The Seven Secrets of Building Political Dynasties

In this article, let us examine how politicians perpetuate themselves in power. Because in the world of politics there is no such thing as public service, its public serves. We serve our political masters and not public servants serving us.


"The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” Article II Section 26 of the Philippine Constitution

The First Baron Acton has uttered this famous line more than a century ago, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

And now, it is still resonating in our political landscape and many of our known politicians are trying to perpetuate their places in history as "benevolent politicians" who are trying to help the poor and to serve their constituents.

Once in power, though many want to have honest-to-goodness reforms, they try to recoup their financial losses during their electoral campaign by "milking the cow" and "repay friends and supporters" through government appointments. And in some way transform politics into a cottage family business, politely known as "Kapamilya, Inc."

Daddy Governor tells favorite Board Member Hijo to run his post as Daddy runs for Congress while Mommy runs for Mayor. Uncle Congressman will run for another term while Auntie Councilor runs for Provincial Board Member. Cousin Congressman wants to run for the Senate while Grand Old Lolo takes his chances on the Presidency.

The politicians who claim to be clean and morally upright are the same people who violate the laws they made. From posting unauthorized posters on non-designated areas to blatant electioneering. How much more if they are in power already? Stealing public money and just plain-old lame-duck incompetence in their term of office?

In this article, let us examine how politicians perpetuate themselves in power. Because in the world of politics there is no such thing as public service, its public serves. We serve our political masters and not public servants serving us.

Political dynasties that have lasted so long in local and national politics have gained wealth and power through the years of "public service." And of course with great wealth, they have a sustainable economic base to finance their numerous local and national electoral campaigns.

Aside from gaining wealth in the political hierarchy, many of these political dynasties have expanded their own businesses from real estate to various industries. Once you are in power, you have an edge over competitors courtesy of tax exemptions and government protection. Even the business of racketeering, smuggling, drug-dealing and kidnapping are not even spared in the political business.

Political scientist Temario Rivera, in his book "Landlords and Capitalists," claimed that 87 prominent families controlled the top 120 manufacturing companies in the country from 1964-1986. Sixteen of those are active in politics including members of the landowning elites like the Cojuangcos, Aranetas, Yulos and Madrigals.


The mobilization of people to ensure the victory of a candidate or a political family in their respective political positions is what ensures the longevity of a dynasty. Basically, machine politics involve a hierarchy of leaders that ensure the "loyalty" of the constituents. From the konsehals down to the barangay chairmen, loyalty is ensured either through benevolence to intimidation. Even the SK chairman position has now become an on-the-job training for future bureaucrats.

This system has now become a sustainable conduit for future local leaders. A particular campaign leader will mobilize people to set up posters and provide flyers to people showcasing the "accomplishments" of a particular candidate they are supporting. This network of campaign leaders ensure the loyalty of the voters.

Many of them are getting paid through allowances from congressional payroll and even taxpayers money. An incumbent politician usually gets the upper hand when it comes to electioneering like this. Sometimes prominent supporters are killed to make sure that the opponent's own network is sabotaged.

Pollmasters are also in the payroll to make sure that the votes are for his. While some politicians hire paymasters to literally buy voters going to the polling stations.

Paid men are also hired to spy on the voter support of opposing candidates. They also provide crucial intelligence to the candidate as to the community's need from classrooms down to basketball courts.

This setup is somewhat similar to the underground gambling network wherein there are hired hands who will do the dirty deed, paymasters to silence dissent and insiders to spy on opponents.

Celebrities are potential political dynasty makers because of their fame. And in recent years, celebrities have stolen the thunder out of political families. No wonder some of them married celebrities to take advantage of their spouses' star power. Just ask Ralph Recto and Mar Roxas.

In the past, hired sexy entertainers to captivate the voters. But why not marry a celebrity? It doesn't hurt if you are an iconic actor in the mold of Joseph Estrada. The late Fernando Poe Jr. would have won the presidency too. Some politicians reinvent themselves as celebrities in their own right by endorsing products in television. Famous legal commentator / television host, the late Rene Cayetano bequeath his star power to his children, Alan Peter and Pia now running for Senate seats.

Prominent celebrity dynasties are the Estradas and Revillas.

Marriages have become a political tool to consolidate power and expand one's political domain. In this case, marriages consolidate political networks and expand the reach of clans. Prominent political marriages include the Benigno Aquino Jr.-Corazon Cojuangco and Ferdinand Marcos-Imelda Romualdez marriages.

