Political dynasties in the Philippines

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Politics in the Philippines has been under the control of a few notable families.
It is normal for a politician's son, wife, brother, or other kinsman, to run for
the same or other government office. The term coined by Filipinos to describe
this practice is "Political dynasty", the equivalent of an oligarchy in political
science.

One can trace its roots from the Spanish colonial times where favored
families of the mestizo stock, or the Illustrados were given responsibilities of
Gobernadorcillo, or Alcalde. As such, these men have wielded some influence
in their communities, and patronage politics was a common undertaking.

During the early years of American rule of the Philippine Islands, these
Illustrados joined the democratic process introduced by the Philippine Bill of
1902. During this period, family names such as Cojuangcos, Lopezes,
Marcoses, Osmeas and Aquinos started to emerge, later on becoming
household names.

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states in Article II Section 26, "The
State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and
prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."

Many have called for the Congress to pass the Anti-Dynasty Law, but this bill
has been passed over by each Congress since 1987. Some have pointed that
oligarchy is the root problem of all the corruption in the Philippine
government.[1]

Despite the entry of the Party List System in the 11th Congress, the
proportion of lawmakers with relatives in elective positions have remained
the same in the post-Marcos political scene.[2] The table below illustrates the
percentage:

House Number

Percentage Percent Without Party List

8th Congress (1987-1992)

122

62%

62%

9th Congress (1992-1995)

128

64%

64%

11th Congress (1995-1998)

136

62%

65%

12th Congress (1998-2001)

140

61%

66%

Political scientist Dante Simbulan, in a study of the elites of Philippine politics

from 1946 to 1963 lists 169 prominent families. These families have
produced 584 public officials, including seven Presidents, two Vice Presidents,
42 Senators, and 147 Representatives. The tables below outlines the
demographics of families in politics.[3]

In the 9th Congress of the Philippines:

Representatives' relatives
who are in office

No.

Parents

60

30%

Children

18

Spouses

16

Siblings

43

22

Other Relatives

56

In-Laws

15

30

Grandparents

35

% of All Reps.

28

18

In the 11th Congress of the Philippines

Representatives' relatives
who are in office

No.

Parents

66

30%

Children

17

Spouses

25

11

Siblings

38

17

Other Relatives

64

In-Laws

15

32

Grandparents

40

% of All Reps.

29

`8

In the 12th Congress of the Philippines

Representatives' relatives
who are in office

No.

Parents

31

71

% of All Reps.

Children

25

11

Spouses

22

10

Siblings

47

21

Other Relatives

60

In-Laws

14

31

Grandparents

41

26

18

In the 14th Congress of the Philippines (from July 23, 2007 to June 4, 2010), it
was surveyed that more than 75% of the lawmakers are members of the old
political families.[4]