WITH the 2025 senatorial elections on the horizon, Filipinos clamor for new and better leaders who will tend to the needs of Juan and Juana. 

     Just this week, President Bongbong Marcos revealed the senatorial slate of his administration for the upcoming elections. A mixed bag of reelectionists, former senators, lawmakers, a local government official, and a cabinet secretary. The members of the administration’s slate form the “Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.” Although they may come from different political parties, one common factor exists -  most of them hail from political dynasties. 

     Since time immemorial, political dynasties have dominated the polls, whether in local or national government, controlling the power within the political arena. We see families running for different positions in the government, whether vying for a seat in the House of Representatives or running as a Governor or Mayor. These political dynasties have planted their roots to stay in power, ensuring that their “monarchies” will survive until the end of time. Their existence serves as a taunt on what was supposed to be a government where there is equal opportunity in politics and governance. 

     Under the 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section 26 states that “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” However, as of now, no anti-political dynasty law exists. 

     As early as the 8th Congress, legislators have been trying to introduce a law prohibiting political dynasties but still failed to pass it. Last July, Senator Robin Padilla filed an anti-political dynasty bill in the Senate, also known as Senate Bill 2730, but no action has yet been taken. In explaining its importance, Padilla cited a 2011 Harvard study stating how political dynasties can be a product of the tendency of elites to reproduce their power over time.  

     However, with the current composition of the House of Representatives and the Senate, where most members come from political dynasties, passing the anti-dynasty bill may only be a dream for now. 

     Another Harvard study shows that 50% of democratic countries have elected leaders from the same family, with 15% led by a descendant of a former leader. The existence of political dynasties allows the rise of inequality among government and politics, impacting a country's growth and development as power is only centered on a select few. 

     Furthermore, the proliferation of political dynasties impedes the opportunities for young and competent candidates from backgrounds unknown to the public. It prevents Filipinos from having the chance to be led by skilled, smart, and worthy people. 

     Although the law allows anyone to run for a seat in the government so long as they meet the qualifications, candidates from rich, strong-power political families tend to win. Instead of having an equal playing field, those from political dynasties are advantageous since they have the resources, political power, and background to dominate the polls. 

     Now that the campaign season will soon begin, we will once again see the domination of political dynasties both in the national and local government and the disparity between new candidates entering the political arena against well-established political families. 

     As we await the promise of the Constitution against the prohibition of political dynasties to finally be answered, it is up to us to vote for the right people who will tend to the least, the lost, and the last.