The Return of the Political: Chantal Mouffe and Ozamiz city Politics

Authors : Gerry ARAMBALA

Pages : 56-81

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Publication Date : 2019-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :For nearly two decades, Ozamiz city was ruled by a political dynasty whose predatory politics has brought about the radical deficit of democracy in the state. Politics in the city is characterized with political harassments and violence. For three decades the ruling family succeeded in reformulating the democratic values of popular sovereignty and political antagonism in the city’s democratic institutions, that they were able to rule the city without any threats of popular uprising and protestations. With their political machinery they were able to hostage the people of Ozamiz; often denying most of the citizens’ freedom to insist on their fundamental democratic rights and entitlements. However, with the advent of the radical leadership exemplified by Chief Inspector Jovi Espenido, the fate of democracy in the city is changed from an authoritarian predatory system to a more open and democratic system. From a predatory state ruled by warlords and power predators to a liberal democratic state which embraces the fundamental democratic principles of liberty and equality.  This paper intends to examine the state of politics of Ozamiz city following Chantal Mouffe’s radical democratic paradigm. It aims to elucidate how Mouffe’s antagonistic democracy fits to the state of politics in Ozamiz after the progressive leadership of Jovi Espinido was realized. 
Keywords : Ozamiz city, Political dynasty, Chantal Mouffe, Radical Democracy, Warlords