article1

Political Dynasties in the Philippines

Definition

• Political Dynasties: Situations where members of the same family occupy elected positions either in sequence or simultaneously across different positions.

Dominance in Governance

• Political dynasties have governed much of the Philippines since the 1960s.

• Research Findings by Dean Ronald Mendoza:

  • 75% of district representatives, 85% of governors, and 66.67% of mayors are considered dynastic.

  • Political dynasties dominate major political parties.

  • Candidates from political dynasties have significantly larger winning ratios compared to non-dynastic candidates.

• These figures are based on analyses of the 16th Congress and local elections in 2013.

Socio-economic Impacts

• Prevalence of political dynasties is associated with:

  • Increasing political inequality.

  • Deterioration of socio-economic outcomes.

• Concentration of power within dynasties hinders quality candidates from entering public service.

• Distinction between "fat" (stronger) and "thin" (weaker) dynasties.

  • Impact: "Fat dynasties" destroy democratic checks and balances and redirect resources favorably towards locations where relatives hold power.

• Conclusion by Dean Mendoza: "The fatter the dynasty, the poorer the community."

Relationship Between Poverty and Political Dynasties

• Study titled "Political Dynasties and Poverty: Resolving the 'Chicken or the Egg' Question":

  • Findings suggest:

    • Poverty entrenches political dynasties.

    • Less evidence indicates political dynasties cause poverty.

Poverty Incidence in the Philippines

Current Status

• Despite moderate economic growth, poverty levels remain high relative to neighbors (from 41% in the 1980s to 22.4% in 2023).

• Self-assessment by the population:

  • Nearly 50% rate themselves as poor.

  • Around 30% consider themselves close to poverty.

• Among ASEAN countries, as of 2021, the Philippines ranked third in poverty incidence at 18.1%.

  • Comparative statistics:

    • Laos: 18.3%

    • Myanmar: 24.8%

    • Other ASEAN countries: below 10%.

Influences on Poverty Reduction

• Steven Radelet in "The Great Surge":

  • Highlights a global decline in extreme poverty since the early 1990s, primarily attributed to China's economic policies.

  • Example:

    • China reduced extreme poverty from 838 million (84% of its population) in 1981 to 84 million (6%) by 2011.

Governance and Legislative Failure

• Continued high poverty rates can be seen as a governance failure by political leaders, predominantly from dynasties.

• Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits political dynasties but lacks effective legislation against them, reflecting the dynastic control of Congress for 36 years.

Legislative Challenges

The Daunting Task of Legislation

• Both the Senate and House of Representatives are dominated by political dynasties, complicating efforts to legislate against them.

• Calls for accountability from legislative bodies regarding their failure to address the needs of the Filipino people.

The Negative Impact of Political Dynasties on Governance and Society in the Philippines

Definition & Context

Political dynasties refer to scenarios where family members sequentially or simultaneously hold elected positions. These dynasties have significantly influenced Philippine politics since the 1960s. A large portion of candidates in political parties belong to these families, indicating their strong grip on power and resources.

Dominance in Governance

Research conducted by Dean Ronald Mendoza shows striking statistics: 75% of district representatives, 85% of governors, and 66.67% of mayors in the Philippines are from political dynasties. The data reveals that dynastic candidates possess a much higher probability of winning elections, reflecting their substantial influence over political machinery. The competition faced by non-dynastic candidates further illustrates the difficulty of breaking the cycle of inherited political power.

Socio-economic Impacts

The prevalence of political dynasties correlates with deepening political inequality and declining socio-economic outcomes. Their control impedes qualified individuals from entering public service, resulting in a concentration of power that hinders democratic processes. Dean Mendoza distinguishes between "fat" (stronger) and "thin" (weaker) dynasties, arguing that "fat dynasties" destroy democratic checks and balances while reallocating resources to areas where their relatives hold influence. This dynamic has a devastating impact, as Mendoza concludes, "The fatter the dynasty, the poorer the community."

Relationship Between Poverty and Political Dynasties

A study titled "Political Dynasties and Poverty: Resolving the 'Chicken or the Egg' Question" suggests that while poverty may perpetuate political dynasties, there is less evidence to support that dynasties themselves cause poverty. This relationship illustrates the complexities of governance where socio-economic factors are intertwined with political structures.

Poverty Incidence in the Philippines

The Philippines faces a significant poverty challenge, with rates hovering around 22.4% in 2023, despite moderate economic growth. Self-assessments indicate that almost 50% of the population views themselves as poor. In comparison to its ASEAN neighbors, the Philippines ranks third in poverty incidence, with figures revealing a concerning status versus other countries like Laos and Myanmar.

Influences on Poverty Reduction

In "The Great Surge," Steven Radelet highlights a global reduction in extreme poverty since the 1990s, primarily due to transformative economic policies in China. For context, China managed to reduce extreme poverty from 838 million (84% of its population in 1981) to just 84 million (6%) by 2011. This indicates a successful governance model in poverty alleviation that contrasts starkly with the continuing high poverty rates in the Philippines.

Governance and Legislative Failure

The ongoing high rates of poverty can be viewed as a failure of governance by political leaders predominantly from dynasties. The Philippine Constitution (Article II, Section 26) prohibits political dynasties but lacks effective enforcement or legislation against them, highlighting a significant gap where Congress has entrenched itself in dynastic control for the past 36 years.

Legislative Challenges

Both the Senate and House of Representatives are predominantly composed of members from political dynasties, complicating efforts to legislate against them. Accountability calls for these legislative bodies reflect their failure to address the pressing needs of the Filipino populace, resulting in a stalemate on crucial issues such as poverty and governance reform.