Personalities rule in Philippine polls

By CNN's Hope Ngo
in Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines' congressional and local polls may be a test the legitimacy of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government.

But other than this, observers believe there is little that sets these elections apart from any others in the country's political history.

"You have much the same picture, political patronage, shifting party loyalties, elites running for election and show business (personalities) in politics," sociologist Ricky Abad told CNN.

"No strong economic and social issues are at stake, or have been placed in the forefront of this campaign," he said.

Even if the polls live up to pundits' predictions and Arroyo's ruling coalition wins a majority, its not certain that this will translate into political stability.

"Party loyalties have never been that strong. Better still, party loyalties are strong for certain durations, and then they shift when the occasion demands it," Abad said.

"At the core of party loyalties are personalities, not issues," he said.

An unlikely partnership

The importance of the individual candidate over party loyalties can be seen in the Philippine province of Ilocos Norte.

There, the ruling People Power Coalition (PPC) congressional candidate is presently in an alliance with the political party set up by the late President Ferdinand Marcos at the height of his rule.

PPC campaign manager Paul Aquino, younger brother of Marcos' bitter political rival Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, admits such an alliance could not have happened six years ago.

"This has changed because of the realities of the time," Aquino told CNN.

"There are no ground rules in local elections. The only rule is to do the best you can," he said.

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