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The Evilness Behind Political Dynasty

A Research Paper Submitted to


Mr. Wilson Llana
Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements


in Philosophy 2

By
Etrata, Jan Erik C.
Giron, Kimberly S.

April 24, 2015

Abstract
This research, entitled The Evilness behind Political Dynasties; which will tackle
the following issues: What is political dynasty? Why does political dynasty still exist
even though it is unconstitutional? What motivates political leaders to establish political
dynasty? How does political dynasty affect the government and the society? Why is
political dynasty considered as an immoral act? The method that has been used for this
research is qualitative research. This research was a success since all of the questions
were studied and answered thoroughly. The researchers have found out that political
dynasty is considered to be an immoral act, and therefore laws must be implemented
for these political dynasties to be gone. For political dynasties to be reduced; the
members of these dynasties themselves must realize that what they are doing might
affect them in the future and will suffer because of distrust of people to the government
that may lead to rebellion. Future studies related to this topic must tackle the possible
procedures for these political dynasties to slowly fade out.
Key Terms
consanguinity
corruption
graft
immoral
incumbent
nepotism
political dynasty
self-perpetuation
unconstitutional
warlordism
I. Introduction
A. Background
Simbulan (2007) defined political dynasty as a succession of people from the
same family who plays a role in politics. Political dynasty has existed in the political

environment of Philippines for many years. Political dynasty is a big issue that
Philippines could not solve. This political issue is raising concern about the inequality in
the distribution of political power that may reflect flaws in the government system.
Based from the Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, it says that The
State shall guarantee equal access to public service and prohibit political dynasty as
may be defined by law. Despite of this Anti-Political Dynasty Act implemented, our
fellow citizens still continue to support political dynasties. The citizens cannot be blamed
for the existence of political dynasty, because some of the political candidates use their
money and influences to manipulate and convince people to vote for them. Some also
tend to hurt and threat other people, just for them to win in elections.
Philippines faces a significant threat to the vibrancy of its political system.
Political dynasties have been well-established in Philippine politics, and dynastic
politicians are returning to the campaign trail to safeguard turf or to recapture old
positions. The problem is endemic in the Philippines 70 percent of members of
Philippine Congress are from political dynasties.
According to Simbulan (2007), as of 2007, different cities in the Philippines are
being ruled by about 250 political dynasties. They have the superiority in the Philippine
politics, both national and local levels have been there for at least three decades.
It became natural for sons and daughters of political families to go into politics
just like their grandfathers, grandmothers, mothers or fathers. But do they truly qualify?
It is because it runs in the family business, meaning family legacy, they are trapped to
follow suit. Just like sons and daughters of business tycoons and magnates who are
expected to help and eventually take over the throne to their family.
With the proposition mentioned, the researchers came up to this study since the
status of political dynasty in the government is very alarming and the researchers
should study this to further discover the immorality behind political dynasty. The study,

as stated, will focus on the different impacts and effects of political dynasty towards the
government and society. We hope to get the results which we know would be helpful for
the citizens to be more aware and vigilant to its bad effects and also for the legislators
to see the views of the other people.
B. Statement of the Problem
This study aims to find out the immorality behind political dynasty in the
Philippines. In addition to that, this study will also tackle the different causes and effects
of political dynasty in the government and in the society.
This research was specifically intended to answer the following questions:
1. What is political dynasty?
2. Why does political dynasty still exist, even though it is unconstitutional?
3. What motivates political leaders to establish political dynasty?
4. How does political dynasty affect the government and the society?
5. Why is political dynasty considered as an immoral act?

II. Body
A. History and definition of political dynasty

The occurrence of political dynasties was believed to be first recorded in the preMagellanic period. In his book The Making of a Filipino, Renato Constantino pointed out
that communities at this time were already accustomed to an early form of government
and politics. The pre-colonial society had the datu, raja, and maharlika as rulers and
stewards of tribal communities. According to Constantino, their strong familial bonds
espoused the development of the leadership and social prestige of this ruling class.
Perhaps the datu, raja, and maharlika class served as archetypal models for the
formation of political dynasties in the Philippines.

SB 2649 provides that political dynasty shall exist when a person who is the
spouse of an incumbent elective official or relative within the second civil 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 official. It
shall also be deemed to exist where two (2) or more persons who are spouses or are
related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity run simultaneously for
elective public office within the same province, even if neither is so related to an
incumbent elective official.
The characterization of political dynasty includes terms/concepts that require
further definition. A spouse refers to the legal and common-law wife or husband of the
incumbent elective official. The term second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
refers to the relatives of a person who may be the latters brother or sister, whether of
full or half-blood, direct ascendant or direct descendant, whether legitimate, illegitimate
or adopted, including their spouses. The term running for an elective office is deemed
to commence upon the filing of the certificate of candidacy by a candidate with the
COMELEC. Holding an elective office is deemed to commence from the moment the
public official takes his oath of office.
The presence of political dynasties in our government promotes graft and
corruption, because family members tend to overlook the mistakes of each other. This
also leads to nepotism. (A. Donato, 2010)
B. POLITICAL DYNASTY STILL EXIST EVEN THOUGH IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Political dynasty is unconstitutional because under the Philippine Constitution at
Article II, Section 26, it is stated that The state shall guarantee equal access to
opportunities for public services, and prohibit political dynasty as may be defined by
law. (De Leon, 2008)

Based from the statement mentioned, political dynasty is considered a crime.


