to build a social agent of representation in the government to where the exercise of the affairs of the republic is temporarily entrusted. Sad to note it appears that political parties are more entrenched in their strategies of electoral mobilization to ensure that they can get the vote needed to win in the elections.