Senatorial Candidates 2013

Since senatorial elections are coming up, everyone should be knowledgable about each of the candidates so that we can vote wisely.

Check out Rappler's candidate profiles here.

Reasons why Political Dynasties Remain Strong

Political dynasties have already been existing for a long time. Usually it is the sons or daughters who succeeded their father's position. Sometimes there are others who really wanted the position and they would end up killing their own family in order to rule. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines: Article 2 - Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 26 states that:
“The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law. ” But no such law has been approved regarding political dynasty due to disagreements. Currently, there are about 150 political dynasties in our country. The most popular families are the Arroyo, Cayetano, Osmena,Sotto,and the Aquino clan. Some of them have already been in power for more than 25 years but most of them failed to address our country's political and economic problems. Most people also vote for them because of their wealth and familiarity.

Realities in Politics

Politics is possibly the most hated word in the English language. Most people hate politics and government without really knowing what they are. Many different definitions of politics exist. One definition defines politics as the conflict between groups over something they both want. Another similar definition calls politics the "who gets what, when, and how."

Government is defined as the institution that has the enforceable right to control people’s behaviour. But why do people hate politics and politicians? Is it because politicians cannot be trusted, or maybe because they spend too much money? Whatever the reasons are for hating politics and government, both are needed as a mechanism for people to protect themselves. Possibly, if people developed a better understanding of politics and government, they would change their views about the subject. This could come about by looking at the various types of government and how they evolved.

One of the social problem in the Philippines is the so-called Political Dynasty. It is very rampant in most of the government positions in the Philippines. There maybe pros and cons regarding this matter but our history is replete with accounts that political dynasty brings more harm than good to our nation. Political dynasty is considered as one of the root causes why it is difficult to address the problem of graft and corruption. The prominence of many dynastic politicians may make it seem like Filipino politics is largely a family affair. Political power in the Philippines is self-perpetuating and that the presence of political dynasties does not merely reflect differences in ability across families. We define self-perpetuation as a power-treatment effect, whereby holding political power for longer increases the probability that one’s heirs attain political power in the future regardless of family characteristics. 

Philippine Politics In One Picture

Explanatory Note: Anti Political Dynasty Bill by Miriam Defensor

EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 26 provides: .
The State shall guarantee equal access to public service and prohibit
political dynasty as may be defined by law. To give force and effect to this provision, the playing field of the political arena should be leveled and opened to persons who are equally qualified to aspire on even terms with those from ruling politically dominant families.

Philippine society, many sociologists note, revolves around the system of extended families. However, this extended family system, an beneficial concept when applied to the social aspects of human behavior, finds its pernicious effects in the political arena where public office becomes the exclusive domain of influential families and clans that are well entrenched in Philippine politics. The monopoly of political power and public resources by such families affects the citizenry at the local and national levels. The socio-economic and political inequities prevalent in Philippine society limit public office to members of ruling families. In many instances, voters, for convenience and out of cultural mindset look up to these ruling families as dispensers of favors, and thus elect relatives of these politically dominant families.l

Philippine Constitution: Provision regarding Political Dynasty

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines states in Article II Section 26, 

"The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."

What is a Political Dynasty?

A political dynasty is when a group of family (oligarchy) commands the politics in a particular sector. For instance, the Binay Family composed of Jejomar Binay (Vice President of the Philippines), Jejomar Binay Jr.(Mayor of Makati) and Nancy Binay (Senatorial Candidate). Accordingly, a political dynasty has its own share of pros and cons.

Advantages

• Clear lineage of rule (eliminates power struggle)

Disadvantages:

• Absolute power, corrupts absolutely (initiate corruption, nepotism)
• Unequal opportunities for other candidates