B5 – DIVINAFLOR, Andre

B13 – MARASIGAN, John Denver

G2 – BALUYOT, Bianca Yzabelle

G14 – NICOL, Alexis L.

G15 – OLSEM, Ailah Cresh

10-St. Scholastica

OBJECTIVE: To make the readers acknowledge our stand which is to abolish political dynasties

here in the Philippines.

POLITICAL DYNASTY: A cultural heritage or a curse?

Political Dynasty is known to be the succession of political power by individuals belonging

from the same heritage known to be a thin dynasty or, multiple members of the same family

occupying different positions in the government at the same time that’s known as a fat dynasty. In

Renato Constantino’s book entitled “The Making of a Filipino”, he stated that political dynasty

started during the Spanish Colonial Period when Principalia and Illustrados were introduced. They

by that time hold government positions from the lowest as the Cabeza de barangay up until the

alcalde mayor. The then Spanish government appointed wealthy landowners, which whom the

majority of them are former datus and rajas or their descendants. When the first republic of the

Philippines was established, several political dynasties have emerged. Osmeña, Laurel, and

Macapagals are some. A lot of political families also rose to the spotlight after the EDSA
revolution during the time of the late President Cory Aquino. Since then, political families have

ruled the Philippines up until now.

The Philippines has since been known as the World Capital of Political Dynasty with over 178

dominant political families nationwide. 74% of our representatives belong to a political family and

80% of the senators’ population is from a political dynasty.

After a series of thorough research and deep understanding, my group and I strongly believe that

Political Dynasty shall be abolished. For decades, the Filipinos have seen and witnessed how the

presence of such contributes to several problems such as violence, family feuds, poverty,

corruption and affect our country’s democracy.

According to the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article 2 Section 26 states that “The state

shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and PROHIBIT political dynasties

as may be defined by the law”. It has already been 31 years since this was implemented yet our

lawmakers have failed to comply with this constitutional duty. As an effect, it contributes to the

national problems we’re facing that as it follows:

Political Dynasties results to violence and it sometimes causes to issues with the family involved.

Since time immemorial, The Filipinos have witnessed the violence in our government, especially

during elections. The rivalries between the candidates and even between their family members

have caused immorality, injustices and unfortunately, deaths. Politicians have come to an extent

of killing their opponents or worse, even family members for them to acquire the position they’re

running to. To state examples, in 2011, the world has witnessed the shocking Maguindanao

Massacre, the product of the rivalry between the Ampatuans and Mangundadatu that caused 58
deaths, and severe trauma to the survivors. In the province of Masbate too, four congressmen have

been killed from 1989 to 2005, all of which belongs in a political family. On the other hand, in the

province of Camarines Sur, the Villafuerte family feud has been going on since the 2000s. The

issue between Luis Villafuerte Sr, the family's patriarch between his son, Luis Villafuerte Jr.

Started when Luis Jr assumed his father's former position, the province's governor, then fired all

his father's staff and as a termed used by Luis Sr. "the people who helped me while I was still in

the position". Their feud has now been going on for 18 years now, and yet there's still no

improvement. Lastly, the violence of the Arcenas family in Capiz. In 2013, the haunting news

circulated the whole nation when Manuel Arcenas, the then outgoing barangay captain reportedly

shot his siblings dead, Ramon Arcenas, Jenifer Nuyles, and Evelyn Espinar after her daughter lost

in the position she's running for.

"Political Dynasty breeds generations of cheaters and manipulators, corrupt politicians,

mediocre executives, bribe takers and absenteeism in Congress" Center for People Empowerment

in Governance said. Political Dynasties have been ruling the Philippines and it is easy to conclude

that they are making a business out of it. Corruption and poverty are evident in a dynastic-ruling

place. A province led by a political dynasty, specifically fat dynasty, tends to be the poorest

provinces in the country. A research conducted by Ateneo de Manila School of Government led

by Dean Ronald Mendoza and Asian Institute Management Policy Center justifies that a province

led by fat dynasty tends to be poor. To prove, the province of Western Samar, governed by the

Tans, now has 44% poverty rate by 2012 from their 32% in 2006. The province of Camiguin also

faces the same situation. The Romualdo clan who rules the province for over three decades shows

a drastic increase in their poverty rate. From 31% in 2006 to 41% in 2012. Lastly, a family, the
Buluts, has controlled Apayao ever since the province was created in 1995. The gubernatorial and

congressional positions there have been dominated by the same family for two consecutive

decades. In Apayao, where the governor, district representative, and five of its seven mayors

belong to political dynasties, government statistics show that the province grew poorer by almost

five thousand families in 2012 compared to 2006, leading to the current situation where half of the

families in the province are considered poor. Moreover, research conducted by Asian Institute

Management Political Science Center found that dynastic politicians are wealthier by an average

of 10 million compared to non-dynastic politicians. To prove, in the legislative branch, Senator JV

Ejercito ranks ninth richest senator with a net worth of approximately 79 million pesos considering

that He is part of the Ejercito Political Family while Senator Joel Villanueva, a non-dynastic

politician has a net worth of approximately 24 million pesos. These were all based on their

Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) issued earlier this year, respectively.

