The Political Family: A conceptual definition of Political Dynasty in Select Barangays in Science of

Munoz.

Philippines is a democratic country as stated by Article II Section 1 of the Philippine Constitution

The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all
government authority emanates from them, people choose their leaders by means of an election. In most
democracies political dynasties are prevalent like Mexico, Argentina, India, Indonesia, and the
Philippines. Querubin (2010) stated in his paper that these dynasties exemplify a form of political elite
persistence.
In Nueva Ecija, one of the prevalent political dynasties are the Josons. Joson dynasty started
when Eduardo N. Joson Sr. became the governor of Nueva Ecija in 1959 followed by his son Tomas
Joson. The Josons ruled Nueva Ecija for 48 years until they faced a major setback Mariano Cristino
Joson(Edno Joson) was beaten by Aurelio Umali in 2007. Another are Umalis especially Aurelio M.
Umali who beat Edno Joson in the 2007 polls, Edward Joson in 2010 and Josie Joson in 2013. The wfe of
the current governor of Nueva Ecija, Cherry Umali is currently the representative of the first district of
Nueva Ecija. Other political dynasties are the Violagos of San Jose, Lacuroms of Nampicuan, Botes of
General Tinio, and Alvarezs of Science City of Munoz.
Dynasties in Science City if Munoz include the Alvarezs. Their clan started when Efren L.
Alvarez became the Mayor in 1992-2001 and in 2001 he encourage his brother Nestor L. Alvarez to run
as Mayor and won. He ran for reelection in 2004 and 2007 and he won again as mayor. In 2010 his
brother Efren L. Alvarez decided to run again as mayor and successfully won and in 2013 Nestor Alvarez
replaced him and became the Mayor again, his daughter Tequila Alvarez successfully won as Vice
Mayor.

Political dynasties does not only exist in the Provinces, municipalities, and cities. In the Barangay
level dynasties are also prevalent. There are barangays in which officials are relatives and ruled for a
longer period of time.
This study aims to identify the current political structure of select barangays in Science City of
Munoz, to know the determinants in appointing relatives in public office and to know the concept of
political dynasty among the select barangay officials.

Rationale
Political dynasty is one of the major political issues currently however, no law defining political
dynasty thus is no prohibition in the Philippines. This study is conducted to gain a major understanding
on the issue of political dynasty. The study will explore political dynasty in the barangay level and will
determine the conception of barangay officials regarding political dynasty. The study also aims to
determine the advantages and disadvantages in having a political dynasty in the barangay level. The other
aim of this study is to know the distribution of power in the barangay level and its relation to political
dynasty.
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to answer what is political family in the barangay level and what are the
determinants in having a political family in the barangay. This study will seek to answer the following
problems:
1. What is the composition of the elected LGU officials?
2. What is the composition of the elect barangay officials?
3. What are the determinants in appointing relatives in public office?
4. What is the definition of political dynasty among the select barangay officials?
5. How does the barangay officials maintain their power?
Objectives:
1. To identify the current political structure of select Barangays in Science City of Munoz.
2. To know the determinants in appointing relatives in public office.
3. To know the concept of political dynasty among the select Barangay Officials.

Significance of the Study:

This study will be significant for the public officials with this study they will develop a strategy
on how to equally distribute power among themselves but also their maintenance of power.

Scope and Limitation

The study covers the current barangay officials of the select barangays (Bagong Sikat,
Cabisuculan, San Felipe) in Science City of Munoz , Nueva Ecijaand the issue of political dynasty in the
barangay level. The study is only limited on the concept of political dynasty in the barangay level.

Review of Related Literature:

Definition of Political Dynasties
Political dynasty refers to the situation wherein members of the same family are occupying
elected positions either in sequence for the same position or simultaneously across different positions.
Analysts regard this situation as a signal of weak political competition, which can lead to poorer socioeconomic outcomes and chronic poverty. On the other hand, analysts also note that people may tend to
rely on patron-client relationships as a way to cope with their poverty, thus creating a demand for political
patrons in public office (Beja Jr.,et al. 2013). Beja Et Al. (2013) stated:
One definition of political dynasties refers to members of the same family occupying elected
positions either in sequence for the same position, or simultaneously across different positions. Another
term for political dynasty is political family as stated by Kurtz (1989) A political family exist when two
or more relatives or have held in public office if two or more families are linked by kinship, they are
interlocked, forming a kinship network.
In our country ruled by a political oligarchy of rich and powerful families, a political dynasty
refers to relatives who enjoy a monopoly of electoral political power to the disadvantage of rival leaders
and the general public. In this sense we can cite many provinces and cities and the national government
ruled by political dynasties. Anarchy of families says American historian, Alfred McCoy (Abueva 2013).
In the Merriam Webster Dictionary, dynasty defines as a succession of rulers of the same line of
descent; another definition was a powerful group or family that maintains it position for a considerable
period of time.
Political dynasties are also known as political families or political clans. These dynasties maintain
a monopoly of power over a longer period of time.

