UP project to open up access to local gov't election data to inform voters

By UP Media and Public Relations Office on September 9, 2024

UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies Executive Director Rosalie Arcala Hall welcomes both the speakers and the audience to the Roundtable Discussion on the Philippine Local Government Election Dataset Project, held on July 31, 2024 at the UP CIDS Office at the Lower Ground Floor of Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman. Photo by Kevin Christian Roque, UP MPRO.

Amidst the rising impact of misinformation and the increasing need for informed electoral decisions, the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS) Program for Social and Political Change (PSPC) organized a roundtable discussion to examine the potential of the Philippine Local Government Election Dataset Project.

Stakeholders from academia, civil society, and the media gathered to discuss the creation of an online portal aimed at empowering voters and increasing transparency in local governance. The event, held at the UP CIDS Conference Hall Open Space on July 31, 2024, provided a platform for exploring challenges and opportunities of using data-driven insights to boost voter awareness and participation.

Dr. Rogelio Alicor Panao, Convenor of PSPC and a faculty member of the UP Diliman Department of Political Science, introduced the motivation behind the project by discussing the principle of retrospective voting and its application in local politics. Retrospective voting posits that voters evaluate incumbent politicians based on the latter's past performance, rather than on their promises or potential future outcomes. This approach encourages voters to hold elected officials accountable, because it shifts the focus from electoral promises to tangible results and real governance achievements, rewarding or punishing incumbents based on their track record.

Dr. Rogelio Alicor L. Panao, convenor of the UP CIDS Program on Social and Political Change and UP Associate Professor of Political Science, discussed the principle of retrospective voting, or evaluating incumbent politicians based on their past performance rather than on their promises, which is the principle behind the Philippine Local Government Election Dataset Project. Photo by Kevin Christian Roque, UP MPRO.

In the Philippines, however, while retrospective voting guides citizen level decision-making, its impact can vary. Filipino voters often assess politicians based on accomplishments, scandals, or failures during their tenure. Voters may look back at how well politicians addressed key issues, such as infrastructure development, social services, and economic management.

However, the effectiveness of retrospective voting is mediated by factors such as media coverage, political patronage, family name branding, and an overall political culture that puts a premium on personal characteristics, charisma, or the image of a candidate rather than on their policies, qualifications, or on substantive issues.

The challenge of obtaining and utilizing complete information on retrospective voting is exacerbated by certain voting behaviors and information habits. Filipino voters sometimes exhibit a tendency towards being "information misers," that is, they may not actively seek out detailed or comprehensive information about political candidates or incumbents. This can stem from various factors, including limited access to reliable information sources, media bias, or a lack of engagement with in-depth political analysis.

When voters do not actively seek out or are exposed to incomplete information, they might rely on superficial sources, rumors, or political messaging that do not fully capture the performance and record of incumbents. This can lead to a skewed evaluation process where the true effectiveness or failures of officials are not accurately assessed. For instance, if voters only remember high-profile scandals or family names without understanding the broader context or long-term performance, their retrospective voting decisions may not reflect a true assessment of an incumbent's governance.

To address these challenges, it is essential to foster a culture of informed voting, where comprehensive information about political performance is readily accessible and actively sought by voters. By consolidating and making accessible a comprehensive dataset encompassing electoral and fiscal data from 1992 onwards, the Philippine Local Government Election Dataset Projects aims to equip citizens with the necessary information to make informed choices based on candidates' track records and performance.

Angel S. Averia, Jr., National Chairperson of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) and President of the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team, shared insights into NAMFREL's ongoing efforts to gather and verify election data from various sources and emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process. Photo by Kevin Christian Roque, UP MPRO.

Mr. Angel Averia, National Chairperson of the National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), a nonpartisan election watchdog, underscored the significance of collaboration between civil society organizations and academic institutions to ensure the accuracy and reliability of election-related data. He shared insights into NAMFREL's ongoing efforts to gather and verify election data from various sources, and emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process.

The roundtable discussion also explored the academic perspective. Dr. Christopher Mantillas, Associate Dean and Associate Professor of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' (PUP) Political Science and International Studies Department, shed light on how the platform could be integrated into academic curricula to foster critical thinking and research among students. He highlighted the potential of the dataset to serve as a valuable resource for faculty and students alike in analyzing electoral trends, patterns of local fiscal governance, and the impact of policies on communities.

Prof. Danilo Arao, a seasoned academic from the UP Diliman Department of Journalism, a media expert affiliated with Pinoy Weekly, Bulatlat Media, and the convenor of Kontra Daya, provided the media perspective on the project. He emphasized the media's crucial role in disseminating information to the public and shaping public discourse. Prof. Arao stressed the importance of ensuring that the dataset is presented in a user friendly and accessible format, enabling journalists and media practitioners to effectively communicate complex data to their audiences.

In presenting the media perspective on the project, Prof. Danilo A. Arao, UP Associate Professor of Journalism, columnist at Pinoy Weekly, and Associate Editor at Bulatlat Media, and Convenor of Kontra Daya, emphasized that the dataset must be presented in a user friendly and accessible format so as to enable journalists and media practitioners to effectively communicate complex data to their audiences. Photo by Kevin Christian Roque, UP MPRO.

One of the highlights of the event was the interactive Q&A session, during which attendees, raising pertinent questions and sharing valuable insights, actively engaged with the panelists. Participants inquired about the dataset's scope, its potential for research, and strategies to enhance its accessibility and usability. Discussions also revolved around the possibility of incorporating data on specific issues, such as flood control expenditures, and exploring avenues for promoting the dataset through partnerships with local government units (LGUs) and integrating it into the Philippines' Open Data initiative.

The Philippine Local Government Election Dataset Project signifies a significant stride towards promoting transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making in the electoral process. By harnessing the power of data and making it accessible to the public, PSPC aims to empower citizens to actively participate in shaping the future of their communities. The collaborative nature of the project, involving stakeholders from diverse sectors, underscores the importance of collective action in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting good governance.

The goal is to launch the project later this year, and UP CIDS PSPC remains steadfast in its commitment to refine the dataset portal, expand its scope, and foster partnerships to ensure its maximum impact. The insights gleaned from the roundtable discussion will undoubtedly contribute to the development of a robust and user friendly platform that will serve as a valuable resource for voters, researchers, journalists, policymakers, and all those invested in the future of local governance in the Philippines.

The University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies is a leading research and policy think tank dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research and promoting evidence-based policies for national development.

Bonn Francis A. Mendoza is a Junior Project Assistant at the Program on Social and Political Change of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies.