Discourses of Power in the 2016 Philippine Presidential Debates and Online Debate Commentaries

Abstract

This study examined the discourses of power in the 2016 Philippine Presidential Debates and online debate commentaries. It specifically used Foucault’s Power/Knowledge Analytic to analyze the discourses of power in the 2016 Philippine Presidential Debates and online debate commentaries. In examining the discourses of power, the “space” given to the co-agents of discourse was analyzed. Specifically, “space” was analyzed by examining the opportunity given to voices of the aforementioned co-agents of discourse, the processes and struggles undergone by them, and the consequences/effects of such “space” given to them in the circulation of knowledge/flow of discourse. The opportunity given to voices of the co-agents of discourse, namely, Duterte and the rest of the candidates (Poe, Santiago, Roxas, and Binay), the media (GMA, ABC-5, and ABSCBN), and prospective voters enabled them to articulate/convey their thoughts, views, and reactions on selected issues and, consequently, undertake the processes and struggles in the debates, which resulted in further discourse and more importantly, dispersion of power or power in itself, and knowledge. Notably, the aforementioned processes and struggles appeared to be the transformative and productive aspect of the study’s framework as these promote further discourse, which results in the dispersion of power and knowledge. Undoubtedly, the co-agents of discourse are “vehicles of power”, in Foucault’s words. These likewise affirm Foucault’s argument that “power is a productive force,” that it is “dispersed” in society, and that indeed, nobody has the “monopoly of power”.