POLITICAL DYNASTY IN THE PHILIPPINES

Read and understand the essay about the political dynasty in the Philippines based on the article, "It
Runs in The Family' The Making of Political Dynasties in The Philippines - the University of The
Philippines System" by Stephanie S. Cabigao. Answer the questions below:

Submit your answers in PDF format.

1. According to the Supreme court of the Philippines, how will you define a political dynasty in PH?
- According to the Supreme Court in the Philippines, Political dynasty is defined as
“phenomenon that concentrates political power and public resources within the control of a
few families whose members alternately hold elective offices, deftly skirting term limits.”

2. Explain the emergence of the political dynasty in PH?

- Political dynasties started emerging after the Philippine Revolution when the First
Republic of the Philippines was established. The occurrence of political dynasties was
believed to be first recorded in the pre-Magellanic period. The pre-colonial society had the
datu, raja, and maharlika as rulers and stewards of tribal communities. According to
Constantino, their strong familial bonds espoused the development of the leadership and
social prestige of this ruling class. Perhaps the datu, raja, and maharlika class served as
archetypal models for the formation of political dynasties in the Philippines.

3. Describe politics according to Tuazon as a tactic in the political system.

- According to Tuazon, nearly 50 percent of the country’s current political dynasties owe their
ascendancy to post-Marcos (1986) political deals when most elective positions were filled up
by appointees of then President Corazon C. Aquino, “including the Ampatuans of the
infamous Maguindanao massacre.” In the entry of political appointees, it is understood that
more families were allowed to establish their respective dynasties in the political arena. The
prevalence of political families in various public posts has become commonplace in the
Philippine government today. Political dynasties have been thriving with memberships
increasing through horizontal and vertical expansion

4. Based on the essay of Stephanie Cabigao, explain how the Marcoses, Aquinos, including the
Ampatuans, establish their political arena in the Philippines.
- the charm of Northern Ilocos is attributed mostly to the Marcoses who became prominent
in public service in 1925; and of course, Tarlac where the Aquinos-Cojuangcos, considered as
the most powerful dynasty today, originated. The Ampatuans have been in Maguindanao
for centuries, and can trace their lineage to a Muslim preacher, Shariff Aguak, who was one
of the first people to bring the Islamic faith to the area. Andal Junior became mayor of Datu
Unsay, a town that bears his nickname, and at the time of the massacre, 10 of
Maguindanao's 34 municipalities were run by Ampatuans or their relatives.
5. Does a political dynasty effective in terms of development? Explain.
- I think yes, because dynastic political power is important as a determinant of politicians’
incentives to act in the interest of citizens. In fragile democracies where political power can
be concentrated in a small elite class and is handed down through family linkages, political
participation needs to be broadened.