In the Philippines, political ideologies are as diverse as the archipelago itself. Among conservatives, there is a strong emphasis on social and moral issues rooted in tradition, religion, and cultural heritage. This group generally advocates for policies that uphold family values, religious freedoms, and a sense of national identity. Liberals, on the other hand, often champion human rights, social equity, and progressive governance, advocating for policies that challenge the status quo to promote inclusivity and modernization.
Understanding the political spectrum in the Philippines requires examining the dynamic interplay between Filipino liberals and conservatives. This ideological divide shapes the nation’s political atmosphere, influencing debates on issues like education reform, reproductive health, and freedom of expression. By exploring this spectrum, we gain deeper insights into how these contrasting yet interconnected perspectives drive the evolving discourse of governance in the Philippines.
Read this introduction first: Political Spectrum: What’s a Leftist, Centrist, and Conservative?
What Type of Conservative Are You?
In the Philippines, many conservatives emphasize social and moral issues, such as abortion, same-sex marriage, divorce, and the death penalty. Often, these conservatives may overlook or entirely dismiss matters related to economic, environmental, and other non-cultural, non-religious, or non-traditional concerns.
Just as there are various factions among liberals and leftists, conservatism also encompasses a range of ideologies, each with distinct viewpoints. These different conservative groups sometimes have internal disagreements, much like their counterparts on the left.
Over the past few months, many followers of this page have identified themselves as social or libertarian conservatives, often combined with religious conservatism. Here are the primary categories of conservative ideologies:
Religious Conservative
Religious conservatives openly advocate for Judeo-Christian values, emphasizing the sanctity of life. They frequently refer to church teachings on issues such as abortion and the death penalty. They believe the church plays a crucial role in societal issues and often integrate religious doctrines into politics.
Patriot (Nationalist Conservative)
Patriot conservatives focus on nationalism, emphasizing “Filipino First,” the West Philippine Sea, and national sovereignty. They prioritize national issues and may support actions that assert Philippine independence, such as distancing from foreign influences.
Fiscal Conservative
Fiscal conservatives, sometimes overlooked by their religious and social counterparts, focus on capitalism, tax cuts, and constitutional reform. They are outspoken against communism and socialism, advocating for economic freedom and fiscal responsibility.
Social Conservative
Social conservatives aim to preserve Filipino and traditional values, focusing on family, sexual orientation, and marriage. They serve as a counterbalance to liberal progressives, defending cultural and societal norms.
Libertarian Conservative
Libertarian conservatives champion individual freedoms and limited government intervention in personal and business matters. They advocate for constitutional reform and the protection of civil liberties.
Neoconservative
Neoconservatives represent a more aggressive form of patriotism. While a patriot might support symbolic acts of sovereignty, a neoconservative would favor assertive actions, such as military strength. Like fiscal conservatives, they vehemently oppose communism and socialism, often with a more intense stance.
This list outlines the main categories of Filipino conservatism, though it is not exhaustive. Despite their differences, all conservatives share a common goal: to preserve religious, traditional, cultural, national, capitalistic, and social values against the threats of communism, socialism, progressivism, liberalism, and leftism.
Can you identify which type of conservative you are?
Getting to Know Our Liberal Counterparts
In the U.S., liberalism is almost synonymous with leftism. However, in the Philippines, there are distinct differences between liberals and leftists, which I will address in a separate post focusing on leftism in the country. Needless to say, Filipino liberals are still mirroring their American counterparts.
In the Philippines, liberals are commonly referred to as “yellows” or “Dilawan,” reflecting their recognized universal color. However, former VP Leni Robredo changed her color to pink during the Elections 2022, tagged as Pinklawan. The Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines is a notable representative of Filipino liberalism.
Filipino liberalism is a blend of traditional liberal values and progressivism. Here are some categories of Filipino liberals:
Rights Activists
These individuals advocate for equality and the protection of rights for everyone, including LGBT rights and women’s rights. Some also support the right to abortion. Many are involved with human rights organizations, usually monitoring violations against the right to life, liberty, and property. For them, human rights are essential, as indispensable as daily sustenance.
Global Warming Alarmists
Often referred to as environmentalists (or should I say masquerading as such), these individuals are highly concerned about climate change, believing it to be man-made and responsible for phenomena such as floods and extreme heat. They regard Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” as a Bible preaching and spreading the fear about potential global catastrophes, a view shared by many progressives.
Blue-Collar Liberals
While many liberals support a capitalistic system, this group views capitalists as exploitative and corporate entities as corrupt. They closely align with labor union activists in their advocacy for workers’ rights.
Liberal Elitists
This group places a high value on scientific reasoning, often criticizing conservatives as unscientific, illogical, ignorant, superstitious, and prone to conspiracy theories. They believe that religion should remain a private matter and that religious groups should not influence political affairs. They tend to see themselves as infallible fact-checkers, often dismissing scrutiny from others.
Netroots Activists
These activists believe that silence on governmental wrongdoing is equivalent to complicity. They are outspoken in their criticism, shaming, exposing, and mocking political adversaries and their supporters. For example, if Manny Pacquiao speaks against same-sex marriage, they might highlight his past transgressions or criticize his absenteeism in legislative sessions. They frequently accuse conservatives of bigotry and hypocrisy.
Understanding these various types of liberals helps clarify the diverse perspectives within Filipino liberalism.
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