On the other hand, other marriages were made to pool economic assets together to improve their political chances. Real estate entrepreneur Manuel Villar married Cynthia Aguilar of Las Pinas. Using the Aguilar political machine, Villar took over the position held by Cynthia's father Filemon and in this setup, his businesses benefited from this political setup. Now, Villar is gunning for the presidency.



Mayhem and murder is one of the oldest trick in the book of politics. Even before Nicollo Machiavelli taught Renaissance Italy about statecraft and political machinations. An unwritten rule, politicians commit murder to eliminate their political opponents and even cold-calculated mass murder and massacre to silence opposition.

One current case is the infamous Maguindanao Massacre. Its more than just a gangland-style killing, its more than just the extermination of political opposition but making sure a political family survive and perpetuate its power.

Right now, many people are killed because of the heated political landscape or they are just poor people caught in the crossfire of clan wars. From murdering political supporters to assassinating prominent politicians, this black art is still being practiced by political dynasties until now.

Murder sometimes bring someone to power. Juanito Remulla's "Godfather"-like execution of notorious bandit Nardong Putik made him a political power overnight. This laid the groundwork of the powerful Remulla dynasty in Cavite.

Myths are transmitted because of some degree of truths and half-truths. This myths create a powerful legacy that are passed down to generations thereby creating an image of the politician as "rags-to-riches" or "defender of the oppressed" persona.

Ferdinand Marcos perpetuated his war heroism and the legendary Maharlika anti-Japanese guerilla. His false "war hero" myth helped him alot in his political career. As a matter of fact, most of his medals were awarded after the war.

Diosdado Macapagal and Ramon Magsaysay had their Horatio Alger-type tale transformed into myths wherein "a young upstart realizes his wildest dreams beyond their means." Macapagal cast himself as "the poor boy from Lubao" while Magsaysay projected himself as "the man of the people." Joseph Estrada followed their footsteps by perpetuating the myth of "Erap para sa mahihirap" because of his usual role in the movies as the defender of the poor and oppressed. His powerful charisma overshadowed his love for the good life, good food and drinks and the company of women. His larger-than-life prevailed over his wanton excesses in private life.

The myth of benevolence are rampant in the countryside as established political families give wads of cash during election season. And the ugly head behind this is the myth of ruthlessness wherein they made their own rules and maintain a sense of fear among the populace by encouraging political intimidation and murder. They want to project absolute power.

The projection of favorable media projection ensures the myth of a politician like the "sipag at tiyaga" myth of Manuel Villar. Everyday and wherever you are, people are constantly reminded of Villar's rise to power through "hardwork."
Politics is all about majority and when you are in majority, you are still bound to align with other factions. Political clans build alliances with other families and other influential politicians in an effort to serve their interests.

Being friends with the administration, serves the family well as it open to opportunities such as government funding, appointments to key government positions, and favorable treatment to family business interests. However, if you are on the wrong side of the fence you will expect losing valuable funds for local projects and being harassed by government regulators.

