IN the Philippines, the transition from a rigid two-party system (pre-1972) to the current multiparty system (post-1986) remains one of the most influential decisions by the government. While the country currently has a multiparty system, many scholars point to the stability of the pre-martial law era (dominated by the Nacionalista and Liberal parties) as a model for certain efficiencies: With only two major parties, voters usually face a clear choice between two distinct platforms.