Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

The Causes and Impacts of the Political Dynasties

in the Political Sphere of the Philippines

A Research Paper Presented to

Professor Edward Jay M. Quinto
Mapa Institute of Technology

in partial fulfillment
of the requirements in
English for Academic Purposes 2
(ENG11)

by
Raymond M. Rozario
Reynan C. Rozul
John Weber G. Ruiz
Ronn Kevin U. Santos
Eddie Rae A. Vallejos

December 2010

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

Acknowledgment

The researchers would like to give their gratitude to the

following that made this study possible:
First, they would like to express their deepest gratitude
to Professor Edward Jay Mansarte Quinto, who not only motivated
and taught them, but also gave them constructive criticisms for
this study to be better.
They would like to give gratitude to Professor Annabelle
Donato, their interviewee who gave a lot of key information
regarding this study.
The researchers would like to give thanks to their alma
mater,

Mapa

Institute

of

Technology

for

giving

quality

education, and its library for giving the researcher valuable

information.
The researchers would also like to thank their parents who
have been very supportive to the researchers.
And most of all, they would like to express their deepest
gratitude to God, the one who gave them knowledge and wisdom to
pursue and create this study.
R. M. R.
R. C. R.
J. W. G. R.
R. K. U. S.
E. R. A. V.

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

Abstract

This research, entitled The Causes and Impacts of Political

Dynasty in the Political Sphere of the Philippines; which will
tackle the following issues: What is the political dynasty? Which
families have built political dynasty in the local government?
Even though unconstitutional, why do such dynasties exist? How
does

it

affect

the

local

government?

How

does

it

affect

independent candidates in running for a certain position? The

methods that have been used for this research are the descriptive
interview and descriptive library methods. This research was a
success since the all of the questions were studied and answered
thoroughly.
government

The
and

researchers
laws

must

have

be

observed

implemented

many
for

flaws

these

in

the

political

dynasties to be gone. For political dynasties to be reduced; the

members of these dynasties themselves must realize that what they
are doing might affect them in the future and will suffer because
of

distrust

of

people

to

the

government

that

may

lead

to

rebellion. Future studies related to this topic must tackle the

possible procedures for these political dynasties to slowly fade
out.

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

Outline

1. Introduction
1.1. Political dynasty is a succession of people from the
same family who plays a role in politics.
1.2. Political dynasty exists in the Philippines because of
families that have an intense desire for power.
2. Body
2.1. Political Dynasties exist for various reasons.
2.1.1. They can gain money through graft and corruption.
2.1.2. The family gains influence which is beneficial in
the future.
2.1.3. The family intends to have a steady control of
political power.
2.2. Political dynasty has conquered different positions in
both the local and national governments.
2.2.1. The Violagos of Nueva Ecija, Arroyos of Pampanga,
and

Yaps

government.

of

Tarlac

dominate

their

local

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

2.2.2. The

Aquinos,

Arroyos,

and

Marcoses

are

some

families in the national government.

2.3. Political

dynasties

exist

even

though

they

are

unconstitutional.
2.3.1. They exist because there is no proper definition
of political dynasties.
2.3.2. A

law

regarding

the

elimination

of

political

dynasties cannot be properly made.

2.4. Political dynasties affect Philippine politics
2.4.1. The capacity of independent candidates to garner
votes is significantly reduced.
2.4.2. Many

politicians

overlook

the

mistakes

offenses of others because of family ties.

3. Conclusion

and

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

Introduction
Background
Simbulan (2007) stated that political dynasty is a
succession of people from the same family who plays a role in
politics, and now one of the problems in the Philippine politics
that the government can't solve. It is because the people in the
position are those who are involved in these political dynasties.
These people want to stay in their position because they want
power for personal gain.
Almost all citizens know that political dynasties are
lurking in the government but still, they continue to support
them even though political dynasties are unconstitutional. They
can't

be

dynasties

blamed
use

because

their

those

influences

candidates
and

who

money

to

have

political

dominate

and

manipulate the politics. Since this country doesn't distribute

good quality of life to its citizens, those who are in the
position are greedy and maybe scared because they don't want to
experience a difficult life.

