Introduction

The word “clan” refers to the group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and

descent. It can be more easily describe as tribes or sub groups of tribes. The word

“clan” meaning “children”, in the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. Each clan is a

large group of related people, theoretically extension of family. Kinfolk’s Political

succession isn't typically thought-about to be democratic. For decades past, wealthy

and powerful families or what we call “political clans” or sometimes referred to as

“political dynasty” had dominated national and local politics in the Philippines.

Political kinfolk refers to things whereby member of identical family are occupying

elective positions either in sequence for identical position or at the same time across

totally different positions. The elite or the families belonging to the upper class have

values necessary for exercise of influence that provide them additional advantage to

amass power.

According to Simbulan in the year 2007, few cities in the country were dominated and

led by Political Dynasties. They need the prevalence within the Philippine politics each

national and native level is there for a minimum of 3 decades. Several Politicians try to

rework their electoral offices into lasting family assets, and building what Filipino said

as, “Political kinfolk.” however this “Political Dynasty” is actually prohibited under the

1987 Philippine Constitution. Article II, Section XXVI which states that, “The state shall

guarantee equal access to opportunities for Public Service and interdict Political kinfolk

as is also outlined by law.”

In La Union the Ortega Clan has reigned for many years in which they refer to as

Ortega “Political Dynasty.” However, the La Union people do not take the reigning of the

Ortega clan as a violation or negative. Political Dynasties can ascent and descent. A

political Dynasty can rise or fall depending on how people perceive a clans ruling.

Political Dynasties are consequently the root and result of our counterproductive and

cryptic patron-client democracy, abuse and misuse of power, the rampant corruption

and continued underdevelopment (Abueva 2013). What we need is a Government that

strengthens and promotes the Participation of its subjects, is consensus oriented, is

accountable, is transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable, inclusive and one

that follows the rule of Law.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to discuss the factors why Political Dynasty is rampant at the

Philippines. This research ought to answer the following questions:

1. What is Political Dynasty?

2. Even though prohibited by constitution, why do Political dynasties still exist?

3. How does Political Dynasty affect the performance of Government and the

development of both local and national level?

Significance of the Study

This study is deemed significant to the following stakeholders for the following reasons:
The Present Students. They should be aware of why political dynasties exist and what

will happen if these dynasties will continue to exist and how these dynasties affect the

progress of Government.

The General Public. They will attain information and knowledge about political dynasties

to know of what are the positive and negative sides of it.

The Politicians of Our Country. Their awareness regarding the effects of having these

dynasties in our government will help motivate them in the prevention or minimizing of

political dynasties.

Thesis Statement

Political Dynasties are result of the continuous urge to hold power of certain

people that made one clan to rule over a certain place by only switching positions.

Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Tradition has been a persistent factor to politics. It has been obstructed as well as help

and supported by the community. The true rational authority is a result of handler of

power to offer either actually or potentially convincing reason for proposed course of

action. “It is untrue by the municipality of tradition in converging world and plurality of

claims and authority in terms of rival ideologies. But the capacity of calm, reason,

elaboration- which is the heart of rational authority- is one of the basic phenomena of all

political community and its tradition. Without them, no political community can exist,”

Carl J. Friendrich stated.

 Political Dynasties is present since a long time ago specially in a democratic

Government. Its existence resulted to unequal distribution of power which causes rage

from people.

According to McCoy (1994), “the perpetuation of political dynasties in the

Philippines is not simply a function of a socio- psychological and biological reproduction

of elites. The adaptive strategies of the political clans have minored the shifting

country’s socio economic and political terrain.”

For Generations, rich and well known families have been swarming in the

Government of the Philippines and on the first automated elections held last 10th of

May, 2010 the results were dominated by political clan winning both the national and

local elections. There were reports and Allegation that some candidates try to hold and

disrupt the rival’s votes in order to continue holding into power.

Diosdado Macapagal was the Family’s head that has been in politics since

1950’s. Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo run for presidency against late

Fernando Poe Jr. Election final results were delivered in late May or Early June. The top

15 of the candidates for senate belongs to Political Dynasties or family in which they

already hold office.

In provinces, Political Clans are still dominant, strong and the clan determines

the ruling and leadership. Political Dynasties embody elite extensions Philippines as an

example. More or less half of the Elected Officials had a relative previously in office.

Almost 40% of 79 Provinces in the country got related governors and congressmen.
 . “There are better leaders, but political dynasties kill them as they spout” (Diaz,

2004). This means that there were leaders who are accountable enough to be in a

certain position however they lose the chance in doing so for they can’t rival those who

got their clan as back-up. They have the edge to be great leaders however people are

blinded by Political Dynasties and falls beliefs. They tend to close their mind for new

leaders and think that one clan is enough to rule their place.

Whatever other causes that exist, having a family with Political Background or

having well known surname helps in politics, May it be in Leftist, Republican,

Bangsamoro or even in Democracy.

There are lots of Official belonging to Political Dynasties in the Government such

as the Aquinos, Arroyos, Binays, Cayatanos, Marcoses and many more. The reality that

many people in the Government itself is part of Dynasties imply that the prohibition of

Political Dynasty by the Constitution was really never carried out.

“The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public services, and

prohibit political dynasty as ma be defined by law” Article II Section 26 (De Leon, 2008,

p.110).

The statement above signifies that Dynasties can be considered as crimes.

However it still exist here in the Philippines, because the constitution didn’t give

accurate definition, guidelines and qualifications of what Political Dynasty is (Cruz,

2007). Bills and implementations prohibiting the exercise of Political Dynasty in our

country is deemed significant, for the people to have the equal access and opportunity

in Public Seats and positions.

 Many provisions, bills and enactments were passed in order to define what

Political Dynasty is and to prohibit the continuous building of Dynasty. However the

main problem is that it cannot be passed because the ones who should passed it are

also people who are guilty of being part of Political Dynasties.

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 continuous existence of political dynasties in our

country affects the accountability and stronghold of our government. Why you may ask?

It’s because these dynasties deprive the sense of "fairness" in people running for office

during elections, especially independent candidates. The Government should give equal

chance for people to gain public positions yet with clans holding different public

positions, these newly sprouted leaders and independent candidates who are

accountable enough may never have the chance to render service to the country.

"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)."

Indeed, the power of Political Clans overwhelms 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)."

This is really true because in order for someone to continue his legacy in a

certain place he/she will have to find someone related to him to rule a place so that still

he will still have an indirect ruling. For example for this is The Lumayag Reign in

Polomolok, South Cotabato for 15 years is an example of what Cruz wanted to imply.

After the Three consecutive reign of Ed Lumayag, his daughter Honey Lumayag

assumed the position and now in her third term already as she wins in the election last

May 13, 2019 as revealed in the tally. Rumors say that after the term of Honey, Ed will

run for Mayor again.

Political Dynasty unfortunately runs in the blood of the government. Some says

it’s not bad to support Dynastical leaders if they have created a ripple of change and

progress in a certain community. However the checks and balances of the government

may be affected if the officials come in the same clans. This may result to pursuing of

their own interest instead of the common good. They may even set aside the other

sides of every situation since the Government will always be on their favor. This will

greatly affect the accountability of the Government and the extent of the responsiveness

of an administration.

Furthermore, the continuous reign of Dynastical Leaders will eradicate the

chance of honing and molding new people despite having the quality of being good and

effective leader since the people will continue to support reigning clans than those

newly sprouted beans.