Political Dynasty In The Philippines Essay

Political dynasties are formed when a spouse or relative of an official holds or runs for a seat in the government within the same jurisdiction. Spouse refers to the legal wife or husband of the incumbent official; relatives make reference to those of the official’s within the second civil degree of consanguinity. This applies whether full or half-blood, direct ascendant or descendant, legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted (Santiago, n.d.). According to Sen. Teofisto T. Guingona Jr., the Philippine government is not meant to be a hereditary business (Torrevillas, 2012). Incumbent provincial officials from the same family tend to monopolize government positions, thus, political dynasties in the provinces are getting fatter and fatter. Additionally, citizens have come to be familiar with the family’s surname, thus favoring, even granting favoritism to the said candidate; this is called nepotism. The existing Anti-Political Dynasty Act and education of voters are efforts that have been made to remove political dynasties. Prevalence of political dynasties and rampant nepotism in the Philippine provinces

The Anti-Political Dynasty Act will prevent the expansion of dynastic clans by restricting relatives of an officeholder to seek a position in the government (Santiago, n.d.). The act aims to remove ruling families from office and eventually eradicate corruption. The banning of political dynasties is necessary because it can stop ruling families with the wrong intentions. The downside of this is the destruction of political freewill of the said officials. An individual’s candidacy will be forfeited just because of his family name. The aspiring candidate would be deprived of equal access to opportunities. Also, it defeats the purpose of setting standards and qualifications to run for public office. (Cause and