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

As of 2007, different cities in the Philippines are being

ruled by about 250 political dynasties. They have the superiority
in the Philippine politics both national and local levels have
been there for at least three decades (Simbulan, 2007).
With the statement mentioned, the researchers came up to
this study since the level of political dynasty in the government
is alarming and the researchers should study this because it is
them and their fellow citizens who will suffer if this continues.
The study, as stated before, will focus on the different causes
and impacts towards the society and the government. They are
eager to get the results which they know would be helpful for the
citizens to be more aware to its side effects and also for the
other lawmakers to see the views of the other people.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to enumerate the different causes and
impacts of political dynasties in the political sphere of the
Philippines.
This research specifically aimed to answer the following
questions:
1. What is political dynasty?
2. Which families have built political dynasties in the
local government of the Philippines?
3. Even though unconstitutional, why do
exist?

such

dynasties

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

4. How

does

political

dynasty

affect

the

local

government?
5. How does the political dynasty affect the independent
candidates in the election?

Significance of the Study

The researchers aim to benefit the people associated with
the following groups:
The Present Students. They should be aware of why
political dynasties exist and what will happen if these dynasties
will continue to exist.
The General Public. They will attain knowledge and
awareness about political dynasties, which can be the basis of
the public's desire to change the trend regarding dynasties.
The Politicians of Our Country. Their awareness regarding
the effects of having these dynasties in our government will help
motivate them in the prevention of political dynasties.

Thesis Statement
With this in mind, political dynasties exist in the
Philippines because of families that have an intense desire for
power.

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

Body

Political Dynasties Exist for Various Reasons

Due to their wealth and the capability to control the
economy, they can exercise influence which gives them chance to
gain political power (Simbulan, 2007).
Wealthy families have the capacity to control economy,
because in some communities, money can run their lives and can
buy their dignity so it will be easy for wealthy families to
build a dynasty and gain political power.
All candidates in the category known in the government
called political dynasties always agree in the saying that
candidates

are

not

allowed

to

choose

one

of

their

family

members/relatives. Of course, only the voters will decide who

will win. Many Filipinos are bothered when there is political
dynasty on their area, because they think that corruption will be
the result of it, but for the candidates, it is getting difficult
for them because, if they run to their family members to simply
help and support them for their public service, the problem,
however, is every time they run to their family or relatives,
they always get wrong and bad feedback from people. The people
think that they will get corrupted because the candidates chose a

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

10

family member to gain power. But of course, they still need a

more professional help from outside their family to survive in
our modern world economy. New candidates are joining the election
every year. Even in showbiz, people there are running for their
chosen positions in the political world. That is mostly what are
happening today, candidates from showbiz top the list of winners
because of their exposure on television, for example: Kris Aquino
and Noli De Castro; we can see the reflection of the current
dominance

of

television

in

the

daily

life

on

the

average

Filipino. They have all this campaigns, from face-to-face media

appearances
popularity

to
to

advertisements
people

of

our

which

they

country.

paid

for

Celebrities

to

gain

today

are

tempted in what the former president Joseph "Erap" Estrada did.

He gained popularity and made it into a political career. He
easily captured the health of Filipinos. But every society is
unique in its development. Building a strong modern political
world is decidedly toward the formulation that we can get not
only from adjuncts of clans, churches or corporations (David,
2007).
The statement shows that people always think that having a
relative in position while a certain person is in position also
is called political dynasty and can result to corruption. This
cause

candidate

to

have

hard

time

asking

help

to

their

relatives because people may see it as a negative sign or not a

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

11

worthy man for a position but as everyone can see, it is normal

to ask for help to relatives and non-relatives. Some of the
elected politicians came from showbiz and they top the list of
elected persons this is due to high exposure in showbiz and being
popular like former president Erap Estrada.
The presence of political dynasties in our government
promotes graft and corruption, because family members tend to
overlook the mistakes of each other. This also leads to nepotism
(A. Donato, personal communication, October 28, 2010).
The main effect of political dynasties; as stated above is
graft and corruption due of their power and confidence to do it
because they hold every position in a community so no one will
charge them of their bad deeds. Nepotism occurs when the relative
of a powerful figure ascends to similar power seemingly without
appropriate qualifications.

