According to a non-profit organization, political dynasties are one of the reasons for the worsening problems in flood control in the Philippines. A hearing of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms discussed six bills against political dynasties and their negative effects, including ignoring accountability and being a root cause of corruption.
According to Atty. Michaela Defensor, co-convenor of the Anti-Dynasty Network (ADN), political dynasties cause the breakdown of checks and balances in projects. “We can see this in the flood control crisis. When the funder and the implementer are related, proper audit is lost and replaced by conflict of interest,” she explained.
Senate Deputy Majority Floor Leader Risa Hontiveros said that political dynasties are weakening checks and balances, especially in the management of public funds. She added that the multi-billion peso flood control scam, worsening poverty, and election-related killings are all linked to what political dynasties are strengthening.
The ADN study also showed that in the 20th Congress, 76% of the members of the House of Representatives and 83% of the senators came from dynastic political families. According to Dr. Carmel Abao, co-convenor of ADN, said dynasties are preventing new leaders from entering the government, thus obscuring true democracy in the country.
During the hearing, experts proposed the anti-political dynasty bill that covers up to the barangay level and limits second-degree consanguinity, including spouses, children, and siblings. It aims to promote true accountability and give capable Filipinos the opportunity to serve in government, not just based on their surname or connections.
