Political Dynasties’ Entrenchment in the Philippines
- DAZEL DAYRIT
- Dec 16, 2023
- 6 min read
Can a single family's grip on political power truly serve the diverse interests and needs of an entire nation?
If so, are political dynasties in the Philippines an inevitable outcome of democratic governance, or do they represent a fundamental flaw in the country's political fabric?
This pressing question has loomed large in the minds of scholars and policymakers grappling with the complexities of power dynamics in the archipelago. According to Mendoza et al. (2013), the term “political dynasty” encapsulates the persistent phenomenon where members of the same family consecutively hold elected positions, perpetuating a system of concentrated power and influence. As we ponder this definition, it becomes increasingly evident that the Philippines' struggle with political dynasties raises fundamental questions about the health of its democracy and the potential for meaningful representation. In a nation where a few families dominate the political landscape, the need for critical analysis and reform becomes not just a choice, but a moral imperative.
Tadem & Tadem (2016) carefully explored the roots and key features of political dynasties in the Philippines. The authors' probed into why political dynasties continue to exist and cause problems in the country. Subsequently, their main arguments are that political dynasties are resilient because they have deep connections to politics and money; the rules in the constitution that are crafted to control them are not properly enforced; and lastly, there are no strong opposing forces to challenge them. That said, this essay aligns with the assertions presented in this article as the article convincingly argues that the resilience of political dynasties is deeply entrenched in multifaceted factors. Moreover, this essay argues that the enduring presence of these political dynasties has posed detrimental effects for the country.
The concept of a "Carnegie effect," as inspired by Andrew Carnegie's decision to give his wealth to non-family members, offers a thought-provoking perspective on the negative consequences of political dynasties (Bloom & Sadun, 2011). Carnegie's argument, that inheriting wealth might diminish an individual's incentive to work hard, finds parallels in the realm of dynastic politicians. These politicians enjoy a significant head start in their political careers, benefiting from factors such as name recognition and the inherent advantages of incumbency, which can deter them from making the rigorous efforts required for genuine representation. Moreover, the reliance on dynastic connections, rather than bureaucratic or academic competence, often results in dynastic politicians having lower educational attainment, raising concerns about their capacity to make informed decisions (Daniele & Geys, 2014).
The notion that Philippine political dynasties exploit their political dominance to amass wealth is substantiated by ample evidence. The entanglement of political power and economic interests within dynastic families creates conflicts of interest that undermine fair governance. These dynasties often wield substantial economic influence in their respective regions, leading to overrepresentation of their interests and the subversion of the broader public good. Methods such as graft and bribery are used to further their agendas, perpetuating a cycle of self-enrichment at the expense of genuine public welfare.
As per Garces et al. (2021), political dynasties have been associated with limitations on political competition and are believed to exacerbate issues such as corruption, poverty, and abuse of power. These concerns arise from the concentration of authority within a single family, potentially undermining transparency and accountability. However, the relationship between political dynasties and economic performance is nuanced. Their research indicates that the impact is generally weak, suggesting that the mere presence of dynastic politicians in positions of power does not guarantee a uniformly negative effect on economic performance. Yet, their findings highlight a critical aspect: when the mayor, governor, and congressman in a municipality all belong to the same political clan and exert significant control over economic expenditures, it leads to a detrimental effect on economic development. This connection between dynasties and reduced economic performance is an indicator of weakened institutional checks and balances in these localities.
The 2022 Philippine presidential election witnessed the resurgence of political dynasties, exemplified by the Marcos and Duterte families. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s victory marked the return of the Marcos family to power, with key family members occupying prominent positions. Similarly, the Duterte family's influence expanded, with Rodrigo Duterte's daughter elected as vice president and other family members securing key roles. The Senate also became dominated by political dynasties, raising questions about democratic representation. These dynasties extended their reach into congressional and local government positions, largely due to their financial resources and political machinery. Moreover, they captured the party-list system, further solidifying their power. (Palatino, 2022).
