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Makabayan pledges to fight political dynasties

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Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidates and its party representatives signed a pledge against political dynasties in the Philippines yesterday, October 14. They launched the symbolic signing of the pledge at a gathering in Quezon City.

The pledge expressed concern over the prevalence of political dynasties in the 2025 elections. “Families, siblings, parents-and-offsprings, entire clans, are competing for elective positions and concentrating power in the hands of a few families,” according to Makabayan.

The group stated that dynasties have cornered local and national positions, preventing ordinary citizens from participating and getting elected.

A study by Ateneo School of Government professors in 2019 found that the percentage of “fat” dynasties or those with multiple family members in power increased from 19% in 1977 to 29% in 2017. In 2001, there were 1,303 political families with two members in power, 257 families with three members in power, and 157 families with four or more members in power. This increased to 1,548 with two members in power, 339 with three members in power, and 217 with four or more members in power in 2019.

At least 11 members of the Marcos-Romualdez family are currently in power. At least four Duterte dynasty members are also in power. In the Senate, six out of 24 seats are held by politicians from three “fat” dynasties.

In the upcoming 2025 elections, if the political dynasties win, nine out of 24 Senate seats (or more than a third) will be held by these families. This includes the possible election of three Tulfos, two Villars, two Cayetanos, and two Estrada/Ejercitos.

“We oppose this practice,” the coalition said. The concentration of power in the hands of a few is anti-democratic. This creates conditions conducive to corruption and serves only the narrow interests of those in power and their families. “Public service is not a family business,” they said.

The pledge signed by the coalition also stipulates a promise that once elected, no members of their immediate families will run for other elective positions, national or local. They also promised to file or support an Anti-Dynasty Bill in line with the principles set by the Constitution, as well as any initiative to ban political dynasties.

Various versions of the anti-political dynasty bill have been filed in the Senate and Congress but have been shelved from down at the committee level. This includes the version filed in August 2022 by Rep. Raoul Manuel, Kabataan Party-list representative and one of the Makabayan Coalition convenors.

“Change must start with us, the candidates. We challenge other candidates to make this pledge for the sake of our country,” the pledge said.

Makabayan Coalition also urged the people to join them in rejecting political dynasties and electing true representatives of the people’s interests, not just the interests of a few.

AB: Makabayan pledges to fight political dynasties