Just this May

By Michael Henry Yusingco, LL.M

A nuclear level alert should be jolting the electorate now because of the mega dynasties competing in the May election. Voters must be reminded that a clear majority of political families own construction companies. And they should also take note of the 2025 budget where public works and infrastructure got huge allocations. Political dynasties are literally profiting from taxpayers’ hard-earned money!

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism published a series of articles about this very matter, one of which showed how political dynasties are now fielding even more members to vie for public office. Another article illustrated how the party-list system, original intended to be a pathway for non-traditional political groups, is now dominated by political dynasties as well.

As of last reckoning, close to 80% of the House of Representatives belong to a  dynasty with multiple members holding office. That means these lawmakers are also related to at least two local officials in their district. And after the 2025 midterm elections, the Senate could be overrun by political clans. Even the executive branch is dominated by political dynasties with President Marcos, Vice-President Sara Duterte, and several cabinet members belonging to powerful political families.

It is hard to fathom a country of 120 million would just accept being governed by a few families. A nation borne from revolting against colonial rule and against tyranny cannot just concede democracy to a select wealthy ruling class.  At this point in the campaign period, voters need to be reminded of this foundational principle in the 1987 Constitution, specifically Article II, Section 1:

“The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.”

The continued domination of political dynasties over politics and governance has robbed the people of their innate constitutional power. These mega dynasties unapologetically spit on the nation’s proud democratic legacy. Reclaiming both is imperative. Just this May, voters ought to consider choosing non-dynastic candidates only. They should just automatically reject dynastic candidates! Desperate times call for drastic measures.

Just this May, voters should give non-dynastic politicians a chance to show they can be an improvement from the crap that gets elected every election. Take a chance just this May. No commitment as far as other elections are concerned. Let that be a matter for another day. But this May, let it be about reclaiming power over politics and governance by rejecting political dynasties at the polls.

Consider for instance the senatorial election. 13 out of 66 senatorial candidates are dynastic. Reject them outright! Arguably, around 9-10 names can also be disqualified for being too close to dynasties like most of the PDP-Laban slate, Willy Revillame, and Kiko Pangilinan. That leaves about 43 non-dynastic candidates to choose from. Voters should seriously consider intellectual heavyweights like Luke Espiritu and Heidi Mendoza.

Realistically, this proposition might be harder to apply at the local level. Local elections have been reduced to a contest between Dynasty A vs Dynasty B vs Dynasty C. Not surprisingly, this lack of genuine electoral competition has generated a profound sense of helplessness amongst the polity. “Wala na bang iba?” is the question many folks are asking. Answering it, however, will require more than just being active come election time.

At the local level, the best that voters can do this May is to stop thinking and behaving like political spectators and passive recipients of ayuda. This is the best time to accept the fact that citizens have a stake in ensuring the government stays true and right. Dynastic politicians in government will abuse their post if they are left to their own devices after the election. The people must adopt an unforgiving mentality and this must be displayed from the campaign period to the next election.

Allowing mega political dynasties to lord over politics and governance will be the death of democracy. Filipinos will be slaves once more to the whims and caprices of a political and economic elite. Just like colonial times and the Marcos dictatorship. The canary is on its last breath. Voters must really fight back. Even if just this May. [Insert sad emoji.]