Chapter I

Introduction
Background of the Study. Article II Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution states, The Philippines is a
democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority
emanates from them thus people choose their leaders by means of an election. In most democracies,
political dynasties are prevalent like Mexico, Argentina, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Querubin
(2010) stated in his paper that these dynasties exemplify a form of political elite persistence.
Political dynasty refers to the situation wherein members of the same family are occupying
elected positions either in sequence for the same position or simultaneously across different positions.
Analysts regard this situation as a signal of weak political competition, which can lead to poorer socioeconomic outcomes and chronic poverty. On the other hand, analysts also note that people may tend to
rely on patron-client relationships as a way to cope with their poverty, thus creating a demand for political
patrons in public office (Beja Jr., et al. 2013).
In Nueva Ecija, one of the prevalent political families the Joson Family. Joson dynasty started
when Eduardo N. Joson Sr. became the governor of Nueva Ecija in 1959 followed by his son, Tomas
Joson. The Josons ruled Nueva Ecija for 48 years until they faced a major setback when Mariano Cristino
Joson (Edno Joson) was beaten by Aurelio Umali in 2007.
Another is Umalis especially Aurelio M. Umali who beat Edno Joson in the 2007 polls, Edward
Joson in 2010 and Josie Joson in 2013. The wife of the current governor of Nueva Ecija, Cherry Umali is
currently the representative of the first district of Nueva Ecija and brother was a former member of the
sangguniang panlalawigan.
Other political family is the Violago of San Jose, Lacuroms of Nampicuan, Botes of General
Tinio, and Alvarez of Science City of Muoz.

Notable political families in Science City of Muoz includes the Alvarez. Their clan started when
Efren L. Alvarez became the Mayor from 1992-2001 and in 2001, he encouraged his brother Nestor L.
Alvarez to run as Mayor and won. He ran for reelection in 2004 and 2007 and won again as mayor. In
2010 his brother Efren L. Alvarez decided to run again as mayor, successfully won, and in 2013 Nestor
Alvarez replaced him, and became the Mayor again. In the same year, his niece Tequila Alvarez
successfully won as Vice Mayor.
Political dynasties do not only exist in the Provinces, municipalities, and cities. In the Barangay
level, dynasties are also prevalent. There are barangays in which officials are relatives and ruled for a
longer period.
This study aims to identify the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek elective office and
the conceptual definition of political dynasties in the select barangays in Science City of Muoz.
Rationale. Political dynasty is one of the major political issues currently however, no law defining
political dynasty thus is no prohibition in the Philippines. This study will be to gain a major
understanding on the issue of political dynasty. The study will explore political dynasty in the barangay
level and will determine the determinants in encouraging relative to seek elective office as well as the
concept of barangay officials regarding political dynasty.
Statement of the Problems. This study aimed to answer what are the determinants in encouraging relatives
to seek public office that continuously promote political families in the barangay. This study sought to
answer the following problems:
1. What are the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondent barangay officials?
2. What is the relationship of the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents to the
determinants in encouraging relatives to seek elective office?

3. What are their concept of political dynasty among the respondent barangay officials?
Objectives of the Study. The study determined the determinants in encouraging relatives seeking in
politics/public office. Specifically it aimed to:
1. Identify the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents.
2. To determined relationship of the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents to the
determinants in encouraging relatives to seek elective office.
3. To know their concept of political dynasty among the respondents.
Significance of the Study. This study will be significant for the policy makers; with this study, they will
identify the determinants on why political families encourage their relative to seek elective office to the
point of creating dynasties of their own.
In addition, with this study, the public officials will be able develop a strategy on how to equally
distribute power among themselves without engaging into political dynasty.
Lastly, the study can served as a future reference on studying the proliferation of political dynasties in the
grass root level.
Scope and Limitation. The study is limited to the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek elective
office using the three fundamentals of organizational behavior used by Andrew Dubrin. The 12 indicators
used in the determinants was developed by the researcher for illustrating and expounding the definition of
power, influence and organizational politics for better understanding of the respondents.

