Political families of the Philippines

Nearly 250 Political families, labeled as "political dynasties in the Philippines", control the politics of all 82 provinces of Philippines at all levels. The rise of "taipans", the cartel of mixed political and business oligarch families which control the politics and own various crony capitalist businesses, has reshaped political alliances, with approximately 234 dynastic families winning positions in the 2019 midterm elections. They usually have a strong, consolidated support base concentrated around the province in which they are dominant. Members of such dynasties usually do not limit their involvement to political activities, as they participate in business and cultural activities to maximize their share in the political spoils. By 2025, Philippine politics exhibits a marked increase in dynastic control, with approximately 80% of provincial governors belonging to "fat dynasties", up from 57% in 2004. Similarly, dynastic representation in the House of Representatives has risen to 67% from 48% in 2004, and mayoral posts held by dynasties increased to 53% from 40%. In the 2022 Senate elections, at least 12.5% (3) leading candidates had relatives already in the 24 seat chamber. Notably, 4.5% (800 out of 18,000) positions contested had single candidates from warlord political clans against whom no one dared to contest.

Political dynasties in Philippines has significantly caused poverty, while openly engaging in the conflict of interest, rampant political corruption, nepotism, self-perpetuating cronyism, massive human rights violations, collective narcissism, blatent multi-party political scams and scandals, and rise in brazen crimes such as the extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances, yet they continue to thrive with impunity by violating conflict of interest and undermining the criminal justice system because these political dynasties exercise significant control over the police, prosecution, judiciary and jail facilities and other public resources. Although, political dynasties are explicitly prohibited by the 1987 Constitution only at the lowest level of local governance, such as the members of the youth-oriented Sangguniang Kabataan and under the Bangsamoro Electoral Code, the political dynasties at all other level of governance have been rampantly thriving despite the negative reaction of the populace towards them and their association with corruption. Notable "fat political dynasties in Philippine" (with more than one family member simultaneously grabbing political positions), among others, include the Marcoses and cronies, Aquinos, Dutertes, Roxases, Estradas, Ampatuans, etc. More "fat dynasties" lead to more poverty.

Anti-dynasty movements fighting against the curse of political dynasties include the Movement Against Dynasties (MAD) and the Anti-Dynasty Movement (ANDAYAMO) by the civil society organizations, and other efforts include the filing of Supreme Court petition by lawyers from the University of the Philippines to compel Congress to pass a law banning political dynasties. Numerous anti-political dynasty laws proposed over the years by the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, Gabriela, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Anakpawis and Kabataan partylists, Erlinda Santiago, and many others, have been systematically overlooked since 1987 by the Congress dominated by political dynasties.