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Political dynasties growing virtually unopposed

By JONATHAN DE SANTOS

WHO or what can stop political dynasties in the country from multiplying?

Ampatuans of Maguindanao
Ampatuans of Maguindanao

Political dynasties have been taking over more and more elective positions because there are few alternatives to candidates from powerful families, says Professor Ronald Mendoza of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM)
Center for Development Management.

Ampatuans and Mangudadatus of Maguindanao

Speaking at a forum organized by the Legal Network for Truthful Elections at the Ateneo Law School this week, he said dynasties have been winning elections because “nobody else is running (and) nobody else can run.”

He asked the audience, most of them law school freshmen, who among them were from political families and 12 of around a hundred raised their hands. Asked who among them planned to run for office someday, only five indicated that they did. A follow-up question on who were already members of a political party was met with silence and hands kept on desks.