In the Philippine Constitution Article II Section 26 states The State shall guarantee equal access
to public service and prohibit political dynasty as may be defined by law. There is no law in the
Philippines defining political dynasties. Yusingco(N.D) states:
It seems that such a law cannot be enacted because the majority of lawmakers are members of
traditional political families (at least 70% of Congress members belong to political dynasties). Indeed, it
is hard to imagine these legislators passing a law that will cost them their grip on political power.
Nevertheless, there are Anti-Political Dynasty bills pending in the House of Representatives and in the
Senate.
Nature of Barangay
The barangay is a basic administrative unit and key arena for democratic engagement
(Magno). In the section 384 of the local government code it states that As the basic political unit, the
barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs,
projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may
be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled. The barangay is
composed of the punong barangay, seven sagguniang barangay members, sangguniang kabataan member,
a treasurer and secretary and other appointed officials.
As mandated in Section 17 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (1991 LGC) or RA 7160, the
services and facilities that each barangay need to provide are the following: (i) Agricultural support
services which include planting materials distribution system and operation of farm produce collection
and buying stations; (ii) Health and social welfare services which include maintenance of barangay health
center and day-care center; (iii) Services and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation,
beautification, and solid waste collection; (iv) Maintenance of katarungang pambarangay; (v)
Maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and water supply systems (vi) Infrastructure facilities such as

multi- purpose hall, multipurpose pavement, plaza, sports center, and other similar facilities; (vii)
Information and reading center; and (viii) Satellite or public market, where viable
Valdeheusa (2010) states that a barangay is a small republic. It has territory, people,
government, and, though limited sovereignty. As the home of every sovereign Filipino, its voters provide
legitimacy to government and authority to public servants on all levels. Every precinct is located in it;
every vote cast in. He also states that like a municipal and upper level government, it has also three
branches of government, the executive headed by the barangay chairman, legislative composed of the
sagguniang barangay, and judicial headed by the lupon tagapamayapa but all three are headed by one and
the same official: the Barangay Chairman. Unlike the upper level governments, there is no separation of
powers in the barangay. It is a parliamentary form of government. This explains why its leader is called
Chairman (i.e. prime minister) not Kapitan as in little commander-in-chief (head of state in the
presidential form of government}. He is a little prime minister, not a little president. Punong Barangay is
his formal title.
Appointed officials in the barangay include a barangay secretary and treasurer. In the local
government code the secretary and the treasurer is appointed by the barangay chairman with the
concurrence of the majority of all sangguniang members and shall not be subject to attestation by the
Civil Service Commission.
The fusion of the powers of the three branches of government in the barangay places this small
political unit a notch higher than the parliamentary system. In a parliamentary set-up, executive and
legislative functions are exercised simultaneously but barangay officials also have quasi-judicial powers
apart from the power to implement and enact laws (Lagman 2008).
Valdehuesa (2010) pointed out that because a barangay is a parliamentary form of government it
has a parliament called the Barangay Assembly. This assembly is in fact the communitys supreme
governing body since it consists of all the voters within the jurisdiction, the residents. The Barangay

