DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings
Document Type
Paper Presentation
Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)
Dalan, John Den Saul L.
Abstract/Executive Summary
In democratic societies, political participation is a fundamental right, allowing every citizen, regardless of background, to run for office. However, this political freedom raises pressing questions about governance quality when competence standards are not in place. The tension between democratic inclusivity and the need for competent leadership becomes particularly relevant in educational settings where future leaders are shaped. This study aims to explore how student leaders perceive and experience political freedom in the absence of defined competence criteria in leadership roles. Guided by a transcendental phenomenological design, the study involved 20 purposively selected student leaders from Columban College, Inc., Basic Education Department–Asinan Campus. Structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using six-phase thematic analysis. Findings reveal that while participants value democratic access to leadership, they also recognize the dangers of unqualified individuals holding power, citing inefficiency and corruption as common outcomes. Participants shared personal encounters with leadership gaps and emphasized the importance of balancing democratic ideals with competence-based standards. The study concludes by recommending the integration of political literacy and competence development in leadership, with broader implications for strengthening democratic governance in both academic and national contexts.
Keywords
competence and freedom; Philippines; Politics; transcendental phenomenology