Politics Is Not a Family Business

by: Jianna Tuan

Envision a political world with Chuck Hagel, a wise statesman. He once said, “Imposing
democracy through force is a roll of the dice.” Think of political dynasties, in which power stays
in one family. The said quote suggests that forcing things is risky since it could have a random
outcome just like rolling a die and maintaining political power in a single family is no different.
According to a 2014 study by Querubin from New York University's Department of Politics, an
estimated 50-70% of all politicians, including those in local government units, are associated with
political dynasties in the Philippines. Therefore, I firmly believe that political dynasties should
be banned from Philippine politics as they promote a monopoly of power and perpetuate
nepotism, weakening the principles of a fair and inclusive democracy.

Moreover, political dynasties not only foster monopolies of power but also have a
disadvantage when individuals secure positions not based on qualifications but merely due
to their familial ties. The prevalence of last names, such as the case with the Marcos family,
can lead to unqualified individuals attaining positions, undermining Article II, Section 26 of the
1987 Philippine Constitution, which clearly states that “The State shall guarantee equal access
to opportunities for public service.” This phenomenon brings up concerns about the
competence and meritocracy of those in power, as nepotism takes precedence over
qualifications. Indeed, “There is no ladder to climb when the top rung is reserved for people
with a certain name.” once said Forbes. (2009)

Although, an alternative perspective is that political dynasties, despite their drawbacks,

can provide stability and effective leadership due to their experience, maintaining
consistency. However, this stance poses a direct assault on our democracy, as it essentially
provokes the notion that only powerful people can assume leadership positions and only the
wealthy can secure electoral victories. In 2019, a study from the Ateneo School of Government
and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism reported that 70 out of 243 House of
Representatives were related to current or former politicians. Perhaps it is time for Filipinos to
stop leaning on familial leadership. Let others prove themselves and become leaders based on
their abilities, avoiding a system in which most leadership is inherited.