Collaterally, conceptual definition of political dynasty among the respondents is also determined
using thematic interpretation from the collective responses of the respondents in the open-ended
questions. The responses are in Filipino, however, for the purposes of analysis, the conceptual definition
of political dynasty was written in English.
However, due to lack of material time and the inability of the researcher to locate the respondents
in the barangay, the questionnaire was not subjected to a pre-test.
The locale of the study is limited to four barangays in Science City of Munoz. The local of the
study was determined through the top four barangays barangays with the highest frequency of barangay
officials with the same surname.

Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

The sections contains previous studies regarding political dynasties that includes undergraduate
and masters thesis and dissertation. The section also contains articles in journals, newspaper, and in the
World Wide Web.
The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. A quantitative approach is one
in which the investigator primarily uses post positivist claims for developing knowledge (i.e., cause and
effect thinking, reduction to specific variables and hypotheses and questions, use of measurement and
observation, and the test of theories), employs strategies of inquiry such as experiments and surveys, and
collects data on predetermined instruments that yield statistical data (Cresswell 1994). Cresswell (1994)
defined qualitative approach as one in which the inquirer often makes knowledge claim based primarily
on constructivist perspectives (i.e multiple meanings of individual experiences, meanings socially and
historically constructed with an intent of developing a theory or pattern) or advocacy/ participatory
perspectives (i.e political, issue oriented, collaborative or change oriented) or both.
Definition of Political Dynasties. Political dynasty refers to the situation wherein members of the same
family are occupying elected positions either in sequence for the same position or simultaneously across
different positions. Analysts regard this situation as a signal of weak political competition, which can lead
to poorer socio-economic outcomes and chronic poverty. On the other hand, analysts also note that people
may tend to rely on patron-client relationships as a way to cope with their poverty, thus creating a demand
for political patrons in public office (Beja Jr., et al. 2013). Beja Et Al. (2013) states, One definition of
political dynasties refers to members of the same family occupying elected positions either in sequence
for the same position, or simultaneously across different positions.

Another term for political dynasty is political family as stated by Kurtz (1989) A political family
exist when two or more relatives or have held in public office if two or more families are linked by
kinship, they are interlocked, forming a kinship network.
In our country ruled by a political oligarchy of rich and powerful families, a political dynasty
refers to relatives who enjoy a monopoly of electoral political power to the disadvantage of rival leaders
and the general public. In this sense, we can cite many provinces and cities and the national government
ruled by political dynasties. Anarchy of families says American historian, Alfred McCoy (Abueva 2013).
In the Merriam Webster Dictionary, dynasty defines as a succession of rulers of the same line of
descent; another definition was a powerful group or family that maintains it position for a considerable
period.
Political dynasties are also known as political families or political clans. These dynasties maintain
a monopoly of power over a longer period.
In the Philippine Constitution Article II Section 26 states, The State shall guarantee equal
access to public service and prohibit political dynasty as may be defined by law. There is no law in the
Philippines defining political dynasties. Yusingco (2012) states:
It seems that such a law cannot be enacted because the majority of lawmakers are members of
traditional political families (at least 70% of Congress members belong to political dynasties). Indeed, it
is hard to imagine these legislators passing a law that will cost them their grip on political power.
Nevertheless, there are Anti-Political dynasty bills pending in the House of Representatives and in the
Senate.
Nature of Barangay. The barangay is a basic administrative unit and key arena for democratic engagement
(Magno). In the section 384 of the local government code it states that As the basic political unit, the

barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs,
projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may
be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled. The barangay is
composed of the Punong Barangay, seven Sagguniang Barangay members, Sangguniang Kabataan
member, a Treasurer and Secretary and other appointed officials.
Valdeheusa (2010) states that a barangay is a small republic. It has territory, people,
government, though limited sovereignty. As the home of every sovereign Filipino, its voters provide
legitimacy to government and authority to public servants on all levels. Every precinct is located in it;
every vote cast in. He also states that like a municipal and upper level government, it has also three
branches of government, the executive headed by the barangay chairman, legislative composed of the
sagguniang barangay, and judicial headed by the lupon tagapamayapa but all three are headed by one and
the same official: the Barangay Chairman. Unlike the upper level governments, there is no separation of
powers in the barangay. It is a parliamentary form of government. This explains why its leader is called
Chairman (i.e. prime minister) not Kapitan as in little commander-in-chief (head of state in the
presidential form of government}. He is a little prime minister, not a little president. Punong Barangay is
his formal title.
Appointed officials in the barangay include a barangay secretary and treasurer. In the local
government code the secretary and the treasurer is appointed by the barangay chairman with the
concurrence of the majority of all sangguniang members and shall not be subject to attestation by the
Civil Service Commission.
The fusion of the powers of the three branches of government in the barangay places this small
political unit a notch higher than the parliamentary system. In a parliamentary set-up, executive and
legislative functions are exercised simultaneously but barangay officials also have quasi-judicial powers
apart from the power to implement and enact laws (Lagman 2008).

Valdehuesa (2010) pointed out that because a barangay is a parliamentary form of government it has a
parliament called the Barangay Assembly. This assembly is in fact the communitys supreme governing
body since it consists of all the voters within the jurisdiction, the residents. The Barangay Assembly has
power to discipline or recall the chaiman and kagawads for loss of confidence. It is supposed to hear and
pass upon the semestral report of the sangguniang barangay concerning its activities and finances. It can
a) initiate legislative processes by recommending measures for the welfare of the barangay and city or
municipality; and b) propose, enact, or amend ordinances passed by the Sanggunian through the process
of initiative or referendum.
Nature of Power of Barangay Chairman. In the Local Government Code Section 389, the Punong
Barangay serves as the chief executive of the barangay, exercised such powers, and performs such duties
and functions as provided by the LGC and other laws.
According to Valdehuesa (2010) the barangay is a parliamentary form of government because the
three branches of government are headed by the barangay chairman and in the barangay there is no such
thing as separation of powers. This explains why its leader is called Chairman (i.e. prime minister)
not Kapitan as in little commander-in-chief (head of state in the presidential form of government}.
He is a little prime minister, not a little president. Punong Barangay is his formal title. It is wrong to
confuse the two terms, using them interchangeably. A chairman presides as first among equals over his
peers, while a captain commands troops (subordinate ranks). It would be ridiculous to have a commander
or dictator rule over the sovereign citizens of a democracy or a small republic like the barangay. Before
the Local Government Code was enacted in 1991, the barangay was not a full-fledged government but a
quasi-municipal entity with no significant powers or resources. He was called Barrio Kapitan a title
derived from the Spanish Period when barrios were commanded by the captain of the Guardia Civil.

Lagman (2007) states The trinity of governmental powers is vested in the Barangay Chairman.
He is the Chief Executive of the barangay; he is the Presiding Officer of the Sangguniang Barangay; and
he is the Chief Magistrate of the Lupong Tagapamayapa. In a manner of speaking, the Barangay
Chairman is President, Speaker and Chief Justice. Truly, he is the greatest functionary.

According to Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat:

The barangay chairman is the mayor, Speaker of the House and Chief Justice of the barangay. He is the
engineer who monitors infrastructure projects, the budget secretary looking for fund sources from local
and national agencies, the chief social worker during calamities and disasters and the chief police who
supervise the Tanods. At times, he is also the guidance counselor who provides advice to warring
couples. And he is the ultimate spokesperson of the barangay. He has a lot of roles. Multi- faceted. And
he is quite powerful, that's why he's also the Numero Uno ward leader of politicians (Fernandez 2013).

Power of Appointment. In the Local Government Code, appointed barangay officials include barangay
secretary and treasurer. Section 394 of the LGC states The barangay secretary shall be appointed by the
punong barangay with the concurrence of the majority of all the sangguniang barangay members. The
appointment of the barangay secretary shall not be subject to attestation by the Civil Service
Commission. While 395 states The barangay treasurer shall be appointed by the punong barangay
with the concurrence of the majority of all the sangguniang barangay members. The appointment of the
barangay treasurer shall not be subject to attestation by the Civil Service Commission. Other brangay
officials appointed by the Punong Barangay shall be governed by the provisions of LGC and other laws or
by barangay ordinances (Sec. 396).

