Navigating the enduring influence of political families in Philippine politics

In thePhilippines, political power is about as stable as a wobbly barstool - dynasties run the show like established brands, passing down control from one family member to the next. Politics, in this game, is all about keeping the reputation shiny and voters loyal, often sidetracking fresh faces and reformers.

These dynasties capitalize on their namesake recognition to gain votes, strengthen control, and manipulate public opinion. With roots reaching back into Filipino history, they've raised eyebrows over limited access to leadership roles, the weakening of democratic processes, and the persistence of patronage politics.

Before Spanish colonization, barangays were governed by local leaders called datu. Colonial rule disrupted this structure, turning local leaders into a class of elites granted wealth, land, and authority. Over time, these roles became hereditary, laying the foundation for modern-day dynastic politics. American colonial rule deepened this phenomenon by restricting suffrage and public office to selected elites.

A political dynasty, according to experts, refers to families with multiple members holding elected positions one after another or simultaneously. These dynasties have been linked to widespread poverty, governance issues, conflicts of interest, unchecked corruption, nepotism, cronyism, human rights violations, and high-profile political scandals.

Their influence often extends beyond elected office, reaching into the justice system, law enforcement, and public institutions - making them tough to challenge and allowing them to act with near impunity. These dynasties come in 'thin' and 'fat' varieties, with a thin dynasty controlling a single elected position over time, and a fat dynasty holding multiple government positions simultaneously.

In a 2025 report by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, 113 out of 149 city mayors belong to political dynasties. In some cities, non-dynastic mayors are currently holding the reins, but political clans are already preparing to challenge their control. The study found that by 2025, dynastic control would have increased significantly in the House of Representatives, provincial governorships, and congressional districts.

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the State should ensure equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties. Despite this, no law has ever been passed to implement this ban. Experts say that while the Constitution includes an anti-dynasty clause, Congress, which is dominated by political clans, has never enacted an enabling law.

Although term limits were introduced to prevent dynasties, they've actually encouraged dynastic succession through spouses and children. When asked about ending political dynasties, political science professor Neil Ryan Pancho said, "For over three decades, there has been no enabling law. Many attempts have been made to end political dynasties, but none have succeeded."

Legal scholars, civil society organizations, and anti-dynasty activists have fought against these political clans, but their efforts have not made much headway. Violence often permeates local elections, with personal rivalries escalating into deadly conflicts. In Mindanao, political tensions are further fueled by rido, or clan feuds.

Inevitably, areas controlled by dynasties face higher risks of corruption. Pancho, an advocate for reform, noted that "checks and balances are integral to our government, which is why the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches are separate. If families control both the executive and legislative branches, there's no more check and balance, leading to corruption and bad governance."

In a 2024 survey, 1 in 2 Filipinos believed government officials from political dynasties were more likely to be corrupt [6]. The survey showed that this sentiment was strongest in Metro Manila, followed by South Luzon and the Visayas. Regardless of income level or political leaning, the belief in a correlation between dynastic politics and corruption remained strong.

Despite public backlash, political dynasties remain deeply entrenched in the Philippine political structure, preventing inclusive and accountable governance. Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) Executive Director Rona Ann Caritos pointed out that "local politics can be deeply personal." Speaking about the tragic killing of Election Officer Atty. Maceda Abo and her husband Jojo in 2025, Abo said, "Every time an election officer is killed, I feel bad. These are the people safeguarding our democracy, yet they become targets."

Efforts to Regulate or Abolish Dynasties:- Constitutional Mandate: The 1987 Constitution explicitly prohibits political dynasties but requires Congress to pass an enabling law.- Grassroots Advocacy: Civil society groups and scholars have pushed for anti-dynasty bills and transparency reforms, though legislative progress remains stalled.- Judicial and Electoral Challenges: Courts occasionally intervene in election disputes, but systemic enforcement mechanisms are lacking.- Academic Evidence: Studies show dynastic governance correlates with poorer outcomes in healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development, fueling calls for reform.

Emphasis added to highlight enrichment data integration.

Enrichment Data:- Political dynasties have profoundly shaped the Philippine political system by monopolizing power, perpetuating governance challenges, and stifling economic growth.- Dynasties tend to rely on personal connections, corruption, and violence to secure and maintain power.- Proposed anti-dynasty laws and electoral reforms have faced resistance, and progress remains limited.- In the absence of meaningful reforms, corruption, wealth disparities, and political instability persist.

In the Philippines, political power is often controlled by established families, known as dynasties, passing leadership roles from one family member to the next.
These dynasties, despite raised concerns of nepotism, unchecked corruption, and patronage politics, have a strong influence not only in politics but also in the justice system, law enforcement, and public institutions.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits political dynasties, requiring Congress to pass an enabling law, however, no such law has ever been passed.
Grassroots advocacy, transparency reforms, judicial interventions, and academic studies continue to call for anti-dynasty laws and electoral reforms, but progress remains stalled.
Corruption, wealth disparities, and political instability persist in areas controlled by dynasties, with personal rivalries often escalating into deadly conflicts, especially in Mindanao.
In a 2024 survey, 1 in 2 Filipinos believed government officials from political dynasties were more likely to be corrupt, with the strongest sentiment in Metro Manila, South Luzon, and the Visayas.
In an effort to regulate or abolish dynasties, the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente) has emphasized the importance of transparency, enforcement mechanisms, and the need for meaningful reforms to ensure inclusive and accountable governance.
In the face of political clans' resistance, activists, scholars, and civil society organizations continue to advocate for change, aiming to safeguard democracy and promote good governance in the Philippines.