Political Dynasty has Conquered Different Positions in both the

Local and National Governments
Ben Rosario stated in his article in Manila Bulletin
entitled: "Forget anti-dynasty bill in the 15th Congress;" "The
list of solons belonging to powerful political families include:
Metro

Manila:

Pinas);
(Manila);

Reps.

Belmonte

Jr.

(Quezon

City);

Villar

(Las

Binay (Makati City); Gonzales (Mandaluyong City); Lopez

Angping

(Manila);

Bagatsing

(Manila);

Biazon

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

12

(Muntinlupa City); Tobias(Navotas); Rubiano-Calixto (Pasay City);

Castelo (Quezon City); Banal (QC); Ejercito (San Juan); Tinga
(Taguig City); Gatchalian (Valenzuela City); and Lacson-Noel.
Region I: Reps. Romualdez Marcos (Ilocos Norte); Singson (Ilocos
Sur);

Singson

Jr.

(Ilocos

Sur);

Ortega

(La

Union);

Celeste

(Pangasinan); De Venecia (Pangasinan); Cojuangco (Pangasinan);

Primicias-Agabad (Pangasinan); Region II: Reps. Abad (Batanes);
Enrile-Jr

(Cagayan);

Ting

(Cagayan);

Albano

(Isabela);

Dy

(Isabela), and Cua (Quirino); Region III: Reps. Garcia (Bataan);

Roman

(Bataan);

(Nueva

Ecija);

Macapagal-Arroyo

Alvarado
Violago

(Bulacan);
(Nueva

(Pampanga);

Mendoza

Ecija);
Bondoc

(Bulacan);

Umali

(Nueva

(Pampanga);

Joson

Ecija);
Cojuangco

(Tarlac); Yap (Tarlac); Lapus (Tarlac) and Magsaysay (Zambales);

Region IV A: Reps. Collantes (Batangas); Abaya (Cavite); Mercado
Revilla (Cavite); Crispin Remulla (Cavite); Chipeco (Laguna);
Enverga (Quezon); Alcala (Quezon); Tanada III (Quezon); Duavit
(Rizal); Rodriguez Jr. (Rizal); Puno (Antipolo City); Region IVB:

Reps.

Villarosa

(Occidental

Mindoro);

and

Umali

(Oriental

Mindoro); Region V: Reps. Lagman (Albay); Unico (Camarines Sur);

Andaya Jr. (Camarines Sur); Arroyo (Camrines Sur); Villafuerte
(Camarines Sur); Fuentebella (Camarines Sur); Bravo (Masbate);
Kho

(Masbate);

Seachon

Lanete

(Masbate);

and

Escudero

III

(Sorsogon); Region VI: Reps. Javier (Antique); Castro (Capiz);

Nava (Guimaras); Garin (Iloilo); Syjuco (Iloilo); Defensor Jr

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

13

(Iloilo); Tupas Jr. (Iloilo); Ledesma IV (Negros Occidental);

Mafranon (Negros Occidental); Arroyo (Negros Occidental); and
Alvarez (Negros Occidental); Region VII: Reps. Garcia (Cebu);
Durano I (Cebu); Del Mar (Cebu City); Osmena (Cebu City); Teves
(Negros Oriental); and Fua (Siquijor); Region VIII: Reps. Espina
(Biliran); Romualdez (Leyte); Apostol (Leyte); Cari (Leyte); Daza
(Northern

Samar);

Tan

(Western

Samar);

and

Mercado

(Southern

Leyte); Region IX: Reps. Seth and Cesar Jalosjos (Zamboanga del
Norte); Cerilles (Zamboanga del Sur); Climaco (Zamboanga City);
and Jalosjos Jr. (Zamboanga Sibugay); Region X: Reps. Zubiri III
(Bukidnon); Romualdo (Camiguin); Imelda and Fatima Alia Dimaporo
(Lanao del Norte); and Emano (Misamis Oriental); Region XI: Reps.
Amatong

(Compostela

Valley);

Almario

(Davao

Oriental);

Del

Rosario (Davao del Norte); Lagdameo (Davao del Norte); Cagas

(Davao del Sur); Nograles (Davao City); and Garcia (Davao City);
Region

XIII:

(Agusan

del

(Dinagat

Caraga:
Sur);

Reps.