Another appointing power of the barangay captain is to appoint barangay Tanod. The barangay
tanod as a whole is a community brigade composed of civilian volunteers appointed by the Punong

Barangay upon the recommendation of barangay kagawads acting as Barangay Peace and Order
Committee. The Local Government Code provides for a maximum of 20 tanods in each barangay;
however, villages may create more as necessary in accordance with the needs of public service, and
subject to the budgetary limitations of the barangay. The Punong Barangay can designate a Chief
Tanod/Ex-O to head the group. The tanods can also be organized in teams of two to four members in
each team headed by a Team Leader (Aquino).

Importance of Family in Politics. In the research conducted by Kurtz (1989) families in which politics is a
usual activity of the members, children undergo a socialization experience, which is different from
nonpolitical families. He also stated, Families with a tradition of public service develop name
recognition, goodwill, and skills, all of which are components of the state or capital which can be
transferred from one member to another.

Prevalence of Political Dynasties. In the study conducted by Beja et al. (2013), they stated that the
increased income poverty does not create political dynasties but it contributes to the expansion of the
largest and strongest dynasty. According to Beja et al (2013):
Given that the poor are most vulnerable to political patronage and manipulation as well as practical to
sell their votes, a worsening, if not unchanging, poverty would be beneficial to political dynasties. Since
the largest political dynasties would, in most situations, be the families that have cultivated the most
extensive networks of patronage, accumulated the most political and financial capital, and have the
access to the largest political machineries, they would also be in the best position to take advantage of
vulnerable economically disadvantaged voters.

Querubin (2010) stated that members of these political dynasties have a great political power due
to various observed and unobserved characteristics of the family such as wealth, talent, popularity or
looks that correlate with political success and can be transmitted across generations.

10

Sunico (2013) pointed out that these political families have gathered enough wealth and resources
to ensure that they win any election whether through the strength of the family name or through more
"creative" electoral strategies.
(CenPeg) Center for Peoples Empowerment and Governance (2010) stated that:
The barangay is a microcosm of oligarchic politics, misallocation of resources, and corruption. It serves
as an extension of ruling political dynasties and as a base of future traditional politicians. Many
candidates for punong barangay (barangay captain) are the children or relatives of the local mayor or
councilors. It is also a stepping-stone for future municipal and congressional leaders. Many members of
Congress started their political career in the barangay. Candidates for barangay posts totaling 336,200
also receive backing from congressmen and other local politicians who seek to maintain their power
base particularly during elections.

Exploitative political dynasties are thus the cause and consequence of our ineffective and
unaccountable patron-client democracy, and personalized parties plagued by misuse of power, corruption
and wastage of state resources, and of our rapid population growth and continuing underdevelopment. We
cannot begin to change our political system that breeds these ills without basic structural and institutional
reforms, as Charter change advocates and we critics keep saying and writing about (Abueva 2013).

Conclusion. There were many previous studies regarding political dynasties in general, however, there
were lack or wanting of studies regarding the subject in the barangay level. The previous studies showed
above is only limited on the prevalence and effects of political dynasties in the society and not on the
determinants that encourages relatives to seek elective office.

11

Chapter III

Methodology
Conceptual Framework. This study aimed to determine the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek
elective office. The barangay officials socio demographic variables such as age, civil status, educational
attainment, years in public office, political background of the family, private occupation, relatives serving
in the barangay, relatives serving in the city they are correlated to the determinants in encouraging
relatives to seek elective office. served as the independent variables.
In addition to this, the conceptual definition of political dynasties among selected barangay officials in
Science City of Muoz was also be determined to give light to their choices of determinants in
encouraging relatives to seek elective office.

