Philippine Politics: The Destructive Legacy of Political Dynasties

Political dynasty has always been a hot topic whenever we talk about the political landscape in the Philippines. It’s always the same old names of politicians that are running for government posts every three to six years, from the local to the national level.

According to Sheila Coronel from her book The Rulemakers: How the Wealthy and Well-Born Dominate Congress (2004), a political dynasty is defined as a family or group of families that maintain political power across generations, often through elected or appointed positions. These dynasties dominate political institutions, leveraging their name, resources, and networks to ensure their continued control over governance and public office. Their influence also goes beyond political activities, as they also participate in business and cultural activities.

The Roots of Political Dynasty

The emergence of political dynasties can even be rooted down to our pre-colonial society. The datus (village chieftain) were political leaders of pre-colonial villages, a position that is also being transferred to their kinship. As the Spaniards came, they went to the datus to gain control of the native population. They were promised to hold key positions to the colonial government, such as gobernadorcillo (town mayor) and cabeza de barangay (village chieftain), were given prime lots to the cabeceras (town centers), and were appointed as principalias or the noble class. The same principalias were eventually appointed and were given key positions by the Americans to the National Assembly and to the Commonwealth. These circumstances laid the foundation for a few elite families to dominate the Philippine political landscape.

The Recipe for Perpetuating their Power

Political dynasties are categorized into "thin" and "fat" dynasties based on their scope, reach, and level of influence. 

Thin dynasties are those whose power and influence are concentrated in a specific locality or region, such as a province, city, or municipality. They typically dominate local politics, controlling mayoralty, governorship, or congressional seats within a specific area. Their influence is limited to a smaller geographic scope and does not extend significantly beyond their immediate territory. They rely heavily on local networks, patronage, and name recognition within their community. Thin dynasties often focus on maintaining control over local resources and governance rather than expanding their reach nationally. Examples of these are the Singsons of Ilocos Sur, Ynareses of Rizal, and Villafuertes of Camarines Sur.

Fat dynasties are those whose power and influence extend beyond a single locality, often spanning multiple levels of government (local, provincial, and national) or even branching into different regions. They have a broader geographic and political reach, with family members holding positions in local, provincial, and national governments simultaneously. They often control multiple branches of government or have influence over key national institutions. Fat dynasties are more likely to have significant economic power, often tied to large businesses or industries, which they use to reinforce their political dominance. They are more strategic in building alliances with other powerful families, businesses, or institutions to expand their influence. Examples of these are the Villars, Dutertes, and the Marcoses.

Thin dynasties are more localized and focused on maintaining control within a specific area, while fat dynasties have a wider reach, often dominating multiple levels of government and leveraging their power on a national scale. Coronel uses this distinction to highlight how political dynasties adapt and grow over time, with some remaining confined to their local strongholds (thin) and others expanding their influence to become dominant players in national politics (fat). Both types, however, contribute to the concentration of power and the perpetuation of inequality in political systems.

As per the words of Prof. Ronald Mendoza, "The more fat dynasties you have, the more poverty there's likely to be."

In the same book of Sheila Coronel, she mentioned the 7 M's of Dynasty Building which are the key strategies or mechanisms that political dynasties use to establish, maintain, and perpetuate their power. These are:

1. Money: Political dynasties often have significant financial resources, which they use to fund campaigns, secure endorsements, and maintain a strong political presence. Wealth allows them to invest in patronage, infrastructure, and other means to secure voter loyalty.

2. Machinery: Dynasties control or have access to well-organized political machinery, including local government units, barangay officials, and grassroots networks. This machinery helps mobilize voters, deliver votes during elections, and maintain influence over communities.

3. Media: Control or influence over media outlets is a powerful tool for political dynasties. They use media to shape public perception, promote their family's image, and suppress criticism or opposition.

4. Mayhem and Murder: Some dynasties resort to coercion, intimidation, or even violence to maintain power. This can include using private armies, leveraging connections with law enforcement, or silencing opponents through force.

5. Marriage: Strategic marriages between political families help consolidate power and expand influence. These alliances create networks of support and resources, further entrenching dynastic control.

6. Mythmaking: Dynasties cultivate a narrative of legitimacy, often portraying themselves as benevolent leaders, heroes, or saviors of their communities. They use propaganda, historical revisionism, and storytelling to build a myth around their family's role in society.

7. Management of the State: Dynasties often control or influence government institutions, allowing them to allocate resources, appoint allies, and implement policies that benefit their family and supporters. This control ensures their continued dominance and access to state resources.

These 7 M's work together to create a self-reinforcing system that enables political dynasties to thrive, making a mockery to democratic principles and equitable governance. Coronel's analysis highlights how these strategies perpetuate inequality and hinder political reform in systems dominated by dynastic rule.

Prominent families in Philippine politics in the present

According to Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), 80% or 216 out of 253 district seats in the House of Representatives are held by political dynasties, 142 of them are seeking reelection. In addition, 71 of 82 governors, or 87%, belong to political dynasties. Of these 71 governors, 47 are running for re-election and 19 have relatives running to replace them in the May 2025 elections.

Since 1998, the top position of the land has been held by someone coming from a political dynasty - from Estrada, Macapagal-Arroyo, Aquino, Duterte, and Marcos. The diagram of the Philippine presidents genealogy shows that they are not even that separate from each other in terms of kinship.

