Political Parties
Good morning ladies and gentlemen. "Let it be resolved that political dynasties be banned in the Philippines"
Political dynasties are the building blocks of Philippine politics. Major political parties such as the ruling Liberal Party, United Nationalist Alliance and Nacionalista Party merely exist through alliances forged among powerful political families.
Party leaders and candidates for public office are recruited not through a rigid process of selection within political parties but through traditional kinship networks. But patronage does not fully explain the problem. In the Philippines, political clans even go as far as using private armies to intimidate or grievously cripple rival dynasties.
In the Philippines, powerful political families have access to mammoth political machines and government resources, giving them the upper hand in local and national polls.
We live in a nation where political pedigree is a needed political asset, Filipinos tend to vote for ‘trusted brands’ — scions of well-known families. Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s clan, for example, has already produced two presidents and five senators since 1928.
The continuation of political dynasties can weaken the quality of democracy and economic development. This political phenomenon in the country has in fact engendered inequality which tend to let the cycle of poverty of our people continue.
The Philippines is famous for its wealthy families that dominate local and national politics. Among the hopefuls from prominent families running for Senate seats in the coming mid-term elections are the son of the current Senate president and the brothers of two serving senators.
Political dynasties are here to stay whether you like it or not, unless, of course, if YOU make a choice. Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits the existence of political dynasties but because majority of the lawmakers are either scions or kingpins of a political
Political dynasties are the building blocks of Philippine politics. Major political parties such as the ruling Liberal Party, United Nationalist Alliance and Nacionalista Party merely exist through alliances forged among powerful political families.
Party leaders and candidates for public office are recruited not through a rigid process of selection within political parties but through traditional kinship networks. But patronage does not fully explain the problem. In the Philippines, political clans even go as far as using private armies to intimidate or grievously cripple rival dynasties.
In the Philippines, powerful political families have access to mammoth political machines and government resources, giving them the upper hand in local and national polls.
We live in a nation where political pedigree is a needed political asset, Filipinos tend to vote for ‘trusted brands’ — scions of well-known families. Philippine President Benigno Aquino’s clan, for example, has already produced two presidents and five senators since 1928.
The continuation of political dynasties can weaken the quality of democracy and economic development. This political phenomenon in the country has in fact engendered inequality which tend to let the cycle of poverty of our people continue.
The Philippines is famous for its wealthy families that dominate local and national politics. Among the hopefuls from prominent families running for Senate seats in the coming mid-term elections are the son of the current Senate president and the brothers of two serving senators.
Political dynasties are here to stay whether you like it or not, unless, of course, if YOU make a choice. Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits the existence of political dynasties but because majority of the lawmakers are either scions or kingpins of a political