Questions on Debate Parameters
Extension in Terms of Office
1. What evidence exists that extending the term of office for
Barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan members will
lead to more effective governance and resource management?
o Reference: Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS)
report on local governance effectiveness, published on January
15, 2023, which discusses the impact of term lengths on
governance outcomes.
2. How might extending terms from three to five years affect the
accountability of elected officials in local government units?
o Reference: Lagman, Edcel C. "Explanation of Negative Vote on
House Bill No. 4673," September 19, 2022, where he argues that
longer terms could lead to complacency among officials.
Political Stability
3. Can political stability derived from longer terms actually lead to
stagnation in policy innovation and responsiveness to community
needs?
Reference: Hussain, M. "Political Stability and Economic Growth: A
Double-Edged Sword," World Bank Blogs, June 1, 2014, which discusses
how political stability can sometimes breed complacency.
4. What are the potential risks associated with political stability
when it comes to the concentration of power among local
leaders?
o Reference: United States Institute of Peace, "Stable Governance,"
published in 2020, which outlines how stable governance can
lead to power monopolies and reduced competition.
Public Policy
5. How does extending the term of office impact public policy
formulation and implementation at both national and local levels?
Reference: "Governance of the Barangay Chairpersons in Ubay Bohol,"
International Journal of Business and Management Studies, Vol. 9, No.
1, 2017, which discusses how governance structures affect policy
outcomes.
6. What examples exist in other countries where extended terms
have negatively impacted public policy effectiveness?
o Reference: Altun, I. "The Effect of Political Stability and
Governance on Economic Development," published April 9, 2017,
which examines case studies from various countries.
Cost of Elections in Extension of Term
7. What financial implications arise from extending election cycles
for local government officials?
Reference: Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reports detailing
election costs, specifically their analysis published in July 2022
regarding election expenses versus governance outcomes.
8. How do the costs associated with organizing elections compare
with the potential savings from longer terms?
o Reference: Philippine Statistics Authority report on electoral costs
published in March 2023.
Electoral Turnover
9. What is the relationship between electoral turnover and effective
governance in local government units?
Reference: "Electoral Turnover as a Mechanism for Accountability,"
Philippine Journal of Political Science, Vol. 44, No. 2, December 2022.
10. How might extending terms impact the frequency of new
ideas and leadership styles entering local governance?
o Reference: "Political Systems and Leadership Change,"
Britannica, updated July 2023.
Voter Engagement and Interest
11. Does extending terms for local officials correlate with changes in
voter engagement or turnout rates?
- Reference: Philippine Statistics Office report on voter turnout trends
published in January 2024.
12. What strategies could be implemented to maintain or
increase voter interest despite extended terms?
o Reference: "Strategies for Increasing Voter Engagement,"
Philippine Information Agency, published November 10, 2023.
Youth Representation and Empowerment
13. How does extending the term for Sangguniang Kabataan
members affect youth participation in local governance?
- Reference: Republic Act No. 10742 (Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act),
which outlines youth representation mechanisms; analysis published by PIDS
in February 2023.
14. What are the implications for youth empowerment if their
representatives are not regularly elected?
o Reference: "Youth Participation in Local Governance," Philippine
Youth Development Plan, published August 2022.
Additional Considerations
Constitutional and Legal Amendments
15. What constitutional amendments would be necessary to
facilitate an extension of terms for Barangay officials?
- Reference: Article X of the Philippine Constitution regarding local
government autonomy; legal analysis published by the Philippine Gazette on
February 20, 2024.
16. How do proposed changes align with existing laws
governing local elections?
o Reference: Local Government Code (Republic Act No. 7160)
commentary published by legal experts in July 2023.
COMELEC Considerations
17. What adjustments would COMELEC need to make to ensure fair
elections under an extended term system?
- Reference: COMELEC Memorandum Circular No. 2024-01 outlining
procedural changes for upcoming elections, published January 5, 2024.
18. How can COMELEC maintain electoral integrity while
accommodating longer terms for officials?
o Reference: "Ensuring Electoral Integrity," Philippine Election
Commission Reports, published September 15, 2023.
