In the Philippine setting, politics is defined as the interaction among people characterized by conflict and cooperation to resolve disagreements through binding solutions. It involves governance, which is the method by which the state imposes and disposes rules in society using power or will

. The Philippines operates as a democratic and republican state with a presidential form of government, where sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them

. Politics is dominated by a powerful elite, with dynastic politics common at both local and national levels. Political parties tend to be weak, and elections are often influenced more by individual and familial personalities than by party platforms. Political positions provide opportunities for patronage, and clientelism and electoral fraud are widespread

. The government is structured into three branches-executive, legislative, and judicial-each with distinct powers and functions as defined by the Constitution. The president, elected by direct popular vote for a single six- year term, serves as both head of state and government and leads the executive branch. The bicameral Congress, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, performs legislative functions. The judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court, oversees the legal system and ensures constitutional compliance

. Philippine politics is also influenced by historical legacies from Spanish and American rule, which shaped its legal and political institutions. Despite challenges such as corruption, patronage, and weak political parties, democracy maintains strong public support with high voter turnout

. In summary, politics in the Philippines is defined by democratic governance rooted in a presidential system, but is heavily influenced by elite dominance, patronage networks, and personality-driven elections within a multi-party framework