The Political Machinery: Why "Tradition" is a Politician’s Best Friend

Part 2 of 3

In my last rant or whatever that one was, I talked about the “what,” this part is about the “how.” How did we get to a point where, in 2026, our political landscape still looks like a series of family reunions punctuated by prayer meetings?

When you look at the results of the 2025 midterms, it’s easy to get discouraged. Despite some cracks in the old walls, about 80% of our lawmakers still belong to political dynasties. It makes you wonder: why do we, the “masa,” keep voting for the same surnames?

The answer isn’t that the voters are “uninformed.” It’s that conservatism in the Philippines has been weaponized into a very effective political product.

1. The “Tatay” and “Nanay” Complex

In a society rooted in colonial-religious values, we don’t just see a president or a governor; we see a Patriarch. We’ve been conditioned for centuries to view authority through the lens of a traditional family. Politicians know this. They don’t campaign on policy; they campaign on branding.

By positioning themselves as the “Tatay” (Father) or “Nanay” (Mother) of the nation, they tap into our deep-seated conservative respect for elders. If the leader is “family,” then criticizing them feels like “pagsuway” (disobedience). It turns accountability into a personal insult.

2. The Manipulation of Utang na Loob and Pakikisama

These are beautiful Filipino values, but in the hands of a savvy politician, they are tools of control. This is where the colonial “padrino” system still lives.

• Utang na Loob: When a politician gives out a scholarship or a bag of rice (using your tax money, mind you), it’s framed as a personal favor. Because we are a conservative, relationship-based society, we feel a moral obligation to “pay back” that favor with a vote.

• Pakikisama: Politicians appeal to our desire for “smooth relationships.” They label reformists or activists as “rebellious” or “manggugulo” (troublemakers) because they disturb the peace. Conservatism prizes order over justice, and politicians use that to stay in power.

3. The “God’s Whisper” Endorsement

Nothing beats a religious seal of approval in a conservative country. We see it every election cycle—the “bloc voting” and the high-profile endorsements from religious leaders.

For many, a candidate’s “morality” is more important than their platform. Politicians exploit this by making high-profile visits to churches and using religious language. It’s a brilliant shield: if a candidate is “blessed” by a leader, any corruption charge or human rights concern is dismissed as a “trial” or a “smear campaign by the ungodly.”

4. The Fear of the “Liberal Boogeyman”

The most common trick in the book is to frame progress as a threat to “The Filipino Family.” When someone suggests divorce, or LGBTQ+ protections, or secular education, conservative politicians don’t argue with facts. They argue with fear.

They paint progressives as “elites” who want to destroy our way of life. By doing this, they distract us from the fact that while we’re busy “protecting the family,” those same politicians are enriching their families through the 2026 national budget and entrenched dynasties.

The Lingering Question

We often say we vote for these people because they provide “stability.” But look around. If our conservatism is being used to keep us in a cycle of debt, patronage, and inherited power, whose stability are we actually protecting?

Is our adherence to these colonial and religious political styles a way of honoring our past, or is it the very thing preventing us from having a future where we vote for ideas instead of surnames?