However, it still exists here in the Philippines because political dynasties have no
definite definition in our constitution. (Cruz, 2007)
The

continuing

phenomenon

of

political

dynasties

today

reflects

the

encompassing influence of traditional politics. Recent studies reveal that since 1903 to
present, dynastic candidates have had about thirty percent greater chance of winning
over non-traditional rivals. It has become customary for citizens to base their decisions
on personality-based campaigns backed by familial or dynastic support. While an
ideology is in place such dynasties perpetuate and enjoy various advantages in
traditional kinship networks, political machineries, wealth, property, access to
government sources, weak political party system, weak electoral system, culture of
powerlessness among the people, and warlordism. (Tuazon, 2012)
Many bills and laws are passed to define political dynasty in order to prohibit
building political dynasties here in our country, but the very problem of these bills and
laws are the government officials who is indeed will pass these bills and laws are also
the people who are guilty of building such political dynasties here in our country. (A.
Donato, 2010)
Therefore, in order for political dynasty to be eliminated, we must firstly eliminate
those persons in the government who are guilty of building such political dynasties here
in our country. The government officials should also follow what our constitution states
about their limitations, for them to be honest and trustworthy officials.
C. MOTIVATIONS OF POLITICAL LEADERS IN ESTABLISHING POLITICAL
DYNASTY
1.) Self-perpetuation

Self-perpetuation is defined as having the power to renew or perpetuate oneself


or itself for an indefinite length of time.
We found evidence compatible with self-perpetuation in that, legislators with
longer tenures are significantly more likely to have relatives entering Congress after
them. Holding legislative power for more than one term is associated with a 40%
increase in the likelihood that a politician will have a relative entering Congress in the
future. The fact that longer tenures predict dynastic permanence in power is consistent
with the idea that a longer hold on legislative power augments a dynasty s posterior
attainment of power.

2.) Personal Gain


The congressmen do receive monetary compensation but aside from that, they
are also granted pork barrel in order for them to spend in projects. Since executive
power and legislative power is centralized in one dynasty in certain districts, it makes it
easier for corruption practices to be tolerated, thus producing no or sub-standard
projects and programs for their constituents.
D. THE EFFECTS OF POLITICAL DYNASTY TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO THE
SOCIETY
1.) Graft and corruption
The presence of political dynasties in our government promotes graft and
corruption, because family members tend to overlook the mistakes of each other. This
also leads to nepotism (A. Donato, 2010).
The main effect of political dynasties; as stated above is graft and corruption due
of their power and confidence to do it because they hold every position in a community
so no one will charge them of their bad deeds. Nepotism occurs when the relative of a
powerful figure ascends to similar power seemingly without appropriate qualifications.

2.) Weakens the principle of political equality


There are a number of political dynasties present in our congress, and some of
them, who are members of the dynasties, after reaching the term limit in congress, runs
again and eventually get positions in the executive department. There is an almost
forever grasp in power that does not really give a fair share for other aspiring politicians,
moreover, this is also detrimental given the nature of the majority of laws passed by
members of the congress. The rise of elected officials with extensive familial links to
present and previous politicians in power signals a growing inequality in access to
power and political influence. That, in turn, could also affect the persistence and
prevalence of social and economic divides.
3.) Lessens the charges for those who commit corrupt acts
The centrality of dynasties to politics lowers the costs associated with committing
corrupt acts. Even if they face corruption or other criminal charges, political actors can
continue to reap the benefits of power by having spouses or children take their seats.
After one representative was found guilty of murdering the sons of his political rival, his
seat in the House was taken over by his wife, ensuring that the family name remained
relevant long enough for him to seek re-election after the appellate court cleared him of
all charges.
4.) Perpetuation of corruption
The continued success of political families despite corruption charges
undermines the rule of law, and perpetuates a system of corruption in government.
Well-intentioned individuals are deterred from seeking office, leaving positions open to
individuals who view government as an opportunity to accumulate more wealth and
power.
E. IMMORALITY BEHIND POLITICAL DYNASTY
With the existence of political dynasty, it becomes easier for the officials to apply
graft and corruption since they can be tolerated with their co-politicians especially if they
belong to one family.