Assembly has power to discipline or recall the chairman and kagawads for loss of confidence. It is
supposed to hear and pass upon the semestral report of the sangguniang barangy concerning its activities
and finances. It can a) initiate legislative processes by recommending measures for the welfare of the
barangay and city or municipality; and b) propose, enact, or amend ordinances passed by the Sanggunian
through the process of initiative or referendum.
When it comes to income, each barangay receives an internal revenue allotment (IRA) as a share
in the proceeds from national internal revenue taxes in the fulfillment of its functions. LGC states that
The share of the of local government units in the internal revenue allotment shall be allocated in the
following manner: a. Provinces-Twenty three percent(23%) b. Cities- Twenty three percent (23% )c.
municipalities-Thirty-four(34%) d. barangays- Twenty percent(20%).
The problem with the Internal Revenue Allotment is that the barangay and other local
government units became dependent on it. The IRA-dependency of all LGUs, not only barangays, should
be addressed. One way to do that is to provide incentives for barangays that are maximizing their
corporate powers and raising their OSR than being dependent on the proceeds of national taxes. Bills filed
in both Houses of Congress proposing to amend IRA formula to account for performance-based and
poverty indicators may provide insight on how to get incentives right for barangays (Latug et. al 2010).
Nature of position of Barangay Chairman
In the Local Government Code section 389, the Punong Barangay serves as the chief executive of
the barangay and exercised such powers and performs such duties and functions as provided by the LGC
and other laws.
According to Valdehuesa (2010) the barangay is a parliamentary form of government cause the
three branches of government was headed by the barangay chairman and in the barangay there is no such
thing as separation of powers. This explains why its leader is called Chairman (i.e. prime minister)
not Kapitan as in little commander-in-chief (head of state in the presidential form of government}.

He is a little prime minister, not a little president. Punong Barangay is his formal title. It is wrong to
confuse the two terms, using them interchangeably. A chairman presides as first among equals over his
peers, while a captain commands troops (subordinate ranks). It would be ridiculous to have a commander
or dictator rule over the sovereign citizens of a democracy or a small republic like the barangay. Before
the Local Government Code was enacted in 1991, the barangay was not a full-fledged government but a
quasi-municipal entity with no significant powers or resources. He was called Barrio Kapitan a title
derived from the Spanish Period when barrios were commanded by the captain of the Guardia Civil.
Representative Edcel Lagman states The trinity of governmental powers is vested in the
Barangay Chairman. He is the Chief Executive of the barangay; he is the Presiding Officer of the
Sangguniang Barangay; and he is the Chief Magistrate of the Lupong Tagapamayapa. In a manner of
speaking, the Barangay Chairman is President, Speaker and Chief Justice. Truly, he is the greatest
functionary.
Section 389 of the Local Government Codes states the duties and responsibilities of the Punong
Barangay states that: (a) The Punong Barangay, as the chief executive of the Barangay government,
shall exercise such powers and perform such duties and functions, as provided by this Code and other
laws. (b) For efficient, effective and economical governance, the purpose of which is the general welfare
of the Barangay and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of this Code, the Punong Barangay shall: (a)
Enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the Barangay; (b) Negotiate, enter into, and
sign contracts for and in behalf of the Barangay, upon authorization of the Sangguniang Barangay
(Council of the Barangay); (c) Maintain public order in the Barangay and, in pursuance thereof, assist the
city or municipal mayor and the sanggunian (council) members in the performance of their duties and
functions; (d) Call and preside over the sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay and the Barangay
assembly, and vote only to break a tie; (e) Upon approval by a majority of all the members of the
Sangguniang Barangay, appoint or replace the Barangay treasurer, the Barangay secretary, and other
appointive Barangay officials; (f) Organize and lead an emergency group whenever the same may be

necessary for the maintenance of peace and order or on occasions of emergency or calamity within the
Barangay; (g) In coordination with the Barangay development council, prepare the annual executive and
supplemental budgets of the Barangay; (h) Approve vouchers relating to the disbursement of Barangay
funds; (i) Enforce laws and regulations relating to pollution control and protection of the environment; (j)
Administer the operation of the Katarungang PamBarangay in accordance with the provisions of this
Code; (k) Exercise general supervision over the activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan; (l) Ensure the
delivery of basic services as mandated under Section 17 of this Code; (m) Conduct an annual palarong
Barangay which shall feature traditional sports and disciplines included in national and international
games, in coordination with the Department of Education; (n) Promote the general welfare of the
Barangay; and (o) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be
prescribed by law or ordinance.(c) In the performance of his peace and order functions, the Punong
Barangay shall be entitled to possess and carry the necessary firearm within his territorial jurisdiction,
subject to appropriate rules and regulations.
According to Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat The barangay chairman is the mayor, Speaker of the
House and Chief Justice of the barangay. He is the engineer who monitors infrastructure projects, the
budget secretary looking for fund sources from local and national agencies, the chief social worker
during calamities and disasters and the chief police who supervise the Tanods. At times, he is also the
guidance counselor who provides advice to warring couples. And he is the ultimate spokesperson of the
barangay. He has a lot of roles. Multi- faceted. And he is quite powerful, that's why he's also the Numero
Uno ward leader of politicians (Fernandez 2013).