Island);

Pichay
ARMM:

Amante
(Surigao

Reps.

(Agusan
del

del

Sur);

Hataman-Saliman

NOrte);
and

Plaza

Ecleo

Jr.

(Basilan)

and

(Lanao del Sur) (2010)."

There are a lot of political families in the national
government

such

as

the

Binays,

Aquinos,

Arroyos,

Marcoses,

Ejercitos, Cayetanos, and others.

The statements show lists of the many politicians involved
in political dynasties. The fact that there are numerous people

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

involved

in

political

dynasties

14

can

mean

that

the

situation

regarding the prevention of political dynasties; especially in

the local government may really get out of hand.

Political Dynasties Exist Even Though They are Unconstitutional

Political Dynasty is unconstitutional because under the
Philippine constitution at Art. II, Sec. 26, it is stated that
The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for
public services, and prohibit political dynasty as ma be defined
by law (De Leon, 2008, p.110).
The statement mentioned means that truly political dynasty
is a crime. But obviously it still exists here in the Philippines
because political dynasties have no definite definition in our
constitution (as stated by Cruz, 2007) so how it would be stop by
our

government.

The

implementation

of

prohibiting

political

dynasties is a must to have an equal opportunity to every people

of the country in the positions in our government. According to
the constitution, every position in the government has a limited
term to every individual who had been in that position like the
local government officials; they are limited only for three terms
of being re-elected to a position etc.
Many bills and laws are passed to define political dynasty
in order to prohibit building political dynasties here in our
country but the very problem of this bills and laws are the

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

15

government officials who is indeed will pass this bills and laws
because they are also the people who are guilty of building such
political dynasties here in our country (A. Donato, personal
communication, October 28, 2010).
In the statement above, we could completely say that in
order to eliminate political dynasty here in our country, we must
firstly eliminate those person in the government who are guilt of
building such as dynasties, then it will enable to pass those
laws and bills that defines and prohibits political dynasties.
Lastly as a government official, they must follow in what our
constitutions

tells

about

their

limitations

and

all

the

prohibited acts that will surely make them honest and trustworthy
officials.
A. Donato said, "Political dynasties are weakening our
democratic form of government because these dynasties deprive
independent candidates; who can be more capable and deserving; in
equal opportunity of aiming for a position in the government
(personal communication, October 28, 2010)."
The statement said that the existence of political
dynasties in our country weakens our government. Why you may ask?
Its because these dynasties deprive the sense of "fairness" in
people

running

for

office

during

elections,

especially

independent candidates. The chance to gain a position in the

government should be equal, but with families monopolizing the

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

different

positions

in

the

16

government,

these

independent

candidates may never get the opportunity to serve their country.

"The situation has worsened. They have even exploited the
Party-List election (Ocampo, 2010)."
This statement shows that the abuse of people involved in
political

dynasties

has

increased,

that

dynasties

are

also

forming among political party-lists. What was once affecting few

places in the local government now has escalated to the national
government. The government must find a way to stop these before
families completely dominate Philippine politics.
"The phenomenon of Political Dynasties shows the absence
of any real competition in politics, Because of the cop sided
economic structure of inequality which allows only a few to
monopolize wealth and power (Simbulan, 2007)."
The power of political dynasties can make the competition
in the election unfair. It is because of different political
families which are involved in the government. They want to get
their wealth and power to their political family, but mostly to
have power for them not to be replaced in their position.
"After winning their desired position in the government,
they can affect favorable laws which is not only giving them
power and money, but also the protection in order for them to be
secured in their position (Simbulan, 2007)."

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

17

Many candidates are ruled by the abuse of having the power

of their position. Once they have their desired position, they
never want to be replaced in the position they stand at. For them
say in their position, they will change some laws that favor them
and not only will give them money and power, but also will make
them secured in the position they have.

