Political Dynasties in the Philippines

The Philippine political structure is an oligarchy under the control of a few notable
families. The term coined by Filipinos to describe this practice is "Political
dynasty".
One can trace its roots from the Spanish colonial times where favored
families of the mestizo stock, or the illustrados were given responsibilities
of gobernadorcillo, or alcalde.
This phenomenon continued well into American rule of the Philippine Islands,
as Illustrados were integrated into the democratic process introduced by
the Philippine Bill of 1902.
The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states in Article II Section 26,
"The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service,
and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."
Many have called for the Congress to pass the Anti-Dynasty Law, but this
bill has been passed over by each Congress since 1987. Some have pointed
that oligarchy is the root problem of all the corruption in the Philippine
government.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_dynasties_in_the_Philippines
The reality, of course, is that dynasties are far different from what these fairy
tale images convey. They are machineries of power that seek to perpetuate their
own bloodlines and expand their reach.
In their monarchial form, dynasties exploit their subjects, with violence as a
hallmark of dynastic rule often masquerading as benevolence, as each ruling family
seeks to dominate another.
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/08/10/1486177/why-regulate-politicaldynasties

Dynasties can define as the difference between thin (inter-generational

succession, as in the case of Mar Roxas) and fat (simultaneous monopoly of seats,
such as with the Binays). As you can see in the picture below:

Dynasties thus thrive on inequality.

Political analysts Ronald Mendoza did a similar study correlating poverty and
political dynasty in 2012. Those findings identified 10 provinces with the largest
dynastic sharethe representation of dynastic officials in the total LGU
population. Shown in the illustration below:

Increased poverty levels mean that those living under dynasties do not have the
resources to challenge their rulers.
Instead, they seek to maintain their power through webs of patron-client
relations that enforce their hold on the populace through a combination of
coercion and suasion.
It is akin to what one American political theorist called the gangster theory
of life.
In effect, political dynasties--by hoarding wealth--also monopolize
political capital. They thus discourage citizens from launching any
effective challenges to their rule.
http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/08/10/1486177/why-regulate-politicaldynasties
In the Philippines, it is normal for a politician's son, wife, brother, or other
kinsman, to run for the same or other government office. It is commonly describe
as political dynasty.

There are many politicians of today monopolize the politics on their respective
provinces, like the Josons of Nueva Ecija, Magsaysay and Gordon of Zambales,
Cojuangcos, Aquinos, Marcoses, etc.
http://philippinepoliticaldynasty.blogspot.com/

Lack of political competition and the prevalence of political dynasties

impact socio-economic outcomes in Three Ways:
it prevents the majority of citizenry from communicating their needs to the
government.
Dynasties compromise democratic institutions by using powers for selfserving interests.
Skew the selection of political leadersfavoring those with influence
thwarting the best, the brightest, and the most deserving from government
service.

Are political dynasties necessarily all bad?

Those who defend dynasties argue that they provide strong and capable
leaders, well-known and respected in their regions.
Another argument is that, given the small pay and long hours involved in
government service, there is little to entice them to join electoral politics,
barring corruption.
Political dynasties can thus produce qualified and dedicated officials.
These claims may be difficult to substantiate, but Philippine history does
include a number of families that have not only shown great aptitude and
concern for honest public service.
One can argue that not every dynastic family is bad, especially if they are
sufficiently thin, qualified and compassionate, and some have done the
country significant good across more than one generation.

http://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/08/10/1486177/why-regulate-politicaldynasties

Advantages and Disadvantages of Political Dynasty

Major Advantages:
is in fundraising. With the huge costs of running for office; the
financial connections of a dynasty makes it difficult for all but

personally wealthy individuals to run for office.

Major Disadvantages:
is that these same financial contributors want something in exchange
for their money, so the state, governorship, Senate, or Congress is
disadvantaged when votes cast favor those who bought them, instead
of what is best for the country or state.

http://www.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_advantages_and_disadvantages_of_po
litical_dynasty

Other Advantages:
is that sons or members of the bloodline running in government
position have enough background on politics and well-versed in
governance. They are used-to in leading people.
It has many advantages especially if the family has a good track in

their services and maintains integrity in their office.

Other Disadvantages:
Having this system is the tendency of harboring power.
The thirst for dominion will ruin not just the government but its
people. Fame and popularity of the family will surely find them a
good place in the government office.
What puts Filipino people in jeopardy regarding this political
dynasty lies in the saying whatever the tree, so is the fruit. If
corruption finds its way in the family, it is not impossible in the
next generation who will inherit the power.

http://philippinepoliticaldynasty.blogspot.com/