Over 180 government positions held by political dynasties for 20 consecutive years —study

At least 188 government positions have been held by political dynasties for 20 consecutive years, based on a study conducted by GMA News Research after the 2019 elections.

Political dynasties are prohibited under Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. No law has been passed to enact this in 35 years, however, so there is no clear definition of the term itself.

Several anti-political dynasty bills have been filed over the decades, but these did not get passed by the Congress. Currently, there are four such bills filed at the Senate and two at the House of Representatives.

Prof. Roland Simbulan, Vice Chair of the Center for People Empowerment in Governance, does not hold much hope that an anti-political dynasty law can be passed soon.

"Paano natin maasahan na sila ay gagawa ng legislation o batas laban sa interests nila? We cannot expect them to legislate against their own family," he said in Kara David's installment of "Dapat Totoo: Eleksyon 2022 Special Reports."

According to GMA News Research, 79% of senators, 90% of congressmen, and 34% of party-list representatives come from political families. 

Meanwhile, a 2019 study from Ateneo School Government (ASOG) found that political dynasties increased in the past three decades, particularly the so-called fat dynasties.

"'Yun pong fat dynasty, 'yun po ay si lolo, si anak, si apo, asawa ni apo, asawa ni anak, 'yung kanya pong tiyuhin, nagtakbuhan na nang sabay-sabay," said ASOG Dean Ronald Mendoza.

"Pagka nagsabay-sabay sila sa panunungkulan, humihina 'yung tinatawag natin sa demokrasya na checks and balances," he said.

Simbulan said some people vote for political families because they believe policies will have continuity that way.

Based on the ASOG study, 80% of governors elected in 2019 are from fat dynasties compared to only 57% in 2004. For vice governors, 68% come from dynasties in 2019 compared to 54% in 2004.

For mayors and vice mayors, 53% and 39% are members of fat dynasties in 2019 compared to 40% and 28% in 2004.

Congressmen from fat dynasties, meanwhile, increased from 48% in 2004 to 67% in 2019.

"Napakahirap na nga nilang talunin. Minsan pa nga wala silang kalaban, nag-usap-usap na sila bago mag eleksyon," Mendoza said.

—MGP, GMA News