Power of the Political Families Overwhelming Others

"The

constitution

indirectly

encourages

political

dynasties. A forcibly retired official arranges for a family

member, or a mistress to occupy his position for one term, after
which he is qualified to run again for office. The substitute is
usually a puppet for the retired family member (Cruz, 2007)."
An official with a position (for example a mayor) in the
government will forcibly be retired in his/her position for one
term. But, by the law of Constitution, he may use one of his
family member, may it be a mistress or son/daughter, to run for
the position he was retired at. He or She will serve as a
substitute of the retired family member. Then after the time of
the substitute family member expires as mayor, it will be the
time for the retired family member to run again for the desired
position in the government. This loophole in the Constitution is
one that must be mended, because this is one way that people
involved in political dynasties can escape in their offense.

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

18

Every official in the government must have equal access to

political opportunities by the power of the provisions limiting
the terms of office of elective officials. In order to prohibit
political dynasty so that no one could use their powers as a
government

official

in

spawning

evil

in

our

government

(The

Philippine Constitution) (De Leon, 2008, p.111)

The statement above is somewhat a way to prevent the
occurrence of political dynasties, but the question is, is it
being

implemented?

The

occurrence

or

prevention

of

political

dynasties still rests on the hands of the people in office,

because they are the ones who will decide whether or not they
will implement ways to prevent abuse of power and formation of
political families.

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

19

Conclusion

The researchers found out that the political dynasty is a

succession of political positions to people belonging to the same
family. They maintain their power, influence or authority over
the course of generations.
Also, the political dynasty is one of the many problems of
our government. It promotes graft and corruption, because of the
family members turning a blind eye to each other's mistakes and
crimes.
After conducting this study, the researchers were able to
determine the different families that have political dynasties in
their constituents. The research showed that every region in the
Philippines has political dynasties.
Political dynasty is a hindrance for the success of our
country. These dynasties must be slowly removed so that the true
meaning of democracy will prevail and other candidates will feel
secured

in

terms

of

the

quality

of

elections

within

our

territory.
The researchers conclude that political dynasties do exist even
though it is unconstitutional because of the different reasons like to
have the power for personal purposes. It also exists because of the
money

and

connection

of

the

political

families

to

control

some

government officials in creating dynasties. Last but not the least is

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

20

the lack of bills and laws that may define and prohibit such as
political dynasties because the members of the government that have
the power to pass bills and laws are the one who is in such acts like
this.
The researchers suggest that to prohibit political dynasties;
the government must first define the conditions to consider saying
that this act is a way to create a political dynasty. Then they must
get rid of political officials who doing this act that will enable
them to pass the laws and bills that prohibits political dynasties
here in the Philippines.
The researchers have shown that the local government is one of
the most affected areas of political dynasties. The political families
have the ability to control the economy, the people, and also the
elections because of their excessive abuse of power, and with this
power they fill almost every position in the local government.
With abusive power, political dynasties can also control
the

people

of

locality

by

threatening

them

by

using

old-

fashioned methods; violence, and illegal activities for example.

This will affect the peoples freedom and rights, because they
can be killed anytime by the private armies of these political
dynasties without anyone knowing, so people will be scared and be
afraid to talk.
The research conducted also shows that political dynasties
have

effects

on

independent

candidates;

and

that

political

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

21

families with the desire to stay in position are using their

power

and

influence

independent

in

candidates

order
who

to

also

do
want

as
to

they
serve

please.

These

their

local

compatriots are not given the opportunity, because they cannot

claim a position because of these political dynasties.
With this abuse of power of many political families, the
sense

of

people,

our

country's

especially

the

democracy

is

independent

really

not

candidates

felt

by

running

the
for

elections. Everybody should have the equal opportunity to have a

chance in having a position in the government, so that other
members of the community, especially the people more capable, can
have a chance in serving the people.
In this study, it shows that power is the political
dynasties' aim so that they can have superiority to others. They
also want personal gain and they are able to maintain their
position by using their money and influence.

