Philippine Politics and Governance –
Grade 11
Power (Saturday, September 30, 2023)
Why is power a hot commodity?
By definition, Power is the possession of control, authority or influence over others.
Power is Might, or it is the ability to do something desirable.
Geopolitics, the politics involving geographic locations for territories. Think of the West
Philippine Sea and the claiming of islands during the Colonization period.
Power implies Control, an even relationship between a person, group of people or entity in
control, and of the one controlled.
-Those in control can tell people what to do, even if the people don’t like it.
-The person has power if they can give punishments and give rewards. If they cannot do
either of those things, it is simply influence.
State exercises powers as a Body Politic, Politicians wield power from their station or
position, which can be helpful to some and detrimental to others.
Power is exercised through:
Decision Making, the influence on content of decisions. They decide who will do so, what to
do, and how to execute such decisions.
-The branches of power under this are Judges and Justices that give verdicts, Executive
branches decide everyday operations of the country, the Legislative branch is involved in
debates and discussions about law that needs legislative inquiry.
Agenda Setting, involving the ability to set or control political agenda. For example, power is
also the capacity to prevent the making of decisions about non-decision making like
controversies.
, Thought Control, the psychological control where one could change or shape how another
thinks or behaves. Basically Brainwashing of various degrees.
Types of Power
Eminent Domain
The inherent right of the state to condemn private property to public use upon payment of just
compensation.
-Conditions include the necessity of taking, adequacy of compensation, and the public-use
character of the purpose of the thing.
-There are two Constitutional Basis under the Eminent Domain, section 1, Article III of the
1987 Constitution wherein no person can be deprived of life, freedom and property without
going through the law, and neither can anyone be denied of the law’s protection.
-The second is section 9 of the same Article, where private property shall not be taken for
public use without just compensation.
Police Power
It doesn’t really talk about the police. It is the most demanding, least limitable and most
pervasive type of power. It is the power inherent to the state to regulate liberty, promoting
general welfare for all.
-Salus Populi Suprema Lex, or Welfare of the People is a Supreme Law
-Sic Utere Tuo Ut Alienum Non Laedas, or Use your property in such a manner as not to
injure that of another.
-One example is the privilege of carrying guns, it is not a right in any form, and it can be
revoked at any time.
Power of Taxation
It is the power of the state to assess and collect taxes, as taxes are the lifeblood of the nation.
-The purpose for taxation is to pay the national debts, to promote general welfare, and to
provide for the defense of the state. It is to gather funds for the government and the things
under it like government employees and public spaces.
-Taxation must be uniformed, that all people must be taxed fairly. It must also be equitable,
or progressive. If one has a small income, then they will be taxed less, and if one has a large
income, then they will be taxed more.
Grade 11
Power (Saturday, September 30, 2023)
Why is power a hot commodity?
By definition, Power is the possession of control, authority or influence over others.
Power is Might, or it is the ability to do something desirable.
Geopolitics, the politics involving geographic locations for territories. Think of the West
Philippine Sea and the claiming of islands during the Colonization period.
Power implies Control, an even relationship between a person, group of people or entity in
control, and of the one controlled.
-Those in control can tell people what to do, even if the people don’t like it.
-The person has power if they can give punishments and give rewards. If they cannot do
either of those things, it is simply influence.
State exercises powers as a Body Politic, Politicians wield power from their station or
position, which can be helpful to some and detrimental to others.
Power is exercised through:
Decision Making, the influence on content of decisions. They decide who will do so, what to
do, and how to execute such decisions.
-The branches of power under this are Judges and Justices that give verdicts, Executive
branches decide everyday operations of the country, the Legislative branch is involved in
debates and discussions about law that needs legislative inquiry.
Agenda Setting, involving the ability to set or control political agenda. For example, power is
also the capacity to prevent the making of decisions about non-decision making like
controversies.
, Thought Control, the psychological control where one could change or shape how another
thinks or behaves. Basically Brainwashing of various degrees.
Types of Power
Eminent Domain
The inherent right of the state to condemn private property to public use upon payment of just
compensation.
-Conditions include the necessity of taking, adequacy of compensation, and the public-use
character of the purpose of the thing.
-There are two Constitutional Basis under the Eminent Domain, section 1, Article III of the
1987 Constitution wherein no person can be deprived of life, freedom and property without
going through the law, and neither can anyone be denied of the law’s protection.
-The second is section 9 of the same Article, where private property shall not be taken for
public use without just compensation.
Police Power
It doesn’t really talk about the police. It is the most demanding, least limitable and most
pervasive type of power. It is the power inherent to the state to regulate liberty, promoting
general welfare for all.
-Salus Populi Suprema Lex, or Welfare of the People is a Supreme Law
-Sic Utere Tuo Ut Alienum Non Laedas, or Use your property in such a manner as not to
injure that of another.
-One example is the privilege of carrying guns, it is not a right in any form, and it can be
revoked at any time.
Power of Taxation
It is the power of the state to assess and collect taxes, as taxes are the lifeblood of the nation.
-The purpose for taxation is to pay the national debts, to promote general welfare, and to
provide for the defense of the state. It is to gather funds for the government and the things
under it like government employees and public spaces.
-Taxation must be uniformed, that all people must be taxed fairly. It must also be equitable,
or progressive. If one has a small income, then they will be taxed less, and if one has a large
income, then they will be taxed more.
