Same old names

 

We may have new names who filed their certificates of candidacy for various positions at the Commission on Elections the past week, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be the same political dynasties that are likely to win come Election Day,

It's power politics, or elite democracy, that's going to be at work here in 2016, despite the entry of some new faces in the political landscape.

There's the wife, son, daughter and nephew of a former president all running in the May 2016 elections.

Another high-profile dynasty has ruled the city of Makati for nearly three decades.

Another prominent political family is fielding candidates in San Juan City.

It’s at the local level that many political dynasties are expected to rule the roost and keep their hold on power. In many provinces, members of the same family often take turns holding various positions.

The Constitution frowns on political dynasties and guarantees equal opportunities for public office. While there have been proposed bills seeking to ban political dynasties,  these have languished in the archives because many of the members of the legislature are—you guessed it—heirs of political families who do not want to shoot themselves in the foot. 

Image by  emongsjournals.blogspot.com