A new feature in the website of the Philippine House of Representatives is the Online Roster of Philippine Legislators from 1907 to present. During its launching, Rep Jun Abaya of Cavite (Liberal Party) said that it could be used to study the history of political dynasties in the country. Indeed, the database shows that local politics in the past century were dominated by only few families. While it’s not unusual for a veteran candidate to emerge undefeated in the polls, it’s quite disturbing that the winner is always from the same family. Maybe it’s the application of Einstein’s Theory of Relativ(e)ity?

It can be argued that dynastic political families also exist in other democratic societies; but the Philippines has a negative experience with the political dominance of warlord families which prompted the delegates of the 1987 Constitutional Commission to insert an anti-political dynasty provision in the new Constitution. The pertinent provision refers to Article 2 – Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Section 26: The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

Congress has not yet passed a law which would define political dynasties. Of course there are good political dynasties; but a dynasty is a dynasty is a dynasty (it’s also a TV show, a friend from East Timor reminded me through twitter).

So how do we use the new special section of the Congress website? Simply drag down the select option and type the name of legislator or choose a district, province or region. To search a dynasty, type the province name then sort the list by last name (but listing can be incomplete since some dynasty members adopt new family names through marriages). I played this game during one of those boring hours in the departure gate while waiting for my delayed flight.

Let’s start with the Abads of Batanes. Due to the long list of Abads in public service, my screencap was unable to include Jorge Abad who served in the legislature in the years 1950-57, 1962-64, and 1970-72.

Probably the most popular and powerful political dynasty in the past half century is the Aquino Family of Tarlac. Again, missing from my screencap are Sergio Aquino (1943-44) and Herminio Aquino (1987-98).

Roque Ablan of Ilocos Norte dominated the polls for forty-years

But the Marcoses are the undisputed lords of the north. The first prominent politician in the family was Mariano Marcos (1925-30)

Two screenshots are required to identify all Roxases who represented Capiz in Congress

Here is the second screenshot

The Dimaporos of Lanao del Norte. Another member of the clan is Rep Imelda Quibranza-Dimaporo.

The Ortegas of La Union are one of the oldest political families in the country. Two screenshots are also needed to identify all family members who entered Congress

Here is the second screenshot

Several families have dominated Cebu politics. We have the Duranos

The Gullas family

And the Osmenas

In Camiguin, the Romualdo family is still in power