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Political dynasty may be defined in two ways. It is a succession of political rulers of the same line of descent as in the cases of the Yuan Dynasty that lasted for about 108 years and the Ming Dynasty that lasted for 276 years. Kingdom empires in Europe and Asia fully qualify as political dynasties.

A political dynasty may also be defined as referring to a family that establishes and maintains predominance in politics within a given territory or jurisdiction.

In a resolution filed by Commissioner Jose N. Nolledo, my esteemed colleague of our 1986 Constitutional Commission, he said  that political dynasties should be banned because they breed concentration of power in the hands of the elitist families of society, thus bringing about aristocratic and therefore undemocratic government in the national level and little monarchies in local governments.

As his fellow commissioner, I voted for and supported that landmark resolution because to this day I believe that political dynasties unduly prevent poor but highly deserving young men and women to climb the political ladder. Political dynasties spawn graft and corruption for it is a truism that power corrupts. Concessions, financial arrangements and franchises are usually cornered by few families that control political power where the terms, conditions and stipulations are usually contrary to or in violation, direct or indirect, of legal and moral canons, to the prejudice of the people and of the public interest and to the retardation if not extinction of the constitutional mandate to equitably  distribute the wealth of the Nation and diffusing wealth and political power for the common good. (See Article 13, section 1 – under Social Justice and Human Rights), 1987 Constitution.

It is clear that we are not only concerned about the equitable distribution of wealth but also we equally desire the equitable distribution of political power especially on the democratization of the election process where dynastic practices have resulted in political monopoly.

For the good of our country and for true democracy to thrive here for generations to come, let us do away with political dynasty. — Dr. Greg Tingson, ASCO, Kabankalan City