COMMENTS

Name

100,1,1924 summer olympics,1,1936,1,1949,1,2012 olympics,1,2014 aff suzuki cup,1,2016 olympic basketball,2,2019 fiba world cup,2,adobo,1,adolf,1,aff suzuki cup teams,1,afghanistan,1,aguilas,1,ai art,1,al-andalus,4,alan nacorda,1,albinism,1,alcohol,1,alcoholic,1,alejo santos,1,alibata,1,altered timeline,20,alternate history,34,althistory,22,american,2,ancestry,2,ancient filipino,1,andres bonifacio,2,andres bonifacio family tree,1,andres bonifacio genealogy,1,andres novales,1,ang pasko ay sumapit,1,antonio luna,3,articles,1,artificial intelligence,1,artista,4,artistas,3,asian,1,asian games,1,asians,1,ask me,6,athletes,1,automobiles,1,azkals,8,aztecas,1,bacolod city arena,1,balangiga,1,barato sa unang panahon,1,barcelona,1,basketball,11,bayanihan,1,baybayin,1,beauty,1,bells,1,benjie paras family tree,1,berlin,1,beverage,1,biases,1,bill hoyt,1,billy ray bates,1,biopic,1,bisaya,1,black and white,2,black superman,1,bombs,1,border,1,boyfriend-girlfriend,1,brain drain,2,Brazil,1,british,1,british empire,1,brown,1,burger,1,butterfly effect,20,calvin abueva,1,calvin abueva family tree,1,calvin abueva genealogy,1,calvin sweeney,1,campaign ads,1,canonigo family,3,canonigo family history,2,canonigo family tree,4,canonigo genealogy,4,canonigo surname,2,carcar,1,cartago delenda est,1,carthage,1,carthagiensis victoriae,1,cartographic history,1,cat meat,1,catfish,1,ceboom,1,cebu,11,cebu arenas,1,cebu brt system,1,Cebu cinema,1,cebu city,9,cebu coliseum,1,cebu developments,1,cebu hauntings,2,cebu heritage,7,cebu history,32,cebu masterplan,1,cebu megadome,2,cebu mrt system,1,cebu railways,1,cebu shopping malls,3,cebu sports facilities,1,cebu stadiums,1,cebu streets,1,Cebu theaters,1,cebu tourism,1,cebuano,3,cebuano spy,1,cebuano television show,1,celebrity gossip,2,characters,1,chika minute,1,china,2,chinese,4,chinese ancestors,2,chiong veloso family,1,chismis,1,christianity,2,christmas,2,christmas carols,1,christmas in the philippines,3,chronicles,4,Civil War,2,claudio,1,coke go for goal,1,colon obelisk,1,colon street,1,colorized old photographs,3,comic book,2,comic books,1,comics,1,comparison,1,conrado tudtud,1,controversy,1,corrupt politicians,5,costliest typhoons,2,covid-19,1,cuisine,5,culinary trip,2,cultural,1,cultural cringe,1,culture,1,curse,1,dall e,1,dancing sun,1,dante guidetti,1,darna,2,darna ajaib,1,darth vader family tree,1,davao basketball arena,1,davao sports venue,1,david nepomuceno,1,deadliest firecrackers,1,deadliest typhoons,2,december,1,december 7 1941,1,delenda est,1,department stores,1,developments,1,disaster relief,1,disinformation,1,disputed islands,1,dna test,1,dongmakgol,1,drinking culture,1,dutch,1,dynamites,1,dynasty,1,eddie gil,1,election,4,election ads,2,election campaign,4,electioneering,5,elections,6,eleksyon 2016,1,eleksyon 49,1,elena jurado,1,elena jurado ancestors,1,elena jurado family tree,1,elena jurado genealogy,1,elpidio,1,emperor novales,1,enrique of malacca,1,entertainment,2,epal,2,epalism,2,exotic cuisine,1,expatriates,1,fake facebook profiles,1,fake profiles,1,family history,2,family tree,6,famous relatives,1,fashion,1,fear,1,fear factor,1,fears,1,feature,14,featured,6,fernando poe jr,1,fiba olympic qualifying tournament,2,fiba world championship,5,fiba world cup,4,fifa world cup,1,fighter wine,1,filipino,5,Filipino architecture,2,filipino celebrities,1,filipino comics,1,filipino culture,2,filipino diaspora,1,filipino films,1,filipino mall culture,1,filipino nationalism,1,filipino spanish,1,filipino-american,1,filipino-american war,7,filipino-indonesian family,1,filipinos,3,films,3,finding their roots,18,firecrackers,1,fireworks,1,first asian actor in hollywood,1,first touch soccer,2,first touch soccer kits,1,food,7,food trip,3,football,5,football history,6,football league structure,2,football legends,2,football tournament,2,foreign relations,3,foreigners,1,fpj,1,france,1,FTS kits,3,fts15,3,fts15 kits,4,future,1,gabe norwood,1,gabe norwood family tree,1,gabe norwood genealogy,1,gabriel daniel norwood,1,game shows,1,gangnam style,1,gastronomy,4,gaudencio bueno,1,genealogy,8,genie,1,genie