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- East Asia Forum - https://www.eastasiaforum.org -
Philippine election year reinvents dynasty cartel
Posted By Danilo Araña Arao On 9 January 2023 @ 10:00 pm In 2022 in
review,ASEAN,ASEAN,Democracy,Development,diplomacy,Election,Elections,Human
Rights,Media,Philippines,Politics,Poverty,Poverty | No Comments
Author: Danilo Araña Arao, UP Diliman
In the Philippines, 2022 will be remembered as an election year in which familiar surnames
dominated the polls. The Marcos–Duterte alliance in the May presidential elections has been
described as a ‘dynasty cartel [1]’ whereby the rich and powerful take turns occupying seats of
power, including the presidency.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter Sara was elected as the Philippines’ vice president
[2]. In Davao City, Duterte’s son Sebastian is the incoming mayor [3] and another son Paolo is the
representative [4] of the city’s first congressional district. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos
Jr’s son Sandro is the representative of Ilocos Norte’s first district and the house of
representative’s senior deputy majority leader [5]. His first cousin Martin is the representative of
Leyte’s first district and house speaker [6]. The Marcoses and the Dutertes are also allied with
other political dynasties like the Villar, Arroyo, Estrada and Cayetano.
To say that Philippine politics is a grand family reunion of the rich and powerful is stating the
obvious. Elite interests in the Philippine political system have deep colonial roots [7]. Spanish,
American and Japanese colonial governments between the 16th and 20th centuries gave rise to
Filipino political clans [8] that pursued their own interests. Their political power and influence
increased through the years, widening the gap between the rich and the poor as they
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perpetuated their stay in office through elections and political appointments.
As that grand family reunion [9] unfolds in the corridors of power, ordinary voters suffer from the
impacts of low wages and the rising prices [10] of basic goods and services. There is a crippling
transportation crisis [11]. The Philippines is prone to volcanic eruptions [12] and typhoons [13] —
2022 saw natural calamities that resulted in the displacement [14] of families from their homes
and livelihood, and significant loss of life [15].
The more that political clans claim ownership of national and local positions, the more they are
inclined to abuse power and engage in corrupt practices. President Marcos Jr has been criticised
for spending significant amounts of time going abroad [16] and partying with friends [17]. Within
his first 100 days in office, key officials resigned [18] due to controversies like unauthorised sugar
importation [19].
While the Marcos Jr administration is not being asked to solve long-standing problems
immediately, the first few months of 2022 were the time to provide a clear plan on how to move
the country forward. Instead, officials recommended laughable policy ‘solutions’ to the pressing
problem of food affordability.
Iloilo’s first district legislator Janette Garin said that people should start eating kamote [20]
(sweet potato) instead of rice as it is said to be cheaper, easier to grow and more nutritious.
Ilocos Norte representative Ferdinand Marcos said that rice farmers should plant dragon fruit [21]
to increase their income.
Representative Rodante Marcoleta suggested that research be conducted on astronaut food pills
[22] that the poor can take to assuage their hunger. Camiguin Representative Jurdin Romualdo
asked the Department of Science and Technology if a volcano can be punctured to avoid
eruptions [23]. In December, Department of Agriculture spokesperson Rex Estoperez said that
people are better off buying only what they can afford as the price of onions continues to
skyrocket [24].
These ‘solutions’ expose the Marcos Jr administration’s lack of a long-term program [25] to help
the poor. Officials resort to media soundbites even if their remarks turn out to be controversial,
misleading or outright lies. The Filipino derogatory term for their behaviour is mema, a
portmanteau of may masabi lang (just to say something).
Critics of the Marcos administration, including the media, are subjected to various forms of
harassment and intimidation [26]. The murder of a popular broadcast journalist in October 2022,
for example, hogged international headlines [27]. The red-tagging [28] of certain groups and
individuals persists even though the Marcos Jr administration initially promised [29] to put a stop
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to it. This compromises the safety and security of those accused of having links with communist
and terrorist groups.
Fighting back [30] has become the ‘new normal’ as concerned journalists and media workers take
the government to task for its failure to protect basic freedoms, including press freedom and
freedom of expression [31]. Educators, for their part, attempt to distort Philippine history by
deodorising the evils of Martial Law [32]. Human rights defenders continue to criticise Marcos Jr
for violations of the people’s basic rights, even bringing these violations to the attention of the
United Nations [33].
Resistance from various sectors had some gains in 2022. For example, three activists were
released from detention [34] after three years, reuniting with their families and friends in time for
Christmas. Public outcry was key to speeding up an investigation into the killing [35] of a hard-
hitting broadcast journalist, even though high-ranking government officials are among those
accused. The challenge remains to sustain these gains as new problems arise, overshadowing or
further complicating long-standing ones.
The year 2022 is not only an election year in the Philippines but also a reflection of the unending
social crises exacerbated by the return of the dictator’s son. The Marcos-Duterte alliance and
other political dynasties consolidate their power and influence through a dynasty cartel, all at the
expense of the people they vow to serve. As expected, resistance continues as the suffering
persists.