"For this election cycle, the 120 party-list groups flagged out of 177 represent almost 70 percent." - Kontra Daya on flagged partylist groups in the 2022 elections
This resurgence of political dynasties in the 2022 Philippine election is a cause for concern. It reflects a persistent issue in the country's political landscape, where power and influence are concentrated in a few elite families. This concentration of power can undermine the principles of democracy, as it limits opportunities for new voices and ideas to enter politics. The dominance of dynasties raises questions about accountability, transparency, and the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. Furthermore, the capture of the party-list system by political dynasties is particularly troubling, as it was designed to provide representation to marginalized sectors. When traditional politicians exploit this system, it subverts its original purpose and reinforces the grip of established political families.
The persistence of political dynasties in Philippine politics poses a significant challenge to the country's democratic development. While acknowledging that not all political dynasties are inherently negative as according to Mancur Olson's theory of political governance (Rosser, 2007), also known as the "Roving Bandits vs. Stationary Bandits" theory, members of political dynasties are inclined to pursue developmental strategies that have long-term benefits in contrast to non-dynastic politicians whom may have less motivation to prioritize long-term development due to the constraints of their limited term in office; the historical dominance of a select few families has still left a traumatic legacy.
The framers of the 1987 Constitution sought to address this issue by including a provision banning political dynasties through an enabling law. However, the failure to pass such legislation underscores a fundamental obstacle: many legislators themselves belong to these dynasties, making reform difficult to achieve. Additionally, term limits were introduced to curtail dynastic power and encourage greater citizen participation in politics. The intention was to prevent extended incumbency and foster opportunities for new voices in public office. Unfortunately, term limits have often resulted in a mere reshuffling of power within the same family, perpetuating the concentration of political influence among elite families.
These challenges underscore the deeply entrenched nature of political dynasties and the resistance to change within the political establishment. It is not solely a matter of good or bad dynasties; the system itself is the problem. To move towards a more democratic and inclusive political landscape, the Philippines needs comprehensive reforms. These reforms should address the root causes of dynastic dominance, such as campaign finance, political party structure, and electoral party system, which may inadvertently favor entrenched political families, and the structure of political parties that can be manipulated to serve dynastic interests. Furthermore, empowering civil society becomes paramount in advocating for change and holding politicians accountable. By nurturing an informed and engaged citizenry, we lay the foundation for a democracy that is resilient and resistant to the pitfalls of dynastic rule.
However, despite numerous reform plans proposed over the years, the problem still persists which suggests that institutional measures alone have not been entirely effective. Therefore, it suffice to say that the path to dismantling political dynasties requires not just structural changes but a collective shift in mindset. It demands a society that actively rejects the notion of political entitlement based on lineage and embraces a vision where every citizen has an equal stake in shaping the nation's destiny.
The citizens should learn reject the fallacy that serving the people is a birthright confined to a select few. The idea that public service is ingrained in the blood of a privileged minority is not only misleading but antithetical to the principles of a true democracy. True public service, as a commitment to the welfare of the nation, is a responsibility that belongs to every citizen, not just those fortunate enough to be born into political legacies.
References:
Bloom, N., Reneen, J. V., Sadun, R. (2011). "Family Firms Need Professional Management". Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2011/03/family-firms-need-professional
Daniele, G., & Geys, B. (2014). Born in the Purple: Political Dynasties and Politicians' Human Capital. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Born-in-the-Purple%3A-Political-Dynasties-and-Human-*-Daniele-Geys/17368c1dfb4aa8c719aa72b04aa32036b78ee903
Garces, L., Jandoc, K., & Lu, M. G. (2021). Political Dynasties and Economic Development: Evidence using Nighttime Light in the Philippines. Philippine Political Science Journal, 41(3), 215-261. https://doi.org/10.1163/2165025X-BJA10010
Mendoza, Ronald & Beja Jr, Edsel & Venida, Victor & Yap, David, 2013. "Political dynasties and poverty: Resolving the “chicken or the egg” question," MPRA Paper 48380, University Library of Munich, Germany. https://ideas.repec.org/p/pra/mprapa/48380.html
Palatino, M. (2022). Political Dynasties Dominate Philippines Election — Again. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2022/05/political-dynasties-dominate-philippines-election-again/
Rosser, J. B. (2007). The Rise and Decline of Mancur Olson’s View of “The Rise and Decline of Nations.” Southern Economic Journal, 74(1), 4–17. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20111949
Tadem, T. S. E., & Tadem, E. C. (2016). Political dynasties in the Philippines: Persistent patterns, perennial problems. South East Asia Research, 24(3), 328-340.
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