Over 250 district, party-list reps belong to political dynasties —PCIJ 

More than half of the members of the House of Representatives are part of political dynasties, according to research from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ). 

In a report on “Balitanghali” Wednesday, PCIJ data showed that 216 out of 253 district representatives belong to political families. Of this figure, 142 are re-electionists and 67 have relatives who seek to replace their kin in their posts. 

Further, 36 out of 54 party-lists have at least one nominee belonging to a political clan. 

In local politics, 71 of 82 governors are part of political dynasties. Of these, 47 are trying to remain in their posts while 19 have family members gunning for the same post. 

Meanwhile, 113 out of 149 mayors are also part of political clans. Eighty of them are seeking re-election this May, while 27 have relatives running to replace them. 

According to the PCIJ, a politician is considered a member of a political dynasty if he/she has a relative up to the third degree who is also holding a public post. 

But are political dynasties really that bad? Experts weigh in. 

For some, having a political dynasty ruling an area means that there is continuity of projects. 

“Ang maganda diyan nagkakaroon tayo ng continuity of power, continuity of projects. Ang problema lang diyan ay di maiiwasan na kapag nasanay po silang nasa government nang matagal, nagkakaroon ng potential na korupsyon, nagkakaroon ng abuso sa powers po,” said Philippine Bar Association president Joseph Manolo Rebano. 

(The good thing about that is that we have continuity of power, continuity of projects. The only problem with that is when they get used to being in government for a long time, there is the potential for corruption, and there is the abuse of power.) 

“Kapag ang mayor ay tatay at ang vice mayor ay anak o asawa, yung tinatawag na check and balance ay mawawala. Advantage naman na nakita natin in some of areas na may magaling at maayos na political dynasties,” said LENTE executive director Rona Ann Caritos. 

(When the mayor is the father and the vice mayor is the son or wife, the so-called checks and balances will disappear. But the advantage that we have seen in some of the areas with good and well-established political dynasties.) 

However, some said that political dynasties limit the opportunity for others to lead.

“Hindi maganda tingnan ito dahil para bang family enterprise, family business ang pagpapatakbo sa isang lugar. Nire-recognize din naman natin na may mga accomplishments,” said NAMFREL national chairperson Angel Averia Jr.

(It doesn’t look good because it's like running a place as a family enterprise, a family business. We also recognize that there are accomplishments.) 

“Yung problema ng pagiging dynasty parang nasa pinakatuktok lang ng tatsulok ang mayroong puder na mag-desisyon para sa bansa. Sa isang bansa na may over 110 million na katauhan, hindi ba tayo makahanap ng ibang huwaran na Pilipino na maaaring maging pinuno,”  said PPCRV director Ana De Villa-Singson. 

(The problem with being a dynasty is that it seems only the top of the triangle has the power to make decisions for the country. In a country with over 110 million people, can't we find other Filipino role models who can be leaders?) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News

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