of the lamp,1,germans,1,germany,4,gilas,1,gilas pilipinas,11,globalization,1,God Save the Queen,1,goliat,1,gomburza,1,good friday,1,good old days,1,goodbye philippines,1,gossips,3,grandfather paradox,3,Guerrillas,1,guest blogging,3,guest post,3,halalan 2016,1,hamburger,1,han,1,han solo family tree,1,Harry Turtledove,2,hawaii,1,headline,13,henry the black,1,hero,2,hero obsession,1,higugmaa ang dios,1,hilario moncado,1,hipodromo,1,hippodrome,1,hispania,4,historical films,2,historical leaders,2,history,47,history of cebuano language,1,hitler,1,holy week,1,hymns,1,identity thieves,1,imperial manila,1,import,1,independence day,1,indonesian darna,1,indonesian family history,1,indonesian family tree,1,infographics,1,inuman,1,invasion,2,iron sky,1,ispageti,1,italian,1,italians,1,jai alai building,1,jai alai in cebu,1,japan,1,japanese,4,japanese bazaars,1,jeepney,1,jersey,1,jersey number,1,jersey numbers,1,jerseys,1,jesus,1,jim olmedo alapag,1,jimmy alapag,1,jimmy alapag family tree,1,jimmy alapag genealogy,1,jorgensen,2,jose rizal,6,jose rizal family tree,3,jose rizal genealogy,3,jose rizal girlfriends,2,josephine bracken,1,julian daan,1,kahadloki ang dios,1,kalayaan,1,kansas history,1,karaang sugbu,18,karen,1,kasadya ning taknaa,1,killing adolf hitler,1,kingdom of humanity,1,kjc king dome,1,kobe paras family tree,1,komics,1,kontrabida,1,korean,4,korean war,2,koreans,3,koreans in the philippines,1,krag,2,kris,2,language,2,lapulapu,2,learning spanish,1,lebron james ancestors,1,lebron james family history,1,lebron james family tree,1,lebron james genealogy,1,lebrons real father,1,leia organa family tree,1,lito lapid,1,litratista,1,living in cebu,2,london olympics,1,london riots,1,long distance relationships,1,long lost family,4,los extranjeros,1,los tiradores de la muerte,1,lost ancestors,2,lost landmarks,8,louisiana,1,love on the internet,2,luke skywalker family tree,1,luzon lumber,1,mabolo golden era,1,machine learning,1,mactan,1,maharlika pilipinas basketball league,1,malacañang,3,malaysia,1,malditas,2,mall of asia arena,2,malls,1,mampor,1,manila,2,manila men,1,manila xi,1,maniniyot,1,mariano vestil,1,marie josephine leopoldine bracken,1,marites,1,mars ravelo,1,mass hysteria,1,massacre,1,max joseph,1,mba,1,medicinal wines,1,medieval christianity,1,megadome project,1,merdeka,1,mes que un club,1,metro cebu,5,metropolitan basketball association,1,mexicans,1,mexico,1,micronations,1,midjourney,1,military food,1,military ration,1,minda mora,1,mindanao,1,ming dynasty,1,missouri history,1,moa arena,1,money,1,Morac-Songhreti-Meads,1,moro,2,mortal kombat,1,movies,3,mtv,1,mugen philippines,1,mugen pilipinas,1,murang bilihin noon,1,muslim,2,national anthems,2,national basketball association,1,national dish,1,natural disasters,1,nazi,1,Nazi victory,2,NBA,3,negros basketball arena,1,netherlands,1,netherlands east indies,1,nev schulman,1,news misreporting,1,nightmare,1,nippon bazar,1,no hablo espanol,1,north korea,1,nuisance candidates,1,occupied Japan,1,ofw,2,old cebu,25,old documentaries,1,old films,1,old parks of cebu,1,old photographs,3,old plazas of cebu,1,Olympic Games,2,olympic gold medals,1,olympics,2,one hundred,1,online relationships,1,operation,1,overseas filipino workers,2,paduka pahala,1,pagkaing pinoy,1,pandemic,1,pangasinan,1,paputok,1,paracel,1,parallel worlds,3,paras family tree,1,paras genealogy,1,pascual racuyal,1,pasko sa sugbu,1,pasta,1,pastor apollo quiboloy,1,paul john dalistan,1,paul lee,1,paul lee family tree,1,paul lee genealogy,1,paulino alcantara,1,pba,5,pba dleague,1,PBA home away format,2,pba players,4,pbl,1,pcbl,1,pearl harbor,1,peftok,1,penitence,1,penitencial practices,1,perrelos,1,personal,2,pesos,1,Philippine architecture,2,philippine arena,3,Philippine basketball,2,philippine basketball association,8,philippine basketball team,8,philippine cinema,2,philippine election,2,philippine expeditionary force,1,philippine football team,10,philippine history,24,philippine movies,6,philippine politics,5,philippine sports stadium,1,philippine television,1,philippine-american war,4,philippines,25,philippines football