Danilo Araña Arao is Associate Professor at the Department of Journalism, the University of the
Philippines Diliman, Special Lecturer at the Department of Journalism, the Polytechnic University
of the Philippines Santa Mesa, Associate Editor at Bulatlat Multimedia and Editor at Media Asia.
Twitter [36]
Facebook [37]
Reddit [38]
LinkedIn [39]
Pocket [40]
Email [41]
Print [42]
Article printed from East Asia Forum: https://www.eastasiaforum.org
URL to article: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/09/philippine-election-year-
reinvents-dynasty-cartel/
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URLs in this post:
[1] dynasty cartel: https://www.cjr.org/the_media_today
/marcos_philippines_election_media_tiktok.php
[2] vice president: https://thediplomat.com/2022/06/sara-duterte-carpio-sworn-in-as-
philippines-vice-president/
[3] mayor: https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/local-government/incoming-mayor-
sebastian-duterte-eyes-continuity-vows-to-ensure-food-security/
[4] representative: https://www.congress.gov.ph/members/search.php?id=duterte
[5] senior deputy majority leader: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1179823
[6] house speaker: https://www.congress.gov.ph/leaders/?l=speaker
[7] deep colonial roots: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10308-003-0061-9
[8] Filipino political clans: https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/opinion/political-
dynasties-in-the-philippines-a00293-20190516
[9] grand family reunion: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/05/15/despite-huge-
victory-bongbong-underwhelms/
[10] low wages and the rising prices: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022
/7/12/Bongbong-Marcos-admin-top-concerns-2022-survey.html
[11] transportation crisis: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/07/26/2198074
/marcos-mum-short-term-plans-commuters-mobility-groups-say
[12] volcanic eruptions: https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2022/10/philippines-
increased-volcanic-activity-ongoing-at-mayon-volcano-in-albay-province-as-of-oct-17-
update-1
[13] typhoons: https://www.worlddata.info/asia/philippines/typhoons.php
[14] displacement: https://phys.org/news/2022-08-storm-thousands-displaced-
philippines.html
[15] significant loss of life: https://www.npr.org/2022/10/30/1132662861/philippines-
tropical-storm-nalgae-mudslide
[16] going abroad: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1674173/critics-hit-marcos-trip-to-
singapore-on-f1-weekend
[17] partying with friends: https://ph.news.yahoo.com/marcos-parties-like-1999-amid-
inflation-235040224.html
[18] resigned: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/10/06/2214726/after-
series-resignations-first-100-days-are-cracks-emerging-marcos-unity
[19] unauthorised sugar importation: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/08
/30/2206139/senate-probe-sugar-fiasco-officials-say-marcos-initially-did-not-
oppose-sugar-importation
[20] start eating kamote: https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/25/this-solon-wants-you-to-
ditch-rice-fries-for-kamote-heres-why/
[21] plant dragon fruit: https://verafiles.org/articles/vera-files-fact-sheet-can-dragon-
fruit-serve-as-an-alternate-crop-for-rice
[22] astronaut food pills: https://opinion.inquirer.net/159565/astronaut-food-pill-
proposal-absurd-dehumanizing
[23] punctured to avoid eruptions: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1702689/solon-to-
science-secretary-can-a-volcano-be-punctured
[24] skyrocket: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/855682
/shocked-at-onion-prices-da-says-don-t-buy-a-whole-kilo/story/
[25] long-term program: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/07/06/another-golden-
age-of-growth-in-the-philippines/
[26] harassment and intimidation: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2022/10/10/press-
freedom-under-bongbong-is-fake-news/
[27] hogged international headlines: https://globalnation.inquirer.net/207529/foreign-
nations-express-grave-concern-on-broadcaster-percy-lapid-slay
[28] red-tagging: https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2022/08/21/469550
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/analysts-red-tagging-continues-with-marcos/
[29] promised: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1609015/as-natl-security-adviser-carlos-
wants-red-tagging-to-be-a-thing-of-the-past
[30] Fighting back: https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2022/07/25/463470
/activists-human-rights-campaigners-protest-on-marcos-first-sona/
[31] freedom of expression: https://thediplomat.com/2022/10/freedom-of-expression-
declines-further-under-marcos/
[32] deodorising the evils of Martial Law: https://www.rappler.com/nation/probe-martial-
law-whitewashing-schools-house-panels-urged/
[33] United Nations: https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2022/10/09/479462
/government-told-to-keep-promise-to-united-nations-on-human-rights/
[34] released from detention: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12
/22/2232601/reina-mae-nasino-2-other-activists-freed-after-three-years-detention
[35] killing: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/29/power-corruption-
and-fury-the-killing-of-percy-lapid
[36]
Twitter: #
[37] Facebook: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/09/philippine-election-year-
reinvents-dynasty-cartel/?share=facebook
[38] Reddit: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/09/philippine-election-year-
reinvents-dynasty-cartel/?share=reddit
[39] LinkedIn: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/09/philippine-election-year-
reinvents-dynasty-cartel/?share=linkedin
[40] Pocket: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/09/philippine-election-year-
reinvents-dynasty-cartel/?share=pocket
[41] Email: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/09/philippine-election-year-
reinvents-dynasty-cartel/?share=email
[42] Print: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2023/01/09/philippine-election-year-
reinvents-dynasty-cartel/#print
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