Power of Appointment

In the Local Governent Code appointed barangay officials include barangay secretary and
treasurer. Section 394 of the LGC states The barangay secretary shall be appointed by the punong
barangay with the concurrence of the majority of all the sangguniang barangay members. The

appointment of the barangay secretary shall not be subject to attestation by the Civil Service
Commission. While 395 states The barangay treasurer shall be appointed by the punong barangay
with the concurrence of the majority of all the sangguniang barangay members. The appointment of the
barangay treasurer shall not be subject to attestation by the Civil Service Commission. Other brangay
officials appointed by the Punong Barangay shall be governed by the provisions of LGC and other laws or
by barangay ordinances (Sec. 396).

Another appointing power of the barangay captain was to appoint barangay Tanod. The barangay
tanod as a whole is a community brigade composed of civilian volunteers appointed by the Punong
Barangay upon the recommendation of barangay kagawads acting as Barangay Peace and Order
Committee. The Local Government Code provides for a maximum of 20 tanods in each barangay;
however, villages may create more as necessary in accordance with the needs of public service, and
subject to the budgetary limitations of the barangay. The Punong Barangay can designate a Chief
Tanod/Ex-O to head the group. The tanods can also be organized in teams of two to four members in
each team headed by a Team Leader (Aquino)

Importance of Family in Politics

In the research conducted by Kurtz (1989) families in which politics is a usual activity of the
members, children undergo a socialization experience which is different from nonpolitical families. He
also stated that Families with a tradition of public service develop name recognition, goodwill, and
skills, all of which are components of the state or capital which can be transferred from one member to
another.

Prevalence of Political Dynasties

In the studies conducted by Beja et al(2013) they stated that the increased income poverty does
not create political dynasties but it contributes to the expansion of the largest and strongest dynasty.
According to Beja et al (2013):
Given that the poor are most vulnerable to political patronage and manipulation as well as
practical to sell their votes, a worsening, if not unchanging, poverty would be beneficial to political
dynasties. Since the largest political dynasties would, in most situations, be the families that have
cultivated the most extensive networks of patronage, accumulated the most political and financial capital,
and have the access to the largest political machineries, they would also be in the best position to take
advantage of vulnerable economically disadvantaged voters.

Querubin(2010) stated that members of these political dynasties have a great political power due
to various observed and unobserved characteristics of the family such as wealth, talent, popularity or
looks that correlate with political success and can be transmitted across generations.

Sunico (2013) pointed out that these political families have gathered enough wealth and resources
to ensure that they win any election whether through the strength of the family name or through more
"creative" electoral strategies. And by that I obviously refer more to vote buying, strong arm coercion and
of course implementing fluffy laws and ordinances that shower gifts on the poor and less fortunate
without effectively changing their lot in life.
Center for Peoples Empowerment and Governance (2010) stated that:
The barangay is a microcosm of oligarchic politics, misallocation of resources, and corruption.
It serves as an extension of ruling political dynasties and as a base of future traditional politicians. Many
candidates for punong barangay (barangay captain) are the children or relatives of the local mayor or
councilors. It is also a stepping stone for future municipal and congressional leaders. Many members of
Congress started their political career in the barangay. Candidates for barangay posts totaling 336,200

 also receive backing from congressmen and other local politicians who seek to maintain their power
base particularly during elections.

Exploitative political dynasties are thus the cause and consequence of our ineffective and
unaccountable patron-client democracy, and personalized parties plagued by misuse of power, corruption
and wastage of state resources, and of our rapid population growth and continuing underdevelopment. We
cannot begin to change our political system that breeds these ills without basic structural and institutional
reforms, as we critics and Charter change advocates keep saying and writing about (Abueva 2013).

Methodology
Research Methods
The study is a qualitative type of research. The researcher will use primary and secondary data for
the study. The researcher will also use the analytical approach in the study.
Research process
This study will begin on identifying the problem which is political dynasty next is data collection
through primary and secondary sources followed by data analysis that will be the basis on formulating the
conclusion.
Data Collection and Analysis
The primary source of data in the study is by means of an in-depth interview. The researcher will
explores the respondents view on the issue of political dynasty. The researcher will encode the data
gathered from the interviewee which are the barangay officials and begin to analyze it for the formulation
of the conclusion.
Data Gathering
Data that will be gathered from this study are from the interview that will be used for the data
analysis in this study.

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