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Author: search.filters.author.Casiano, Marife MendozaEnd date: 1999

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    An evaluation on the exercise of political rights among electorate in Balaoan, La Union
    (1999-05) Casiano, Marife Mendoza
    The citizens become power holders through the exercise Of their political rights such as right of suffrage in terms of election and initiative, right to form and join associations and right to information on matters of public concern. Through these, they are able to hold government officials accountable and they are able to express their needs and sentiments to the government. The citizens’ exercise of these rights, however, may vary depending on their socio-economic status and religious affiliation. They may also be prevented by some causes thereby hindering them from effectively exercising their rights. The study presented a description, comparison, analysis and evaluation on the exercise of political rights among electorate in Balaoan, La Union. It answered the following specific problems: 1. To what extent do the electorate exercise their political rights along the following dimensions: a. Right of suffrage in terms of election, b. Right of suffrage in terms of initiative, c. Right to form and join associations, d. Right to information on matters of public concern? 2. How do the exercises of political rights compare when the respondents are grouped according to: a. Socio-economic status, a.1) Income a.2) Educational attainment a.3) Occupation b. Religious affiliation? 3. To what extent do specified causes prevent the exercise of political rights? To answer the problems, the study used descriptive .method particularly descriptive-evaluative design. It utilized 390 sample population from among the electorate in Balaoan, La Union. This was determined through random sampling specifically lottery sampling technique without replacement method. Data were obtained mainly through the questionnaire. The data obtained were tabulated, analyzed and interpreted with statistical tools such as weighted means, t-test, F-test/ One-Way Analysis of Variance and Scheffe method. The findings of the study were the following. 1. The right of suffrage in terms of election is sometimes exercised by the electorate. Voting an educationally qualified candidate is exercised the most while conducting election boycott is the least exercised activity. The right of suffrage in terms of initiative is sometimes exercised by the electorate. The most exercised activity is identifying locally felt needs and problems while proposing amendments to the Constitution is the least exercised. The right to form and join associations is sometimes exercised by the electorate. Joining public organizations is exercised the most while organizing associations is the least exercised activity. The right to information on matters of public concern is sometimes exercised by the electorate. The most exercised activity is questioning rationale of government projects while securing document of any kind from government employees is the least exercised. 2. Income groups do not differ significantly in the exercise of political rights. The statistical analysis showed no significant difference among the respondents grouped according to educational attainment in the exercise of political rights. There is no significant difference in the exercise of political rights among electorate grouped according to occupation. The respondents grouped according to religious affiliation differed significantly in the exercise of right to form and join associations. The Mormon group differed significantly from the other religious groups. However, the statistical analysis showed no significant difference among the respondents in the exercise of the other political rights. 3. The exercise of right of suffrage in terms of election is moderately prevented by the specified causes. The non-significance of election ranked number 1 and the people's lack of interest ranked number 10. The exercise of right of suffrage in terms of initiative is moderately prevented by the specified causes. Ideas are not given importance ranked number 1 while fear of incurring enemies ranked number 10. The specified causes moderately prevent the exercise of right to form and join associations. High fees are collected and members are not encouraged to participate in government activities ranked number 10. The specified causes moderately prevent the exercise of right to information on matters of public concern. Belief that no justice is served on irregularities ranked number 1 while lack of time ranked number 10. Based on the major findings, the study arrived at the following conclusions: A. The electorate in Balaoan, La Union less effectively exercise their political rights. They have the tendency to exhibit subject political culture. B. There is no power struggle between the haves and have nots. They do not consider money as a potential source of power that could enhance the exercise of their rights. Education does not play a big role in elevating the people's level of awareness of their rights. However, the electors, regardless of educational attainment, are still inclined to exercise their rights if their welfare is at stake. The electorate, regardless of occupation, exercise their rights if it is cost- effective. They act positively if the perceived benefits outweigh the perceived costs. Minority religious groups that are managed by non-Filipinos tend to be more politically active in order to compensate for their status. C. The people exhibit a moderate sense of political efficacy. They are not fully confident of their ability to significantly influence government affairs. The recommendations of the study include the following: 1. The government must initiate a program on political socialization in order to create and promote desirable values and attitudes conducive to participatory democracy particularly in the exercise of political rights. It must initiate campaign to educate the people about their rights and stir them top political activism. 2. A municipal library may also be maintained where important information regarding the activities of the municipality may be showcased so that the people will he encouraged to support the endeavors of the municipality. 3. The local government may also conduct an intensive information campaign regarding the activities of the municipality for the people to support the local government. 4. The organization of the Barangay Development Council as provided in RA 7160 must he strengthened and made visible in order to organize task forces to promote citizen participation in local governance. 5. Researchers may conduct studies on the exercise of political rights among indigenous people to know whether constitutional mandates can effectively co-exist with traditional institutions.