Reference List

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

22

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

APPENDICES

23

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

APPENDIX A
(Group Schedule)

24

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

25

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

APPENDIX B
(Group Checklist)

26

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

27

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

28

APPENDIX C
(Interview Questions)

Interview Questions
1. How's your day so far sir/ma'am?
2. What's your understanding regarding political dynasty?

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

29

3. Do you know some families that has political dynasty?

4. Why do you think political dynasty exist even though it
is unconstitutional?
5. What do you think are the problems that it may cost in
their constituents?
6. How

does

this

affect

the

independent

candidates

in

running for local elections?

7. What

are

the

disadvantages

in

having

political

dynasties in the government?

8. What

do

you

think

are

the

effects

of

political

dynasties in implementing laws?

9. Do

political

dynasties

strengthen

or

weaken

the

democratic form of government? Why or why not?

10.
the

What do you think are the possible actions that

government

must

political dynasties?

do

in

order

to

remove

this

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

APPENDIX D
(Interview Transcript)

Interview Transcript
Introduction
Ronn Santos: Good afternoon everyone. We are group nine.

30

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

31

Raymond Rozario: We are about to conduct an interview for our

research.
Eddie

Vallejos:

Entitled

about

the

causes

and

impacts

of

political dynasty on the political sphere of the Philippines.

Weber Ruiz: the interviewee is Professor Anabelle Donato from
S.L.H.S. department.
ReynanRozul:Graduate of political science in the University of
Sto. Tomas
Group 9: And now, for the interview proper.

Interview proper
Weber Ruiz: Good afternoon mam. Hows your day so far?
Professor Donato: Im fine, how about you?
Weber

Ruiz:

Im

ok.

Uhm..to

start

it

off,uhm..what

is

your

understanding regarding political dynasty?

Professor Donato: Political dynasty has not been strictly defined
in our laws but, it is commonly or traditionally known as,uhm...a
group or a family exercising the power in a certain locality to
the point of being typical warlords in that particular localities
so even though it has not been defined in our laws, that is the
common understanding between this term political dynasty.
Eddie Vallejos: So the second question, do you know some families
that has political dynasty in the country?
(Construction Noise)

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

32

(People chatting)
Professor Donato: I dont personally know anybody but, there are
popular political dynasties in our country. Say for example, the
Dy

dynasty

of

Isabela?,Joson

of

Nueva

Ejica,uhm..Marcoses

of

Ilocos.So, these are some popular political dynasties who were

able to perpetuatetheir family to help the government operate.
ReynanRozul: What do you think are the problems that it may cause
in their constituents?
Professor Donato: The problemits this families abusing their
power in the locality. But if theyre really doing their job,
their family really dedicated to public service, thenI dont
think there will be a problem. The problem will lie now in
providing equal access to the opportunities for public service to
other people. Say for example, in yourlocality there are new
blood or there are people who also wants to serve the public but
since you family is dominating the politics, youre appointing
all of the members of your family to the different positions in
the government. In that case, that might cause the locality to
lose uhh..a very concerned leader uhh.. a good leader because
they

will

not

allow

him

to

serve

publicly

because

they

are

dominating the politics.

ReynanRozul:

Mam

you

have

said

one

effect

on

independent candidates, can you cite other effects?

the

local

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

33

Professor Donato: No I mean if they will not be able.. this

independent

candidates

will

not

be

able

to

infiltrate

the

politics, it will also be the laws of the people because this

independent leader might prove himself to be a good leader or
will be the law of the constituents because we cannot survive the
service that he wants to give because he was not given the chance
to serve this people.
Ronn Santos: Hello mam.
Professor Donato: Hi
Ronn

Santos:

What

are

the

disadvantages

in

having

political

dynasty in our government?

Professor Donato: Well..like what Ive mentioned earlier, one
disadvantage will be, we were depriving of the people of uhh..new
blood

or

new

set

of

leaders.

