Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background Information
1.2 Thesis Statement: Political dynasties should be banned because political and
personal interests are promoted.
2.0 Basic Arguments
2.1 Political dynasties promote nepotism, favoritism and corruption.
2.1.1 Political clans are motivated by the preservation of wealth rather
than the implementation of basic political ideologies.
2.1.2 Officials do not control only political power within themselves; they
cultivate nepotism by appointing relatives.
2.2 Formation of political kingdoms inhibits democracy in the country.
2.2.1 Elections have become mere formalities rather that idle legal
processes.
2.2.2 Dynasties are reflections of the prevailing socio-economic
inequalities in the nation.
2.3 The existence of political clans prohibits economically- disadvantaged but
efficient candidates.
2.3.1 Basis for qualifications of public officials are distorted.
2.3.2 People come to accept the existing succession of political clans as
a tradition.
3.0 Counter Arguments
3.1 Dynasties make up an effective collaboration promoting good governance.
3.2 There is an increased devolution of power over the localities which empower
them.
3.3 Refutation
4.0 Conclusion
Christine Meredith E. Sarmiento December 10, 2009
Argumentative Essay
Political Affiliations Uncovered
opener of the influence of political dynasties in the country and the danger it imposes on
the people. According to a recent study by the Philippine Center for Investigative
Journalism, the emergence of political dynasties started when the Americans introduced
electoral politics in the 20th century. The standards boxed the opportunities to the rich
and the landed, who then monopolized public office. The image of this government
system was passed through the years, validating the Marcos regime, which is the
kinship affiliation explains the power and dominance of political affiliations (Bonoan,
2009). With this, political dynasties should be banned because political and personal
In our political setting, political alliances are defined along familial lines not
by political parties with strong political ideologies and beliefs (Jayme, 2001). Most of the
clans confine themselves on political structures for the essence of social survival, taking
advantage of the weak nation. Emphasis is put on preserving family wealth rather than
forming productive activities that will serve the country better. Immaturity of this political
system leads to nonsense acts of protection of the clan’s interests by legislating for their
own means. When dark-tinted SUVs rule the highways, luxury items are purchased and
dozens of bodyguards sprout, we see the seeds of corruption. (Philippine Daily Inquirer,
November 2009).
Officials held in public office do not have contentment with themselves.
They do not control only political power within themselves, but they also cultivate
nepotism by appointing their relatives. The kinship ties built by powerful families result
to favoritism norms in the government, poisoning almost every mind in it. It has crept
into their heads, distorting the rationality and dignity over their vocation. Another
In the course of the rising and expanding political kingdoms ruling over the
country, it has become hard to tell where democracy is to be found. With rules distorted
and morality questioned, people can never tell if they deserve more than what they are
getting from the government. Political dynasties inhibit democracy, further adding
instability and weakness of political institutions that are supposed to be working on their
sense of rationality and individualism for the country (Jayme, 2001). A reflection of this
phenomenon is the present day elections. Plebiscites are viewed as mere formalities
rather than idle legal processes. Filipinos started accepting the fact that family
succession in political institutions may be beneficial. They, too, are poisoned by this
thought. The present set up of our government is actually a monarchy, not a democratic
one. Bureaucrats held in public office are chosen through the value of inheritance, not
according to their skills. Considering this, voters seem to forget the essence of their
right to vo te. People should break apart from what they see is tradition. They have the
right to choose who they think is efficient and capable of a position. People should be
able to rationalize their minds and stop tolerating the overwhelming political dynasties.
With the plight of the horrifying Maguindanao massacre, people must take
into account a brutal reality check – how deadly Philippine democracy is. Dr.
Encarnacion Teresa Tadem, director of the Third World Studies Center of the University
of the Philippines, said that the continued flourishing of political dynasties is a reflection
clans are inherently wrong because they give a head start in politics of the same family.
With this simple launch, opportunities for other candidates are softly burned down.
Families rising into power shoot prospective rivals from coming into their state. During
the Marcos regime, Ferdinand Marcos stressed the abolition of political dynasties all
over the Philippines. However, he must have driven away growing political dynasties.
But then right after, he started establishing his own. He appointed relatives all over the
their freedom of holding public office. Once they try to peep in to the big world, they are
With the rise of different socio economic forces pulling Filipinos side by
side, even the essence of choosing rightful political representatives are unconsidered.
At present times, the basis for qualifications of candidates does not depend on his
competence; it all depends on his seated master. Indeed, democratic rules no longer
apply in the selection of candidates for public office. Presence of powerful political
disadvantaged candidates from running or winning the elections. If one wants to have
dynasty, to pull him up. In short, running for public office is a matter of grasping the truth
about inequalityof opportunities with the prevailing power of the ruling elite. Many
qualified Filipinos can improve public service but they are barred by these dynasties.
effects on most Filipinos. However, the worst part is people come to accept the existing
succession of political clans as a tradition. Embedded in their heads are the thoughts
that there is nothing wrong with a family laying down its hand all over the country. It was
political dynasties impose in their places. The system is a vicious cycle preventing the
system is dominated by fraud, corruption and violence. (The New York Times, 2007).
terminated for injecting damage, there are certain points that serve as signs for positive
dominating power and wealth to control the aspects of the nation. However, if dynasties
are closely examined, it will turn out that not all yield negative outputs. Several young
politicians from dynasties have broken away with their old ways of ruling specific areas.
They must have been unfairly disqualified from public service. They had proven their
capacity to govern responsibly. One example is Sergio Osmeña Jr., a worthy public
official, who might have been inequitably barred for being the son of his illustrious
father. With this, should Manuel Roxas be excluded also for being the son of Gerardo
Roxas, the son of a former president? The credentials of this family are unquestionable
dynasties is the increased devolution of power over the localities. Kinship affiliation does
not concentrate on urban areas only; they are creeping out to the provinces. In recent
years, the provinces’ cities and towns have grown richer (New York Times, 2007).
Because of local empowerment, good dynasties are becoming more responsive to the
call of good governance. Similarly, as clans expand all over the country, competition
rises among them. This opposition is viewed as a positive factor for change. Dynasties
race out with other dynasties which might eventually result to better public service if
they do the competition the clean way. Before, Manila, being the center of trade and
industry was outshining the other spots in the country. But now, under the ambitious
plans of the government dynasties other places are gradually revealing their own worth.
On the contrary, we cannot have the assurance that all dynasties bear
good intention and good heirs. Taking a risk with these unscrupulous dynasties will put
us to great danger, even more than the Maguindanao massacre. In addition, some
dynasties might really be attributed for local empowerment, but as we know, power
comes with great responsibility. Empowerment of localities spoils with the fact that local
politicians have more to gain personally from public office, fueling the cycle of violence
At this juncture, Filipinos should realize how vital their share is in running
this country. Political dynasties are slowly sweeping our ways to efficiency, thus, pulling
impose it is passed by the Congress. Who should people hope for to make this happen?
No way the Congress is doing it, the reason is obvious; Congress is the principal haven
devoted to this. We have to make a stand if we want this nation to survive. If not, the
blood will be right on our hands. The Congress cannot stop it but voters can… and
should. “Indeed, with one powerful stroke of the pen in our ballots, we can break the
chains of political dynasties or further tighten the cuffs of corruption that tends to sap out