Political Dynasties in the Philippines
False Democracy: Political Dynasty
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines dynasty as a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time. In the Philippines, according to a research by the Center for People Empowerment and Governance, we have about 250 political families who have dominated Philippine politics at the national and local level. This is 0.00001667 % of the country's 15 million families (CENPEG, 2007). They comprise a little, among the represented Filipinos in the country, whom majority are not as elite and as wealthy as they are, and whose interests and needs are not the same as theirs. Roland G. Simbulan, a notable political scientist of the University of the Philippines, says: “Political dynasties distort governance, and make a sham of democratic governance. Through these, public office becomes an exclusive family franchise, and a provider of more benefits to family interests” (20). Political dynasties in the country should be banned for it does not benefit the people and the state; it only benefits those in power. They shut opportunities and hinder true services by the more deserving leaders who are not fortunate to win against these ruling families in the elections. This violates Sec. 26 Art. II of the 1987 Constitution which states: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” Unfortunately, no law supports this yet. Since 1987, a lot of legislators have tried to pass a law to abolish political dynasties but have failed. This is mainly because most lawmakers come from political dynasties. Thus Simbulan is right when he said that, “Wealthy and powerful families have dominated politics in the Philippines, concentrating power to the elite families, promoting corruption and abuse of power” (7).
Many people would still choose to favor to political dynasty. As for many, political dynasty seems a very common practice from the highest to
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines dynasty as a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time. In the Philippines, according to a research by the Center for People Empowerment and Governance, we have about 250 political families who have dominated Philippine politics at the national and local level. This is 0.00001667 % of the country's 15 million families (CENPEG, 2007). They comprise a little, among the represented Filipinos in the country, whom majority are not as elite and as wealthy as they are, and whose interests and needs are not the same as theirs. Roland G. Simbulan, a notable political scientist of the University of the Philippines, says: “Political dynasties distort governance, and make a sham of democratic governance. Through these, public office becomes an exclusive family franchise, and a provider of more benefits to family interests” (20). Political dynasties in the country should be banned for it does not benefit the people and the state; it only benefits those in power. They shut opportunities and hinder true services by the more deserving leaders who are not fortunate to win against these ruling families in the elections. This violates Sec. 26 Art. II of the 1987 Constitution which states: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” Unfortunately, no law supports this yet. Since 1987, a lot of legislators have tried to pass a law to abolish political dynasties but have failed. This is mainly because most lawmakers come from political dynasties. Thus Simbulan is right when he said that, “Wealthy and powerful families have dominated politics in the Philippines, concentrating power to the elite families, promoting corruption and abuse of power” (7).
Many people would still choose to favor to political dynasty. As for many, political dynasty seems a very common practice from the highest to
Cited: Tuazon. Bobby. CenPEG Issue Analysis Issue Analysis No.8 series of 2012. Policy Study, Publication, and Advocacy (PSPA). 15 January 2013 <http:// www.cenpeg.org/2012/ issue_analysis/2012/Political_Clans_in_2013.html> Political Dynasties. 9 January 2013. Wikipedia. 15 January 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_dynasties_in_the_Philippines> Political Dynasties in Mindanao. 23 October 2007. Yonip.com. 24 December 2012 < http://www.yonip.com/archives/misc/misc-00043.html> Bernas, Joaquin S.J. Political Dynasties. 29 October 2012. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 17 January 2013. http://www.opinion.inquire.net/39638/politicaldynasties Hacienda Luisita. 18 January 2013. Wikipedia. 20 January 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hacienda_Luisita#Criticism> Hegemony. 22 January 2013. Wikipedia. 22 January 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegemony> Panganiban, Artemio V. 24 November 2012. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 24 December 2012 <http://opinion.inquirer.net/41421/options-to-stop-political-dynasties>