FOR the longest time, the Philippines has been at the disposal of around a hundred clans, despite constitutional provisions prohibiting political dynasties.
In a study conducted and published by the Asian Media Center, three of the country’s past and present Philippine Presidents are direct descendants of former heads of state. They are Gloria Macapagal – Arroyo (daughter of former President Diosdado Macapagal), the late Benigno C. Aquino III (son of former President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino), and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (son of the late doctor Ferdinand Marcos Sr.).
Up and beyond these three is a long list of families who have been swapping elective posts – or holding similar positions at the same time.
Dynasty Up-Close
According to Ateneo de Manila University Dean Ronald Mendoza, political dynasty is a situation wherein members of the same family are occupying elected positions, either in sequence for the same position, or simultaneously across different positions.
“Political Dynasties in the Philippine Congress,” a recent study of Dean Mendoza et al in 2013, hinted that “75 percent of district representatives, 85 percent of governors, and 66.67 percent of mayors could be considered dynastic.
The same study showed that these families tend to dominate the major political parties, making members of the political family formidable as indicated by winning ratios – making it extremely difficult for the “best and the brightest” to serve the government.
Family Rule
Studies showed a link between the prevalence of political dynasties and underdevelopment as dynastic politicians are extracting wealth and resources to optimize their own economic interests at the expense of their constituents.
They steal and destroy while operating under a weak rule of law through their access to extractive industries – like illegal mining, deforestation in the guise of land development, and reclamation to name a few tricks with immediate benefits.
They are exhausting resources to establish economic and political dominance, weaken political competition, and undermine political accountability.
Some are promoting development in their political bulwark while expanding their family’s wealth and clout. Under conditions of political stability and economic opportunities, dynasties can invest in limited economic development to maintain popular support and business connections.
[A] study showed that these families tend to dominate the major political parties, making members of the political family formidable as indicated by winning ratios – making it extremely difficult for the “best and the brightest” to serve the government.
As May Be Defined
The 1987 Constitution explicitly restricts political dynasties. However, the Philippine Congress for the last 37 years has not been able to enact an enabling law banning political dynasties.
Section 26 of the Constitution hinted at the need for an enabling law to enforce the prohibition – “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties AS MAY BE DEFINED BY LAW.”
The reason – both chambers of the Philippine Congress are dominated by political families who are not bent on enacting a law that would weaken their political clout and control.
Previous legislative bills were deemed dead from the time proposals were filed as 80 percent of the members of the Philippine Congress form part of political dynasties.
Strictly A Family Affair
For one, the 24-member higher legislative chamber is at the mercy of political families. Except for Senators Risa Hontiveros, Bong Go and Ronald dela Rosa, all the rest are members of continuously expanding political clans.
For some, the Senate has become a “reunion” of senators who have the same surnames — Cynthia and Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito, Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano. Interestingly, these pairs are not keen on the idea of giving up any seat in the Senate.
In the case of Sen. Cynthia Villar who is already on her last term, her daughter Camille has filed her certificate of candidacy for senator.
One of the Cayetano siblings – Pia, is running for reelection. Half-brothers Jinggoy and JV who both won during the 2022 senatorial derby still have until 2028 in office.
Absolutely No Way
A direct descendant of a political clan, Senate President Francis Escudero, previously warded off criticisms over the prevalence of political families in the Senate amid efforts to resurrect a once powerful political clan by endorsing the congressional bid of his younger sister Bernadette for the first legislative district of Sorsogon.
Why? Because there is no way for Senate members to support an enabling law that would diminish their political prowess.
Consider this: Senators Bong Revilla and Francis Tolentino are protecting their clout in Cavite, so are Senators Cynthia and son Mark preserving their business interests, in the same manner that Senator Nancy Binay’s family are preserving their hold in Makati City.
The Cayetano siblings, both lawyers, are not keen on diminishing their hold in Taguig City. Not to be left behind is Senator Sherwin Gatchalian whose brothers have expanded family prowess by notching a top Cabinet seat while maintaining control over Valenzuela City.
Senators Aquilino Pimentel III, Lito Lapid, Loren Legarda, Imee Marcos, Robin Padilla, Grace Poe, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel Zubiri – they all form part of the country’s political dynasty landscape.