Family Matters: An Overview of Poltical Dynasties in the Philippines
By the Education & Research Core | September 2015

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History & Definition















Political dynasty refers to the concentration, consolidation or continuation of public office and political power by persons related to each other.

According to Renato Constantino (1982), political dynasties were already existent in pre-Magellan period. He considers the history of datus, rajahs, and maharlikas, members of the ruling class, the archetypal model of today’s political dynasties. However, it is likely that today’s political dynasties were formed from the US creation of democracy; to come from an elite family is a requisite in running for office in the first elections the US organized. These group of people called the principalia are thus given an incumbent advantage which was passed on to their sons and daughters and grandchildren. Acemoglu and Robinson (2013) say that “the initial conditions imposed by the US may have been what shaped which political dynasties form and perhaps even the origin of the power of political dynasties in the first place.” 
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Economic

Findings of Mendoza et al (2013) show that the prevalence of political dynasties is higher in areas where poverty is more severe since votes can be bought easily. District with dynastic legislators have higher poverty incidence, poverty gap, and poverty severity compared to other areas as shown in the table below.

Patron-client relationships are the recourse of the poor; they help protect poor families from income shocks and poverty and thus keep political clans in power.These bandage solutions to poor people may cause harm to the society; it may benefit those in the lower social pyramid for a while but it contributes to the perpetuation of political dynasties which may not always be efficient in the long-run.  The ability of clans to monopolize politics, barring their non-dynastic counterparts from holding office, may cause further income inequality and harm future performance (Lee, 2005).

Sociological and Cultural

In An Empirical Analysis of Political Dynasties in the 15th Philippine Congress, Mendoza et al (2012) finds that roughly 70 percent of the Congress come from political clans. Of 229 legislators, 155 are dynastic while 74 are non-dynastic. In addition to that, they found that, “on average, political dynasties are spread across the different age and gender groups of legislators.” Thus, they conclude that there exists to be no bias against the young or against women.

Pros and Cons of Political Dynasties
PROs

Anyone who is eligible, regardless of name, should be allowed a seat in office. This is the main argument for pro-political dynasties. Membership in a political dynasty does not necessarily equate to corrupt leadership. It is wrong to questions one’s willingness to serve the public merely because of accidents of birth.

Political dynasties do not necessarily cause poverty but correlation is strong between the two.  Thus, non-dynastic politicians may not be presenting themselves as viable alternatives to political dynasties. (Mendoza et al, 2013)
CONs

“Most of our politicians consider their political posts as their legacy which they can pass on to their next generation. Political office becomes a family heirloom which politicians hand to the next generation without considering talent, competence and integrity. The political dynasties deny other members of the community who may also prove competent and worthy of respect the opportunity to serve the country.” (Honorable Erlinda Santiago, House Bill No. 837)

Passing on a reputation may be inefficient when politicians are brought to a point where their loyalty to their family’s legacy hinders them from making a decision that may go against what the family has started. Non-dynastic counterparts, who are not tied to such names, are more dynamic.

In Inequality and democracy, Mendoza et al (2012), say that political dynasties dominating political parties may be causing inefficiencies as it “trumps the development of robust political parties and political platforms.” This calls for party lists that are well-represented and not just dominated by political clans.
Anti-Political Dynasty Bill

The Anti-Political Dynasty Act guarantees equal access and opportunity to public office and public service; likewise, prohibits political dynasties.

Section 3 of the Act defines Political Dynasty as follows:

“Political dynasty shall exist when a person who is the spouse of the incumbent elective official or relative within second degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent elective official holds or runs for an elective office simultaneously with the incumbent elective official within the same province or occupies the same office immediately after the term of office of the incumbent elective official. It shall also deemed to exist where two or more persons who are spouses or are related within the civil degree of consanguinity or affinity run simultaneously for elective public office within the same province, even if neither is related to an incumbent elective official.” 

References:
Constantino, Renato. (1982). The Making of a Filipino: A Story of Philippine Colonial Politics. Quezon City: R. Constantino
D. Acemoglu and J. Robinson.(2013 January 9).  Political Dynasties in the Philippines [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://whynationsfail.com/blog/2013/1/9/political-dynasties-in-the-philippines.html
R. Mendoza, E. Beja Jr., V. Verida, and D. Yap. (2012). An Empirical Analysis of Political Dynasties in the 15th Philippine Congress. 
R. Mendoza, E. Beja Jr., V. Verida, and D. Yap. (2012). Inequality in democracy: Insights from an empirical analysis of political dynasties in the 15th Philippine Congress. Ateneo de Manila, Asian Institute of Management
R. Mendoza, E. Beja Jr., V. Verida, and D. Yap. (2013). Political Dynasties and Poverty: Evidence from the Philippines.
Lee, C. 2005. Income inequality, democracy, and public sector size.American Sociological Review 70(1): 158-181.
S. No. 2649. Retrieved from http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/106169091!.pdf
Continue this educational discussion at Kapekonomiya Pamana 2015! September 29, 2015 at the UP School of Economics Auditorium.