Updated October 5, 2025
Webster Dictionary defines a dynasty as “a succession of
rulers from the same line or descent”. The
reign of ancient rulers’ family and their descendants in China and the absolute
monarchies of Europe are example of dynasty. Emperors and kings ruled and when
they were gone, their power was passed to an appointed successor who was a
member of the same family. In the Philippine setting whether at the
national or local level a political dynasty means a reign of a family and
its relatives whose members occupy different elective positions in a particular
area all at the same time. This kind of practice can be termed as oligarchy
which the Webster Dictionary defines as “a government for the few or a
government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and
selfish purposes”. In the Philippines it is the practice of some
politicians to have members of the family hold different elective positions
thereby controlling the political and economic landscape of a particular area.
Once it establishes its stronghold, the political family uses its influence and
financial resources at their disposal to hold on to power for as long as possible. A
political family is also a dynasty since most often power is passed from one member of a
family to another and its reign can last for many years or over a generation or
beyond.
Aware of the maladies caused by political
dynasties, the framers of 1987 constitution made a provision which is Article
2, Section 26 on State Policies that says: “The state shall guarantee equal
access to opportunities for public service and prohibits dynasties as maybe
defined by law”. Legal minds have it
that said constitutional provision needs an enabling law in order to be
effectively implemented. The present constitution has been in effect since
February 11, 1987, and since then many congresses have come and gone. However, the
past and present set of legislators has not passed a bill to deal on the issue
of political dynasty. Many people doubt that any of the legislators would
initiate an action with regard to the matter considering that many of them come
from political families. A law of that kind will certainly diminish the
legislators’ political influence or power in their respective areas or districts.
The constitution has
also provided for a term-of-office limit to elected public officials. This provision
should have been one of the ways to help prevent the emergence of political
dynasties. But politicians have gotten away with it by simply
running to a lower position when his term expires, and takes it back when his subservient ally has served out his term of office. With this
practice politicians are able to stay long in office as they wish despite the
constitutional ban.
The 1987
constitution also provides for a party list system where marginalized and underrepresented
sectors or groups who have little chance against traditional politicians in elections
are given an opportunity to serve in the legislative body through that system.
At first the process worked smoothly, members of marginalized groups and
leftists were able to win seats in congress. Then came the 2013 Supreme Court rulings
that said that party list groups do not need to organize along sectoral lines,
and do not need to represent any marginalized and underrepresented sector. This
declaration opened the door to traditional political families and the rich to exploit the
party list. Because of their influence and material resources, political
families or dynasties have consequently won substantial number of seats in the
house of congress in the party list. It is ironic that the party list system which was originally
intended for the poor and marginalized groups has become a tool for the political families or dynasties and the elites to gain more seats in congress and further
strengthen their political powers and influence.
Some politicians contend that there is nothing wrong with
political dynasty since it is ultimately the people who decide if a person will
hold an elective position or not. They say that a well qualified and dedicated
person should not be denied of his right to serve a public office for the mere
reason that he belongs to a political family. That statement is theoretically
correct. However, the reality in Philippine politics is that more often than
not it is only the well entrenched, well connected and moneyed politicians who
usually win an election. In the
Philippines most of the voters belong to the lower income group. And because of
their number their votes is a crucial factor in the outcome of an election. Because
of their poverty, the poor people are the most vulnerable to fall prey on
traditional politicians’ trick to provide for the poor’s immediate day’s needs
like food and money during election time in exchange of their votes. Winning
over those types of voters needs huge financial resources. Simply put, it is
difficult for a deserving person of ordinary means to run against an incumbent
politician let alone one who is a member of a powerful political family or clan.
Political dynasties
in the Philippines are sprouting like mushrooms. Not all of them are bad and
some are honest and dedicated to serve their constituents. In some cases the
existence of political dynasty has even benefited the people of a particular
area. But generally political dynasty is not good for the Philippine democracy and
well being of the Filipinos. Political dynasty is a system that brings about
corruption, unequal political and economic opportunities, nepotism and
patronage system in job opportunities and the monopoly of political and economic
powers over a long period of time by few people who belong to the same family
or clan.
After all
these years politicians still ignore the anti-dynasty provision. It will only
be the sovereign people who can do that for them through people’s initiative,
or through a petition to the Supreme Court to order the legislators to do their
mandate. The matter can also be made as an issue in the next election so that
voters reject candidates who belong to family dynasty. The clamor
of the youth, civil society and other well-meaning groups is needed to compel
our legislators to do their task. And maybe, the passing of anti-dynasty law is
the missing link that will move this country forward.
