DESPITE constitutional provisions shunning political dynasties, the country remains at the mercy and disposal of a few “chosen” families, who have lorded over places where congressmen, governors, and mayors (even in barangays) share common surnames.
Under the Philippine Constitution’s Article II, Section 26, "the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law. ”
Political families have established political or economic dominance in a province and have coordinated efforts to move on to involvement in national government or other positions.
Notable political dynasties in the Philippines include the sitting President’s family in control from the executive and legislative branches down to the smallest government unit.
In Ilocos Norte from where the Marcoses hail has Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc, son of presidential sister and Senator Imee Marcos to former husband sportsman Tommy Manotoc.
Presidential son Sandro is the Representative of Ilocos Norte's 1st congressional district. He also holds the distinction of being the House Senior Deputy Majority Leader despite his age and the fact that he is a neophyte congressman.
Ilocos Norte’s capital city has Michael Marcos Keon as mayor.
In the Visayas region, the President's first cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez who represents Leyte’s first congressional district, is in control of the lower chamber. Her wife is a party list representative.
Tacloban City has another Romualdez at the helm. He is Alfred Romualdez.
As if these turfs are not enough, Senator Imee Marcos is reportedly bent on running for mayor in the country’s capital – the City of Manila.
While elective positions have term limits, political dynasties have found a way around the Constitutional constraint by fielding more family members in power.
More often than not, a sitting member of a political clan gets to be replaced by the spouse, son, daughter, brother, or sister, if only to retain full control over what could best be referred to as their kingdom.
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