Political dynasties in the Philippines have become a significant barrier to true democracy, perpetuating a system where a few wealthy families monopolize political power and resources, leaving the vast majority of Filipinos marginalized and voiceless. According to Professor Roland Simbulan, Acting Chair of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance, the dominance of political dynasties is a direct result of the country’s lopsided economic structure, which allows the landed elite to consolidate wealth and power through public office.
In a statement, Simbulan explained, “The phenomenon of political dynasties reflects the absence of real political competition in the Philippines. Our feudal economic system has allowed only a few families to control vast wealth and power, and they have used public office as a means to protect and expand these interests. The concentration and consolidation of these dynasties over the past century is a testament to the continuing hegemony of feudal politics in our country.”
In the recent Rappler report, the count of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), at least 71 of the country’s 82 provincial governments or 87% are led by members of political dynasties. This dominance underscores a system where power is frequently passed down within families, raising concerns about its impact on democratic representation and political diversity. Eigtheen of these political dynasties are considered ‘obese’ with at least five family members seeking different electoral positions.
In addition, political dynasties in the Philippine party-list system posed a significant challenge to the integrity of democratic representation as well. While the system was originally designed to give marginalized sectors a voice in government, it has increasingly been used by powerful political families to further entrench their influence. This distortion undermines the system’s original intent and has sparked calls for reform to ensure that the party-list system serves the interests of the truly marginalized and not just the political elite.
According to Simbulan, a retired professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, around 30 to 50 party-list groups, or approximately 20% to 30% of the total, are linked to political dynasties.
Simbulan emphasized that the entrenchment of political dynasties has reached alarming levels, with elections becoming a means to perpetuate the power of a few families, rather than a true exercise of democratic choice. “Elections in the Philippines are not a level playing field,” he remarked.
“Candidates from political dynasties have a significantly higher chance of winning due to their control over resources, patronage networks, and media. The results are often predetermined by the dominance of these dynasties.”
This dominance, Simbulan argues, has resulted in the absence of real political competition, where elections serve not to discuss issues or policies but to further entrench the power of political personalities. “Elections today are less about platforms or programs and more about personalities,” Simbulan said. “As long as political dynasties continue to control the process, the representation of the majority of Filipinos will remain elusive.”
At the heart of the country’s political and economic inequality, Simbulan believes, lies land ownership. “The concentration of land in the hands of a few wealthy families has always been the root of social and economic discontent,” Simbulan said.
“Landed elites have historically used their wealth to control political power, and this has perpetuated the system of political dynasties. The absence of genuine agrarian reform means that vast numbers of landless farmers remain exploited, and their discontent fuels rebellion and calls for social change.”
He emphasized that genuine agrarian reform is necessary to break the cycle of inequality and weaken the political power of the elite. “Until we address the issue of land ownership and the uneven distribution of resources, the political dynasties that control these lands will continue to dominate both local and national politics,” Simbulan said.
“True democracy cannot thrive in a society where economic power is concentrated in the hands of a few.”
Simbulan also stressed that for democracy to flourish in the Philippines, real political parties with defined programs, ideologies, and platforms must emerge to challenge the dominance of political families. “Political parties should be rooted in the larger sectors of society, representing the interests of workers, farmers, youth, and other marginalized groups, not the interests of political dynasties,” he said. “We need to move beyond the politics of personalities and focus on real issues that affect the majority of Filipinos.”
Despite the grim outlook, Simbulan remains hopeful for the future. “In a country rife with inequality, the hope for real change lies in education, national consciousness, civic values, and social awareness,” he said. “If Filipinos understand the importance of transparency in governance and become organized at the grassroots level, change can happen. There is hope for the future of our country, and the path to true democracy will be paved by the collective efforts of the people.”
