Family that runs together, steals together

Our country has long been considered a dynastic democratic State, where powerful clans have been in control of the political landscape. In fact, the last four Presidents were all descendants of political dynasties.

Contrary to common public perception, political dynasty is not necessarily a recent phenomenon, tracing its history to the early onset of Spanish colonization in the Philippines. Through patronage and accommodation, the Spaniards, who introduced the reducción system of centralized authority, had granted the datus and their respective families principality status, which meant they were now members of the indigenous nobility.

This status, of course, had given them the ability to own large estates and a chance to hold significant positions in local government units, either as little governors or barangay heads. These, in turn, allowed them to wield so much influence they would do anything they could to hold on to power. They connived with the powers that be instead of being loyal to the people whose interests they should have advanced instead. They have monopolized public service so much that even to this day, established families are the ones lording it over.

This is the reason why the 1987 Constitution prohibits the existence of political dynasties. The fact, though, that the apropos provision needs an enabling law makes it extremely difficult to implement because Congress, which should take care of this issue, has refused to enact a law officially banning it. Why? Because its members are the ones benefiting from the system.

But what exacerbates the situation is the fact that for the last few decades, these families have metamorphosed into fat dynasties where numerous relatives of politicians simultaneously hold public office.

In a study by the Ateneo School of Government, it was revealed that the percentage of fat dynasties in Philippine politics is more or less 29 percent, with approximately 170 positions added per election year. Right now, nearly 250 political families control the politics of all 82 provinces at all levels.

Even in the partylist, which supposedly is created to represent the marginalized sectors, 36 out of 54 partylist groups in this Congress have at least one nominee belonging to a political family. This number is expected to rise further since members of political clans have certainly found a way to integrate themselves into the system.

These politicians certainly make a mockery of the electoral process since the Constitution is designed to afford every Juan an opportunity to render public service. The fact that the only academic requirement it prescribes for office is the ability to read and write presupposes it wants to democratize access to governance. Sadly, though, that is not the case as familiar names and faces routinely run for office.

Senator Cynthia Villar, on several occasions, has stated there is no need to abolish political dynasties, particularly if they are working and doing well. She said if the people don’t want them, they can simply choose not to vote for them. Besides, she thinks the phrase “political dynasty” is wrong as she prefers the word “legacy” instead to describe it. Legacy, my ass, if you ask me.

The problem with her statements is most political clans are actually doing deleterious things. Most of them are corrupt because that’s what happens when there is a monopoly in government. They employ so much control they can practically do anything they want. Since they manipulate the resources, there is an utter lack of competition, allowing them to field family members who are inept and incompetent, whose job expectedly is simply to make sure their respective families continue to perpetuate themselves in power.

In many provinces, political clans have positioned themselves as warlords who exercise autocratic authority and coercive control over their constituents. Oftentimes, they dictate who should run and be elected. They’ve been in power for so long they seem embedded permanently in the political arena, abusively overseeing the local economy, exercising authority over the police, and utilizing the proverbial guns, goons and gold to determine the results of the elections.

I really doubt if the existing members of Congress and those about to be elected would have the resolve to finally enact the appropriate measure to do away with political dynasties. Instead, they will expend their energies on promoting their vested interests at every given opportunity.

Hopefully, the people at some point would get to jettison this system by electing not to install them into office, realizing fully that these families that run together oftentimes steal together.

But that is a tall order.