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Are PALAKASAN SYSTEM and PADRINO MENTALITY alike? Well almost.

The Padrino system, or patronage in Filipino culture and politics, is the value system where one gains favor, promotion, or political appointment through family affiliation (nepotism) or friendship (cronyism), as opposed to one's merit.

Palakasan system is a Tagalog word that means the assertion of personal interest via lakas while subtly bypassing prescribed rules and procedures in line with "delicadeza." “Lakas means power or strength and "delicadeza" means a refusal to be vulgar or crass in exercising power.

Money is power. In the Philippines, if you don't want to queue and get wilted in a long line, money can help you find the easiest route ... and the right connections.