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The Philippines
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Is Philippine speaker’s anti-dynasty push ‘just lip service’?

Critics urge Faustino “Bojie” Dy III to make good on his pledge and help break the stranglehold political dynasties have on Philippine politics

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Members of the Marcos and Duterte political clans, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (third from right) and his sister Senator Imee Marcos (left), former leader Rodrigo Duterte (centre) and his daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio (second from left). Photo: AP
Raissa Robles
The new speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives has pledged to push through a long-stalled law banning political dynasties – despite hailing from one of the country’s most prominent clans and sharing the chamber with multiple relatives.

Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, elected speaker in September with near-unanimous support, told lawmakers on November 11 that he would prioritise legislation to finally implement the constitution’s ban on dynasties.

Observers say the move could address public outrage over the ongoing ghost projects investigation while also shifting the political calculus among factions aligned with President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr before the 2028 elections.
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Political dynasties have long dominated Philippine politics, with families controlling governorships, congressional districts and city halls across much of the country – a system rooted in local patronage networks and vast family-owned business interests.

The 1987 constitution mandates a ban on dynasties but leaves the details to Congress, which has never enacted the enabling law.

Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, the new speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives. Dy’s son and nephew sit with him in the House, while several relatives occupy elected positions in Isabela province. Photo: Handout
Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, the new speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives. Dy’s son and nephew sit with him in the House, while several relatives occupy elected positions in Isabela province. Photo: Handout

But Dy’s call to “confront an issue enshrined in our constitution” received only tepid applause – and no small measure of scepticism.

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