Political Dynasties in the Philippines

Political dynasties are widespread and common in the majority of democratic nations
worldwide. Any democracy, regardless of its structure, history, or degree of economic growth,
can have political dynasties to varied degrees. Based on the definition of dynasty given by
Wikipedia, which is "a sequence of rulers from the same family, stock, or group," we can define
political dynasty as a series of political rulers from the same family, stock, or group. It literally
refers to the transfer or retention of political authority amongst relatives. In the Philippine
political scene, it is not unusual for relatives to run for or hold relevant political positions. For
instance, the son receives a transfer of an electoral seat while the mother or father attempts to
compete for the next higher office. This kind of arrangement has existed in Philippine politics
since the time of the Spanish, when some "illustrados" who were considered to be favored were
appointed to positions in local administration. Within their town or city, these "illustrados" have a
lot of power. And in the early 1920s, when voting was first restricted to the wealthy and
landowners, who at the time held a monopoly on public office, American colonial authorities took
those "illustrados" under their wing and introduced them to electoral politics following the
Philippine-American War.

As of right present, both municipal and national elections consistently reflect the
dominance of party strongholds. Political dynasties have strength and power, and we have proof
of their abilities. We have direct experience with the destructive power that an unbridled
governing family, like the Ampatuans, may wield over their own regions, as well as the iron-fist
approach taken by the Davao Dutertes to impose relative tranquility. One of the most horrific
crimes in the Philippines today has been carried out by the Ampatuans thanks to their ability to
use their influence and authority over government resources. Conversely, Davao takes pride in
being a drug- and criminal-free city. Even the most seasoned criminals feel terrified when they
realize that extrajudicial executions are a genuine possibility. Dynasties are based on trust.
Family is the one thing you can always rely on. As they say, "blood is thicker than water." A
leader who has a strong sense of trust can manage and oversee his followers successfully and
efficiently without worrying about being betrayed or criticized. One benefit of political dynasties
is that. We are reminded by the impending national elections that the majority of politicians are,
in fact, linked to one another—either by blood or by affinity. Additionally, while selecting capable
national and municipal leaders, we must measure the benefits of having a family in power
against the risks and drawbacks of political dynasties. This is just another instance of tradition
versus liberalism and tradition versus modern thought.

As the nation's political kingdoms have grown and expanded, it has become increasingly
difficult to identify areas where democracy still exists. People are never able to determine if they
deserve more from the government when morality is neglected and regulations are twisted.
Political dynasties impede democracy by contributing to the volatility and fragility of political
institutions, which are meant to be fostering the nation's individuality and sense of reason. With
political dynasties, it will now come down to connections and weapons rather than credentials
and slogans.
Forming political dynasties is a useful tactic for controlling and retaining power. It would
be simple for a single family to influence the system to their advantage given the number of
seats they hold in the government. We're going to throw out the check and balance concept.
Politicians are typically elected not for their qualifications but rather because of their kinship in
the political community. A ruling family can also encourage nepotism within the government. If
their legislator is a member of a political clan and truly cares about public service, the
constituents are extremely fortunate. Politicians who enter the field by virtue of their ancestry
typically do so for prestige. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the former president, never removed her
middle name since people would always remember her as Diosdado Macapagal's daughter.
Following the passing of his mother, the late President Cory Aquino, President Noynoy Aquino
experienced an increase in popularity. It also didn't hurt that his father is a hero. Others who
became well-known due to their name's heritage are also in this category.
As a result, the idea of representational governance has become muddied. The
assertion that the government is run by, for, and by the people is no longer accurate.
Government of them, for them, and by them now takes its place. The government now serves
its own interests rather than the public good. Two proverbs that spring to mind as a result of
their ongoing dominance are "absolute power corrupts absolutely" and "familiarity breeds
contempt."