Power uninterrupted: Dozens of families control RP politics

In the 2004 elections, then ABS-CBN broadcast reporter Ramon “Mon" Ilagan did what was unthinkable then—overthrow the 55 years of uninterrupted political rule of the Felix clan in Cainta, Rizal.

Three years later, Ilagan is again up to the same task. But he himself admitted that the race for the mayoral seat is more daunting: Ilagan now runs against Benjamin Felix, the current patriarch of the clan, mayor for almost two decades of those 55 years.

Benjamin is the father of Nicanor Felix, who was seeking his third term when Ilagan beat him in 2004.

“This is a very difficult, hard fight for me," Ilagan said, citing the older Felix’s clout. “But I am confident… I would always say, ‘Kung yun ngang nakaupo noon, natalo,’" he said in a phone interview.

GMA News Research has identified 256 political families (as of May 13, 2007) who had previously ruled, or continues to reign in the country. While all reign in the same arena, they however differ in political strength or influence: some are just emerging, seemingly testing the political waters; a few have gradually left the scene; several left only to return; many who stayed, and whose staying power is simply for the books.

While Congress has yet to decide on the meaning of “political dynasty," at least 60 political families could easily fit the most basic definition, having been able to maintain power over an elective post for several generations.

The Felix family holds the distinction of having the longest reign in a single elective public post. Benjamin’s father, Francisco, was mayor for 33 years, from 1947 to 1980.

Their rule was broken only in 1986, after the first Edsa Revolution, when officers in charge were appointed in local government units. The Felixes promptly returned to power in the 1988 elections.

Ilagan’s feat has yet to happen in Nueva Ecija, where the Josons have ruled as governors for 46 years and running. Patriarch Eduardo Joson was governor for 27 straight years from 1959 to 1986 and after Edsa 1 until his death in 1990. His eldest son Tomas III, then a provincial board member, took over as OIC governor briefly after his father’s death and was elected governor in 1992.

Tomas’ brother Eduardo Nonato or Edno succeeded him in the 1995 polls. Tomas again assumed the governor’s seat in the 1998 elections and is now serving his last term. The family has fielded Mariano Cristino Joson, Tomas’ brother, in the gubernatorial race.

Two other political families were able to hold a local elective post for more than two decades. The Yulos were mayors in Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, for 40 years, almost unbroken from 1956 to 1998 except for the transition years after Edsa 1.

Members of the Perez-Sison clan served an uninterrupted 27 years as mayors of Urdaneta City, Pangasinan from 1963 to 1992. In all, the Perez-Sison family occupied the post for more than three decades, with incumbent Mayor Amadeo Perez Jr. seeking his last term.

The Kintanars of Cebu, Levistes of Batangas, Carmonas of San Carlos City in Negros Occidental and the Dys of Isabela all held on to a single elective post for more than 30 years.

60 DYNASTIES

GMA News Research identified at least 60 political families who have held on to an elective post for at least two decades. These families cover 37 congressional seats, 12 mayoral posts and seven gubernatorial posts. (table 1)

National posts are included: It’s a one-man dynasty for Eulogio Rodriguez Sr. and Lorenzo Tañada, who were senators for at least 20 years. The cumulative terms of two members of the Osmeña family, Serge and John Osmeña, also spanned two decades.

Of course, President Ferdinand Marcos is the only chief executive to serve for 21 years, from 1965 until he was ousted in 1986.

Elective officials were able to hold on to their favorite posts for decades during the Marcos years, when term limits are unheard of – consistent with the dictator’s aim to monopolize political power.