Based from the article of the Catholic Bishops Conferences of the Philippines, it
states that graft and corruption in the plainest of language, stealing from the public
through the misuse of influence or position has become, to our shame as a people, an
ordinary fixture of our nations public life.This sin is today especially hateful before God
because it steals money from the already poor. Stealing from public funds is so much
more food plucked from the mouths of the starving, so many more chains binding us,
plunging us deeper into the enslaving spiral of poverty from which we are begging to be
extricated with outside help. Under present circumstances, it becomes a sin of the
blackest hue, a sin that cries to heaven for vengeance.
CBCP also added that sins of graft and corruption cannot be condemned
enough. For they destroy or obscure the image of God in those who perpetrate them,
and harm the dignity of the children of God in those who are their victims. Acts of graft
and corruption can be death-dealing and are always oppressive of Gods children. For
the way to life is in keeping the commandments, among which is Thou shalt not steal.
Political dynasty allows inequality in the distribution of power, because the power
is distributed only on the same clan. The reasons for its existence are; greed and lust
for increase of power or control.
Greed is defined as a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as
money) than is needed. Lust is also defined as an emotion or feeling of intense desire in
the body. The lust can take any form such as the lust for knowledge, the lust for sex or
the lust for power. Greed and lust belong to the Seven Deadly Sins. Medieval
theologian Thomas Aquinas said of Greed: "it is a sin directly against one's neighbor,
since one man cannot over-abound in external riches, without another man lacking
them; it is a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, inasmuch as man contemns things
eternal for the sake of temporal things.

Therefore, we can say that political dynasty is an immoral act because it does not
promote good welfare to the people; instead they just want to preserve their position in
the government, in order for them to retain their power and authority. In addition to that,
political dynasty is also immoral because it is rooted from greediness and lust for power.
III. CONCLUSION
The researchers have come into a result that Political Dynasty does not promote
goodness, is illegal and is immoral.
Political dynasty is an act which is done by politicians having their relatives also in
politics. For example, the Mayor of a particular city has a son who is also the ViceMayor of the same town. The research also answered the question why does
political dynasty still exist even though it is unconstitutional. It still exists because
there is no definite definition in the constitution that strictly prohibits the political
dynasty. The reason why there is no definite definition in the constitution is because
majority of the elected officials who vote for a bill to be passed are political dynasts.
(https://www.academia.edu/9600685/The_Causes_and_Impacts_of_the_Political_D

ynasties_in_the_Political_Sphere_of_the_Philippines )
The motivations of politicians to commit political dynasty were also discussed in the
research. In this research, we found out that there are two main motivations: a) SelfPerpetuation; and b) Personal Gain. Thus, the power and the money will only
circulate

to

the

folks

of

the

politician.

(http://www.researchgate.net/publication/228276641_An_Empirical_Analysis_of_Poli

tical_Dynasties_in _the_15th_Philippine_Congress)
There will also be effects that will come out. The first one is the graft and
corruption, because the funds that should be allocated to the projects for the
development of a particular place go to the pockets of the politician who is in charge
of the project. Second effect is that political dynasty weakens the principle of political
equality, since it violates the principle that the power should be equally distributed to
the people and it also prevents other people outside the family of the political
dynasts who aim to be elected, but is not effective because of political dynasty. The
third effect is that it lessens the charges for those who commit corrupt acts because

of the connections they have with their relatives who are also in politics. The last
effect is the continuation of the corruption, which is because family members tend to
overlook the mistakes of each other. This also leads to nepotism. (A. Donato, 2010)
Political Dynasty is immoral because it is motivated by greed and lust for power.
(http://cbcponline.net/v2/?p=8064)
The solution to eliminate Political Dynasty is to eliminate from the government those
who are guilty in doing the political dynasty. (A. Donato, 2010)
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS
Life is full of changes, so we should always continue researching about this topic.
Therefore, we are giving you the following recommendations:
1. We, the researchers, are highly recommending the future researchers to
further study the biographies of the politicians who do political dynasty. This is to know
what

motivates

them

from

doing

the

act.

(www.cenpeg.org/fellows_speak/simbulan/POLITICAL_DYNASTIES_IN_MINDANAO.ht
ml)
2. We are also recommending the future researchers to further study the
recommended references below:

Center for People Empowerment and Governance.


http.//cenpeg.org. Website of the Center for Peoples Empowerment
and Governance (CENPEG)

Mc Coy, Alfred. (ed.) An Anarchy of Families: State and Family in

the Philippines. QC: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 1994.


Olivares, Roger. www.endpoliticaldynasty.com. Website of the End

Political Dynasty Movement.


Simbulan, Dante. The Modern Principalia: The Historical Evolution
of the Philippine Ruling Oligarchy. QC: UP Press, 2005

BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.voxeu.org/article/dynasties-democracies-political-side-inequality

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_dynasties_in_the_Philippines
http://www.congress.gov.ph/download/basic_16/HB00837.pdf
http://cbcponline.net/v2/?p=8064
http://globalbalita.com/2013/04/29/political-dynastys-definition-is-like-that-of-nepotism/
http://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2014/12/01/the-philippines-must-break-the-power-ofpolitical-dynasties/
http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/political-dynasties-worsen-problem-oncorruption-1.1139597
https://www.academia.edu/9600685/The_Causes_and_Impacts_of_the_Political_Dynas
ties_in_the_Political_Sphere_of_the_Philippines
http://attyatwork.com/defining-a-political-dynasty/
http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2013/02/13/political-dynasties-in-indonesia-and-thephilippines/
http://www.up.edu.ph/it-runs-in-the-family-the-making-of-political-dynasties-in-thephilippines/
http://www.deadlysins.com/sins/greed.html
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/228276641_An_Empirical_Analysis_of_Political
_Dynasties_in _the_15th_Philippine_Congress

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