According to the latest research of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), there are at least 24 political dynasties seeking to occupy at least five seats in local and national executive offices in the upcoming general elections in May 2025. 

Political dynasties are explicitly prohibited in the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Based on the PCIJ’s findings, 216 out of 253 congressional districts are currently represented by individuals who at least have one other relative previously or currently elected to public office, or hoping to be elected in 2025. Among these, 142 are running for re-election in May, while 67 incumbent officials are already promoting relatives to take over their congressional seats.   

Candidates from the progressive Makabayan Coalition (makabayan means patriotic in Filipino) have expressed frustration over what they said was “the blatant sense of entitlement and lack of shame displayed by these entrenched families.”  The Coalition is fielding 11 nominees in the senatorial elections in May, and all of them come from grassroots organizations. They have consistently called for the passage and strict implementation of a law against political dynasties.

In an interview with Maritime Fairtrade, women’s rights champion Liza Maza said: “These political dynasties are running their offices like their own personal kingdoms. It’s as if they believe public office is an inherited right, passed down from one generation to the next, with no regard for the true spirit of democracy and public service.” 

She criticized the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) for allowing candidates from well-established political clans to continue running without exercising wisdom or ethical scrutiny.

“The COMELEC should apply ethical standards to ensure that public office remains a space for genuine public service, not for entrenching family dominance,” she said.

“The COMELEC has the power and the mandate to be more than just an approving body for candidates — it has the responsibility to uphold the integrity of the democratic process. 

“Disqualifying candidates from entrenched political families will send a strong message that the country is serious about dismantling dynasties and fostering a political system where public office is not treated as a family inheritance, but a public trust. This reform is essential if the Philippines is to move toward a more inclusive and representative democracy.”

The vice-president of the fisherfolk organization Pamalakaya Pilipinas, Ronnel Arambulo, also took the Comelec to task, saying that the agency should be more proactive and enforce the spirit of the constitution which prohibits political dynasties. Arambulo is running for senator, and is one of the most active voices denouncing China’s abuses in the West Philippine Sea.

“This constitutional mandate exists to safeguard the democratic process. It’s there to ensure that public office is accessible to all qualified Filipinos, not just a select few families who monopolize power.  The Comelec is actually functioning like a rubber stamp, approving the candidacies of individuals from the same dynasties without considering ethical or democratic consequences,” Arambulo said.

“If members of these political dynasties truly want to serve the country, they can do so in other capacities. They can serve on the boards of charities or grassroots organizations, for instance; or engage in direct socio-civic action.”

Ricardo Diaz, a lawyer with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), said the problem of political dynasties is a complex one and a multi-faceted approach where a range of stakeholders such as government, civil society, and ordinary citizens are involved, is needed.

“The simplest and easiest thing to do is for our voters not to vote for them. But this is easier said than done in the context of our present society where votes can be bought for as low as P500. Those who would benefit from the status quo will take advantage of this weakness. Only by educating our people can we find a glimmer of hope in solving this problem,” he said.

Government employee Nathaniel de la Cruz said Filipinos are the ones to blame for the continued existence of political dynasties.

“We’re the ones to blame for this political circus. We’re the ones who built this culture and perspective. We’re also the ones who gave these people the confidence to run for public office even when they’re hardly qualified and they don’t know what they’re getting into,” he said. 

“Majority of us continue to use popularity, family name, wealth, and influence as main bases for choosing our leaders instead of their credentials, education, experience, track records, principles, advocacy, platforms/programs, moral compass, etc.”

Former COMELEC commissioner Luie Guia said the Philippines’ political structure requires an overhaul.

“There are more voters who are indifferent with dynasties when voting. In fact, family surnames have become effective political brands and are associated with performance and service. The void that results from a dysfunctional political party system is effectively filled by competing clans brandishing their surnames as brands of governance,” he said.

Guia said he will make a hard pass on candidates who cannot commit to support anti-dynasty legislation.

“If none will commit, I will just abstain. Voting will be useless,” he said.

The president of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, the Peasant Movement of the Philippines), Rafael Mariano, said: “Political dynasties keep their power intact through control over land, resources, and government positions. These entrenched families actually maintain the system that perpetuates landlessness, rural poverty, and social inequality.” 

KMP gave the example of the Villar dynasty which has acquired over 9,000 hectares of residential and commercial land. The KMP said the Villars benefit from government policies that prioritize urban development over agricultural livelihoods.

“They recently converted ancestral lands into 6,600 hectares oil palm plantations and other eco-tourism projects. The Duterte and Romualdez families have strong ties to large-scale mining operations and economic zones in Davao and Benguet. Thousands of local farmers and indigenous Filipinos have been displaced.  These ventures not only exploit natural resources but also exacerbate environmental degradation,” he said.

KMP said the dynasties always go against genuine agrarian reform and free land distribution.

“The Marcoses, Cojuangco-Aquinos, and Villar families, for instance, use their political power to maintain control over large estates and agricultural lands, preventing the redistribution of land to tenant-farmers. This resistance to land reform has reinforced the cycle of poverty and inequality in rural areas, where landlessness remains a significant issue,” Mariano said.

A study by the Ateneo School of Government exposed how there was an increase in “fat dynasties” from 1988 to 2019, with their presence growing from 19 percent to 29 percent. The study stated each election cycle saw approximately 170 new political positions filled by relatives of incumbent officials.

Can Filipinos do something about political dynasties?    

On October 18, a newly-formed alliance Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM, Alliance of United Citizens) filed a Petition for Disqualification against former president Duterte, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Sen. Cynthia Villar, Ilocos Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc, and Catanduanes Vice Governor Peter Cua. These individuals are the immediate family members of incumbent representatives, governors, or mayors who are running simply to replace their relatives.

“We encourage the public to file separate disqualification cases against political dynasties in their areas. Dynastic politicians can only be disqualified or removed from office if such a case is filed. Without these cases, they remain in power,” said Atty. Alex Lacson, ANIM’s lead lawyer for the Anti-Dynasty Campaign.

In the petition filed with Comelec, ANIM argued it was the clear intention of the framers of the 1987 Constitution that immediate family members (spouses, children, parents, and siblings) of a “graduating” congressman, governor, or mayor are prohibited from running for the same position to succeed their relatives. This intention is evident in the records of the Constitutional Commission’s deliberations.

Lead petitioners are bishops Colin Bagaforo and Gerardo Alminaza, president and vice president respectively of Caritas Philippines, retired Armed Forces of the Philippines Major General Reynaldo Reyes and retired Philippine National Police Major General Wilfredo Franco.

Lacson encouraged the public to file separate disqualification cases against political dynasties in their areas.

“Dynastic politicians can only be disqualified or removed from office if such a case is filed. Without these cases, they remain in power,” he said.

Bagaforo pointed out that political dynasties have turned politics into a family business. “They use government resources for personal enrichment rather than public service.”

Alminaza added: “Many politicians seem to have lost their sense of propriety.  The existence of these dynasties blatantly violates the Constitution. Checks and balances are eroded, corruption worsens, and societal problems remain unsolved. It is no wonder true and lasting reform remains elusive.”

As political dynasties continue to rule the Philippines in all levels of governance, the victims are the citizens. Their existence severely limits the opportunities for more qualified, competent, and service-driven candidates to enter public office — candidates who may have stronger track records in advocating for the rights of the poor and marginalized.  

May 2025 is still six months away, but the election fever in the Philippines has begun. Filipinos will either exercise common sense and elect the leaders they need, or they will keep to tradition and blindly vote for candidates with the surnames they have grown used to. 

Photo credit: Partido Lakas ng Masa. Protests against political dynasties.