An Exploratory Study of the Effectiveness of Unconditional EducationalAssistance Program as a Programmatic Electoral Strategy in the Philippines: The Case of Makati City’s Project FREE

This exploratory study deviated from the influential theoretical lens of clientelism in examining voter-politician ties Philippine political studies. Drawing on Kitschelt and Wilkinson’s (2007) conceptualization programmatic politics as an alternative electoral strategy, we investigated how a linkage between local leader its constituency is facilitated through non-contingent regular distribution school-related materials for public school children. policy has gained popularity among various government units (LGUs) Philippines. We focused Makati City government’s Project FREE (Free Relevant Excellent Education) due to reputation arguably being most innovative comprehensive educational assistance program ever implemented at country’s scale. employed purposive sampling technique obtain our participants – project’s parent beneficiaries. Through in-depth interviews, attitudes perceptions FREE’s beneficiaries towards mayor’s commitment them. By using thematic analysis, five themes emerged interview data: (1) financial relief, (2) security, (3) unique source citizen satisfaction, (4) personally dispensed patronage benefactor politician, (5) invaluable benefits project continuity: influencing vote preference. Beyond particularistic contingency-based exchange prevalent setting, this study’s findings also offer explanations what motivates voters reciprocate their with support education-based inducements.