Socio Demographic
Characteristics

Determinants in encouraging
relatives to seek elective office

Age
Civil Status
Years in Public Service
Educational attainment
Family Experience in Elective
Office
Private Occupation
Monthly Income

Concept on Political Dynasty

Relatives serving in the

barangay
Relatives Serving in the City

Fig. 1: Conceptual Paradigm

12

Operational Definition of Terms. Several terms were used in this research which might have a different
context in other researches or in its daily use. There are also terms which are not familiar to many people
because it requires specialization into a certain discipline. These terms are:
Barangays the basic political unit of the Philippine government which serves as the primary planning
and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community,
and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered,
and where disputes may be amicably settled.
Barangay Officials the respondents of the study which is composed of the following:
Barangay Chairman the chief executive of the barangay and the presiding officer of the
Sangguniang Barangay mandated to enforce all ordnances enacted by the Sangguniang Barangay.
Barangay Kagawad elected barangay officials, who serve as the legislative council of the
barangay and composes the Sangguniang Barangay tasked with making ordinances and
resolutions for the barangay.
Barangay Secretary appointed barangay official that keep of all records of the sangguniang
barangay.
Barangay Treasurer - appointed barangay official that keeps the custody of barangay funds and
properties.
Determinants reasons of the barangay officials in encouraging their relatives to seek elective positions
as mentioned by Andrew Dubrin. These are divided into three categories: Power, Influence, and
Organizational Politics.
Power The potential ability to influence decisions and control resources.
Influence Resembles power, but tends to be more subtle and indirect

13

Organizational Politics - the informal approaches to gaining power through means other than
merit or luck.
Concept of Political Dynasty it refers to the understanding of barangay officials on what political
dynasty to which the researcher thematically interpreted.
Political dynasties refers to members of the same family occupying elected positions either in sequence
for the same position, or simultaneously across different positions.
Family a group of persons related by blood by consanguinity or affinity.
Relatives a person connected with another by blood or affinity; a person who is kin with another.
Blood relative one who shares an ancestor with another.
Collateral relative a relative who is not in the direct line of descent, such as a cousin relative of the half
blood.

14

Research Methods
Data Gathering. This study used both quantitative and qualitative data to the determinants in encouraging
relatives to seek elective office in selected barangays in Science City of Muoz.
The questionnaire composed by several parts; the first part was designed to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents. The second part was formulated to know the determinants
in encouraging relatives to seek public office using the indicators listed by the researcher on the
questionnaire .The third part was a series of open-ended questions developed to determine the conceptual
definition of political dynasty in selected barangays in Science City of Muoz.
For easy understanding the context and meaning of the questionnaire, the researcher wrote in
Filipino.
Sampling Procedure. The researcher used the multi stage sampling method in the study. The researcher
have chosen Science City of Muoz because of the prevalence of political families in the city as
manifested by the blood relations of the chief executive and his vice mayor.
All of the Barangays chosen by the researcher are composed of barangay officials, which have
similar surnames with the other officials. The respondents were composed of 40 barangay officials either
elected in the case of chairman and kagawads or appointed in thr case of secretaries and treasurers.
However, the samples were supposed to be 40 but three of the respondents were unable to be reached by
the researcher despite diligent efforts and follow-ups.
Statistical Analysis. Data gathered were analyzed using the following statistical tools:
a. Frequency Count and percentage- These were used to analyze the socio demographic characteristics
such as age, civil status, gender, educational attainment, profession besides of becoming a barangay
official, monthly income, family experience in public service, relatives serving in the barangay.

15

b. Chi-Square- This was used to determine the relationship between the socio demographic characteristics
of the respondents to their concept of political dynasties.
Locale of the Study. The researcher conducted the study in the four barangays of Science City of Muoz,
Nueva Ecija namely Cabisuculan, Matingkis, Naglabrahan and San Antonio. All of the barangays were
purposively chosen by the researcher for having at least four barangays officials who have similar
surnames or belongs to the same family.

Source: Science City of Munoz Website(Accessed February 2015)

Legend
Locale of the Study

Figure 2. Map of Science City of Muoz

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43