1. Elections in the Philippines allow citizens to choose their leaders and officials. However, the country's first president was chosen by rebels and not elected by citizens. 2. The electoral system involves electing the president, vice president and senators to six-year terms, and lower offices like representatives, governors and mayors to three-year terms. Citizens 18 years or older can vote if they are registered. 3. Political parties exist across diverse ideologies but many do not have strong grassroots support. Parties seek to gain power through elections and support candidates to enhance their own careers and for economic and ideological reasons.