Political Dynasties.

Last week, the House of Representatives approved on second reading an anti-dynasty bill that critics say will end up legalizing—rather than penalizing—political dynasties. It was…

The party-list system was meant to challenge elite politics. But it has instead become a bastion of families and contractors. This report provides the numbers: half of the 64…

15 political clans control multiple legislative districts in the Philippines

Drieza Lininding, leader of the civil society group Moro Consensus Group, lamented that the online discourse was largely 'propaganda,' with netizens splitting into 'Team Gandamra…

Boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao failed in his senatorial comeback, but his relatives fared better in local races. His political clan retained five seats in General Santos…

At least five members of the Plaza political clan, one of the obese dynasties of the Philippines, are scattered throughout CARAGA region. Nasipit, mayor Roscoe Democrito Plaza…

It’s the same number as before the May 12 elections. But despite the outcomes, the clans did not always win gubernatorial races with ease. A deeper study of the electoral contests…

For generations, the Cua dynasty has maintained an iron grip on Catanduanes, seamlessly passing the reins of provincial power to relatives while running key industries to boost…

The family of former President Rodrigo Duterte ruled the elections in their stomping ground Davao City, setting the tone for the rule of dynasties in the Davao Region, or Region…

The elections in Northern Mindanao or Region 10 were largely a family affair. In Bukidnon, Gov. Oneil Roque won reelection, while his wife, 4th District Rep. Laarni Roque, kept her…

Elections in Central Visayas, a theater for national endorsements that boasts of 4.7 million voters, were marked by upsets, comebacks and conjugal victories. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn…

At least 18 political dynasties won between five and 19 seats in the May 2025 elections, but reform advocates also saw encouraging signs. A few challengers secured victories, while…

After two decades, the Jalosjos political clan has lost control of Dapitan City in Zamboanga Del Norte to another political dynasty in the province — the Uy family. It also lost…

Political dynasties again dominated the May 2025 Philippine elections, but a growing anti-dynasty sentiment during the election campaign made an impact “to a certain extent,” said…

Sol Aragones bucks a husband-and-wife rule in Laguna. But there was little change in the rest of Calabarzon region, spanning Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Sugar barons and their descendants consolidated power in the new Negros Island Region. In Negros Oriental’s battle for governor, the Cebuano-speaking eastern half of the region…

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s kin dominated the midterm elections in Ilocos Norte, mirroring dynasties’ reign results in the rest of the Ilocos Region that also saw blood…

Western Visayas Region remains in the grip of political clans. Paolo Javier, scion of the Javier political clan, made a political comeback by winning the gubernatorial race in…

Central Luzon is the second most vote-rich region, but the same political dynasties are able to hold on to key positions because of the lack of challengers. Some 58 candidates for…

Gubernatorial candidate Lord Allan Jay Velasco suffered a narrow defeat in Marinduque province in southern Luzon. His father Presbitero Velasco, a former Associate Justice of the…

Across six provinces of Eastern Visayas, the same political dynasties ruled Monday’s midterm elections, affirming once again the locals’ belief that power in the region is…