Meaning,

uhm..people

who

will

introduce new ideas, new policies which might be good for our
country. So in that case, if we will allow the political dynasty
to

continue,

representatives.

we

are

And..aside

depriving
from

the

that,

it

people
can

of

also

these
lead

to

nepotism. Meaning, this political..this family, of course, will

appoint those people who are also member of their family.
Ronn Santos: My next question is, what do you think are the
effects of political dynasties in implementing laws?
Professor Donato:Uhm.implementing the laws? Uhm.. Meaning the
locality have political dynasty?

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

34

Ronn Santos: uhh..Yes

Professor

Donato:

So

think

there

could

be

some.theyre

probably created a culture where we are promoting graft and

corruption. Why? Because in the implementation of this laws,
since nobody can check whether these people are doing what the
mandate

of

their

constituent,

because

they

are

all

family

members, they tend to overlook the mistakes of each other. So in

that case, I think that might lead to the circumvention of the
law or probably the graft and corruption? Is that what youre
asking regarding the implementation? So yea that is promoting
those kinds of things to happen because this people are members
of one family. So instead of checking each other, they might
condole each other if they will commit mistakes.
Ronn Santos: Thankyou mam.
Raymond Rozario: Hi mam.
Professor Donato: Hi.
Raymond Rozario: Do political dynasty strengthen or weaken the
democratic form of the government? Why or why not?
Professor Donato: I think in a way it weakens the democratic form
of our government because by allowing these political dynasties
to remain in our country, we are being undemocratic to other
people who also want to serve the public. So isnt democracy a
concept

where

everybody

can..should

be

allowed

to

serve

the

people, to speak their mind. So in this case, we are trying

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

35

to..allow..we are allowing this people to build a dictatorship

of their own, with them being the leader. So we are allowing them
to monopolize the system. So that is anatima or its antagonistic
to the concept of democracy.
Raymond Rozario:So, for our final question, what do you think are
possible actions that the government must do in order to remove
this political dynasties?
Professor Donato: Well to remove these political dynasties, the
government must pass a law which will disallow these political
dynasties to continue. Because what I have mentioned earlier, in
our constitution, what is provided is a general law; it is not
self-executor y.

Those provisions under section 2..ah..article 2

rather

self-executing,

are

executing.
political

not
One

of

dynasty.

jurisdiction,

there

this
So

is

the

before

has

to

most
law

it
be

of
or

can

them
the

be

enabling

are

not

self-

provision

on

the

implemented

in

our

law

by

the

passed

congress. So in order to eliminate political dynasty, this bill,

this pending bill in the congress regarding political dynasty,
defining political dynasties, must be passed and afterwards they
should provide sanctions and they should make sure that this law
against political dynasties will be properly ---. So the first
thing

that

they

need

to

do

is

to

define

what

is

political

dynasty. Meaning, they should provide a clear definition of what

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

36

will fall under this category of political dynasty and implement

the law -----. (Construction Noise)
Raymond Rozario: So thats it. Thank you mam for giving us some
infor giving us some information about political dynasty.
Professor Donato: Ok,no problem.
END
Cutted part of the interview
Eddie Vallejos: So, why do you think political dynasty exist even
though it is unconstitutional?
(Construction Noise)
(People chatting)
Professor

Donato:

Because

theres

First,

theres

no

law

prohibiting political dynasties, meaning, it should be provided

in

our

constitution.

declarations

can

But

become

under

article

self-executing,

2,

there

before
needs

those
to

be

enabling law passed by the congress. And as of present, that law

is still pending in congress. And the problem is, this people who
are in congress, they are the very people guilty of political
dynasty so why will they pass a law which will be contrary to
---- right? So if that case, even though this political dynasty
exist since theres no sanction or punishment or

---- political

dynasty ----- it will not stop so long as this fact still not be
punished by our laws.

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

APPENDIX E
(Documentation)

37

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

38

The group (From the left: Vallejos, Rozul, Rozario, Ruiz, Santos)
introducing their interviewee, Professor Donato

A member of the group, John Weber Ruiz getting ready for his turn
in the interview

Causes, Impacts of Political Dynasty

39

Group secretary Reynan Rozul checking the interview questions

Group member Ronn Santos, and Professor Donato, having their

conversation during the interview