league,6,philippines in the olympics,2,philippines-china relations,2,phobia,1,phobias,1,pilate,1,pinoy food,3,pinoys,1,point of divergence,11,political,4,political corruption,6,politics,6,pontius,1,pop culture,3,Portugal,1,portuguese,1,prejudices,2,presidentiables,2,presidential,2,presidential election 2016,2,presidents,4,princess,1,private,1,public transportation,1,pulutan,1,punic wars,1,quirino,1,race relations,2,racism,3,Red Legs,1,religion,1,republic of cebu,1,Republic of Koneuwe,1,rizals chinese ancestors,1,Robert Silverberg,1,robinsons galleria cebu,2,Roma Eterna,1,Roman Empire,1,rome,2,royal ancestors,1,rumors,2,russia,1,sabah,1,samahang basketbol ng pilipinas,2,scarborough shoal,2,scripts,1,sea games,1,seaside city arena,1,segunda katigbak ancestors,1,segunda katigbak descendants,1,seven years war,1,shoutout culture,1,showbiz,1,si goot da wanderpol,1,sick man of asia,1,sidekicks,1,silmido,1,sioktong,1,siomai,1,siomai sa tisa,1,siopao,1,skin color,1,skin tone,1,skin whitening,1,sm arena cebu,1,sm city cebu,1,sm malls,1,sm seaside city,4,sm seaside city arena,2,smart gilas,6,soccer,2,social commentary,2,south korea,1,southeast asian games,1,Soviet invasion of Japan,1,spaghetti,1,spain,6,spanish filipino,1,spanish flu,1,spanish in the philippines,1,spanish language,1,spanish-american war,1,speaking spanish,1,sports,4,sports uniform,1,spratly islands,2,spratly islands dispute,2,st malo,1,stable diffusion,1,star wars family tree,1,Star-Spangled Banner,1,Stephen Curry family tree,1,Stephen Curry genealogy,1,stereotypes,2,street fighter,1,street food,2,sulu sultanate,1,summer,1,superheroes,3,superheroine,1,superpowers,2,supporting actors,1,taegukgi,1,taisho bazar,1,team pilipinas,1,teban,1,telenovela,4,teleserye,4,television,4,television programs,6,television shows,6,territorial dispute,3,The Guns of the South,1,things to do,1,three wishes,1,time travel,2,tomas,1,tomas claudio,1,tourist attractions,1,tourist destinations,1,Trans-Mississippi,1,tv personalities,1,typhoon bopha,1,typhoon haiyan,1,typhoon odette,1,typhoon pablo,1,typhoon rai,1,typhoon yolanda,1,typhoons,2,uk,1,United football league,2,united kingdom,1,united states,4,urban legends,6,urduja,1,us civil war,3,usa,1,valentin santos,1,vehicles,1,vicente rubi,1,video,3,video game,4,video game characters,1,video games,6,villains,1,vino kulafu,1,voc,1,war,8,war in film,1,war movies,1,war on terror,1,warrior princess,1,watusi,1,white,1,white man's burden,1,who do you think you are,9,william grayson,1,willie revillame,1,willing willie,1,wish list,1,women,2,wonder woman,1,world basketball championship,3,world domination,1,world war 2,5,world war one,2,writings,1,written language,1,written scripts,1,ww2,2,wwi,1,wwII,2,
ltr
item
Istoryadista | History Blog | Cebu Blogger: The Seven Secrets of Building Political Dynasties
The Seven Secrets of Building Political Dynasties
In this article, let us examine how politicians perpetuate themselves in power. Because in the world of politics there is no such thing as public service, its public serves. We serve our political masters and not public servants serving us.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQh0xv0vDU409NsqTpQz-TJzTAz5XMD6Tzh65kyyPdEIZlTdd4NjPdugzhG4JU1wOWeTaFQuLIoXxr_R_FSKHf96ZuxoNYzWar7N37OaNIsjchrcMtd5WsK0dDq-hHwLk-uhBdIWASGXKm/s600/politic.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQh0xv0vDU409NsqTpQz-TJzTAz5XMD6Tzh65kyyPdEIZlTdd4NjPdugzhG4JU1wOWeTaFQuLIoXxr_R_FSKHf96ZuxoNYzWar7N37OaNIsjchrcMtd5WsK0dDq-hHwLk-uhBdIWASGXKm/s72-c/politic.jpg
Istoryadista | History Blog | Cebu Blogger
https://www.istoryadista.net/2011/07/state-shall-guarantee-equal-access-to.html
https://www.istoryadista.net/
https://www.istoryadista.net/
https://www.istoryadista.net/2011/07/state-shall-guarantee-equal-access-to.html
true
2148827822363692190
UTF-8
Loaded All Posts Not found any posts VIEW ALL Read More Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS PREMIUM CONTENT IS LOCKED STEP 1: Share to a social network STEP 2: Click the link on your social network Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy Table of Content