Source: Filipinogenealogy.com

Among many political families, these three currently are the biggest players in Philippine politics.

The Romualdez-Marcos Dynasty of Leyte and Ilocos Norte

The Marcoses have been a political powerhouse through the ages, especially when the former dictator and patriarch Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. ruled for over 20 years. His wife, former First Lady Imelda Marcos was the Governor of Metropolitan Manila. His son, Bongbong Marcos, was the Vice Governor of Ilocos Norte. His daughter, Imee Marcos, was the Chairperson of Kabataang Barangay. 

Thirty-six years after the downfall of Marcos, Sr. dictatorship, they have made a great political comeback as Marcos, Jr. won by a landslide in the 2022 presidential elections. Currently, Bongbong’s son, Sandro Marcos is a district representative of Ilocos Norte. His sister, Imee Marcos, is a Senator and will run for reelection. His first cousin, Martin Romualdez, is the House Speaker. The Romualdez’ bailiwick is in Leyte, where Alfred Romualdez is the Mayor of Tacloban City and Yedda Romualdez is a representative of Tingog Sinirangan Partylist. Besides Sandro, Matthew Manotoc, son of Imee Marcos, is the Governor of Ilocos Norte and Cecilia Araneta-Marcos, their sister-in-law, is the Vice Governor.

Source: Asia Media Centre

The Duterte Dynasty of Davao City

The political ally-turned-rival of the Marcoses, the Dutertes, rose into power as the patriarch, Rodrigo Duterte, won as the 16th President last 2016. Afterwhich, his daughter, Sara Duterte, became Vice President in 2022. Davao has been their political stronghold for decades, where Sebastian Duterte is the Mayor, while Paolo Duterte is the District Representative. In the recent development of the political sarswela against these two families, Sara Durterte was impeached by the house of Representatives, the very first Vice President to be impeached, and waiting for a final verdict by the Senate if she will continue to hold office or will be convicted. 

Photo retrieved from the Asia Media Centre, originally from Presidential Communications Office

The Aguilar-Villar Dynasty of Las Piñas City

Another prominent political dynasty in the Philippines is the Aguilar-Villar clan from Las Piñas. Manny Villar was a House Speaker and Senate President, now the richest billionaire in the Philippines. His wife, Cynthia Villar and his son, Mark Villar, are Senators. Their daughter, Camille Villar, is the Deputy House Speaker since 2020 and will run for Senator this 2025 midterm elections. Cynthia’s sister-in-law, Imelda Aguilar, is the Mayor of Las Piñas. Cynthia’s nephew and niece, Carlo Aguilar (incumbent Councilor) and April Aguilar (incumbent Vice Mayor), are rivals for mayoral post in Las Piñas this midterm elections. Las Piñas has been a stronghold of the Aguilars since 1964, spanning for three generations. Cynthia will also run for district representative of Las Piñas this midterm elections.

Photo credit: UP CSSP Student Council

Only a few families like these three mentioned have seemingly perpetuated their power on Philippine politics. Is there any hope? Well, thankfully, there is!

The Alternative: Makabayan’s Politics of Change

Makabayan Coalition is a progressive political party in the Philippines that has been pushing for pro-people policies in the midst of the power-hungry and elite-riddled Philippine political system. Makabayan has started participating in the Philippine elections since 2001. Ever since, they have secured seats at the Congress and this time in 2025 midterm elections, they have fielded 11 senatorial candidates. These candidates are representing the clamor and the sentiments of the respective sectors where they came from and whom they’re representing, same ordinary Filipinos like many that want genuine representation and genuine change in Philippine politics. Makabayan has also fielded candidates up to the local level, many are community organizers and leaders that are up against prominent names in local politics.

Mga kababayan, this midterm elections, these political elites are not our only options. We have better alternatives. We have candidates that truly carry the dreams and aspirations of ordinary Filipinos from the motherland to the overseas. This 2025, the Filipino people needed to win! Let’s make this thing happen by voting for Makabayan senatorial candidates.

Sources

• Sheila Coronel, The Rulemakers: How the Wealthy and Well-Born Dominate Congress (2004)

• Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Over 70% of Lower House district reps are political dynasties seeking reelection, PCIJ, October 26, 2024

• Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR), PCIJ’s in-depth review maps political dynasties’ grip on power, CMFR, (Date not specified in URL; typically current as of access date—recommendation: no earlier than October 2024)

• Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Governors: Political dynasties dominate provinces ahead of 2025 elections, PCIJ, December 8, 2024

• Giselle Barrientos, Why Political Dynasties Continue to Thrive in the Philippines, Esquire Philippines, May 16, 2019

• Rappler, Villar nephew, niece – Carlo, April Aguilar – to fight for Las Piñas mayoral post in 2025, Rappler, (Exact date not in URL; recommend: current as of access date—early 2025)

• Manila Today, Makabayan Coalition to push forward pro-people politics against political dynasties, Manila Today, (Exact date not in URL; recommend: current as of access date)

• Philippine Daily Inquirer, Study says ‘fat dynasties’ behind worsening poverty, Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 8, 2018

• Asia Media Centre, Asia’s political dynasties: Philippines, Asia Media Centre, (Exact date not in URL; recommend: current as of access date—likely 2022 or later)
  

• Felice Sta. Maria, Philippine Family Trees Series 2, Filipino Genealogy, March 1, 2017