Furthermore, having dynasties rule our government is more prone to nepotism, a type of corruption

made in favor of a relative of the appointing authority. To name a few, in 2017, a complaint was

filed against the ex-Bulacan mayor, Romeo Estrella after appointing his niece in one of the

positions in the municipal government. Also, Mayor Aljerico S. Barrasco was filed the same

complaint after appointing the common-law wife of his brother.

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno once stated: “Political Dynasty is a mockery to

democracy”. The presence of Political Dynasty in our country results to the weakening of our

democracy. According to Dr. Nicole Curato an award-winning Filipino Sociologist: One of the

main promises of representative democracy is its commitment to future redistribution of material

wealth and political power that was accumulated through historic injustices. What’s wrong with
political dynasties is that instead of working towards the creation of equitable political structures,

they have further strengthened the barriers to political inclusion of traditionally disenfranchised

citizens such as peasants, workers, indigenous and other minority groups.” According also to Julio

Teehankee, an author and a political science professor in De La Salle University, Continuing clan

dominance is a product of the seemingly immutable and unequal socioeconomic structure, as well

as the failure to develop a truly democratic electoral and party system which results to patronage,

corruption, violence and fraud, and a vicious cycle that has prevented the base of aspirants and

candidates from expanding. Political Dynasties limit the choices of the voters who to elect and in

the end, results in voting them because of the indulgence or favor that they’ve done. Moreover,

because of their family name that serves as their ‘brand’ in the politics and the ‘legacy’ that their

forefathers had done in the past, it is quite obvious that they have a greater advantage in winning

rather than a politician coming from a non-dynastic family. Coming from a dynastic family gives

you privileges and advantages that shouldn’t be there rather than promoting an equal competition.

And if ever these candidates from dynastic families win, it results in a monopoly of political power

inside a democracy which is clearly against the constitution. On the other hand, the anti-dynasty

bill describes political dynasties as an “anathema in a democracy” because a dynastic family has

total power of the military, public funds, military and illegal activities (such as illegal gambling &

smuggling) in one particular place making dynasties invulnerable and constitute an open defiance

of our constitution, thus blatantly undermining the rule of law.

Finally, if the Philippine government will abolish political dynasties, it will result in a more

responsible electorate. Take it for an instance, if the election would be composed of candidates

with no family background in politics then definitely the voters which is the public would develop
a more responsible attitude by means of searching for the candidate’s background, his educational

attainment and his credentials rather than just voting for the surname that’s common and is widely

known. If the Philippines is given the chance to create a culture of responsible voters then

definitely, the quality of Philippine nationalism will improve by increasing the level of political

participation.

However, there are people who think that politicians from a political dynastic family are

efficient. With this matter, we believe that growing up in an environment of officials won’t

guarantee a competent leader automatically. You cannot say you have the knowledge in running a

place just because your parents did at some point in their lives. It takes great wisdom, passion, a

heart for service, experience and honesty to be called an efficient leader, and the reason that you

grew up in a political family is weak and it is not enough. Lastly, dynastic families insist that

political dynasty provides a continued plan for projects that are long-term based which results in

growth. If that is so, why is there no economic growth in the provinces with fat dynasties? Why

do poverty, unemployment, and corruption are present in these provinces rather than growth,

employment, and peace? Let’s take for an example the province of Maguindanao. The

Magundadatu clan rules Maguindanao for 20 years now and yet the province remains to be poor

and underdeveloped with a poverty rate of 48.8% in 2015 recorded by PSA.

To conclude, Political Dynasty shall be abolished because it results in corruption, family

feuds, poverty and affects our country’s democracy. In order for the Philippines to spread its wings

and truly fly we must eradicate one of the major reasons that hinder its growth and further

development. We must end Political Dynasty now. As the next generation of this nation, we seek

change in the nature of our government. We must not just settle for what we’ve been used to but
instead, we must stand and fight for what we think is right and will benefit the majority. Let us all

remember that as the people of this country, the future lies in our hands. The power for reform is

in our hands. Lastly, let us all bear in mind that Politics is for people who have passion in

improving lives not making it even worse.