11-05-2025
Political Dynasties Hold All the Power in the Philippines
In the Philippines, a handful of entrenched families shape public power, from the presidency down to the barangays, the most local level of government. Voters will once again be confronted with a host of recognizable names on the ballot in Monday's midterm elections. The result is a democracy built on inherited privilege, not merit.
The race is being viewed as a dress rehearsal for the 2028 presidential contest — and a proxy war between two of the nation's most powerful clans: The Marcoses and the Dutertes. Along with the Aquinos and the Macapagal-Arroyos, these dynasties have ruled the country since 2001.
