Political dynasties have long controlled Philippine politics, with powerful families passing down leadership positions across generations. Despite the imposition of term limits discouraging dynastic rule, these families have found their way around the constitutional constraints to maintain their dominance. And in recent years, women have played an increasingly prominent role in these dynastic dominance and successions.

Women in dynastic politics are strategically fielded as candidates only to extend their family’s rule. Wives, daughters, and sisters are put forward to maintain continuity when male family members can no longer hold office due to term limits or legal issues. Moreover, dynastic women are seen not as disruptors, but as reinforcers of the status quo. 

Sara Duterte exemplifies how women in dynastic politics do not disrupt elite rule but reinforce it. Sara Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, not only inherited the political influence of her father but inherited her father’s mayorship in Davao City, illustrating how dynasties circumvent restrictions to retain power. Her rise is not necessarily based on merit or independent ideology but on her family’s ability to maintain control. While her presence suggests greater gender inclusivity, it does little to dismantle patriarchal and elite-dominated structures, offering only the illusion of choice in Philippine elections.

The Illusion of Choice in the Philippine Elections

One of the fundamental pillars of democracy is the ability of citizens to choose their leaders. However, in the Philippines, electoral choices are often limited to members of the same ruling families. While voters may see multiple candidates on the ballot, many of them belong to interconnected political dynasties, leaving little room for genuine alternatives.

Women from political dynasties are a striking example of this illusion of choice. While their presence in elections may suggest increased political representation for women, their success is often rooted in family networks rather than a shift toward gender equality. These women inherit political machinery, resources, and name recognition, allowing them to secure votes despite systemic barriers that ordinary women politicians face.

In addition, this dynamic reinforces elite control over politics, as the electorate is frequently left choosing between members of the same ruling families. Even when voters seek change, their options are constrained within the same power structures. With this, elections in the Philippines often serve to legitimize entrenched dynastic rule rather than offering genuine democratic competition, accelerating democratic erosion.

Democratic Erosion Through Dynastic Politics

Women from political dynasties often become key figures in sustaining elite rule rather than dismantling it. Instead of advocating for democratic reforms, they uphold the very systems that limit political participation for the wider population. Instead of challenging the structure that prevents others from entering the political arena, they continue to embrace it in gaining their positions of power. Instead of empowering other women, they hinder the rise of independent leaders, particularly marginalized women, weakening democratic institutions meant to ensure fair representation and equal political opportunities.

Imee Marcos, a key figure in the Marcos dynasty, exemplifies this dynamic. She has benefited from the very structures that entrench elite rule and has played a role in rehabilitating her family’s political legacy. Despite her position as a female leader, she has not actively pursued systemic reforms that uplift marginalized women. Instead, her tenure as governor of Ilocos Norte and as a senator illustrates how dynastic women often consolidate familial power rather than challenge an exclusionary political system that sidelines grassroots leaders.

As political dynasties tighten their grip, democratic institutions erode, turning elections into hollow rituals that offer the illusion of choice rather than genuine competition. The entrenched rule of dynasties, women included, stifles accountability, undermines transparency, and restricts political diversity. With power confined within elite circles, governance becomes an instrument of self-preservation rather than public service.

Ultimately, dynastic rule does not merely weaken democracy, it reshapes it into an exclusionary system where political participation remains a privilege rather than a right. Instead of breaking barriers, dynastic women often become symbols of continuity, upholding structures that marginalize independent leaders. This paradox underscores a critical truth: increased female representation in politics does not automatically translate to inclusivity or empowerment. This is the gendered paradox of political dynasties.

The Gendered Paradox of Political Dynasties

Indeed, there is a growing number of women in politics but it can be misleading. While it gives the impression of inclusivity, it does not necessarily lead to greater political participation for women outside of dynastic circles. Many female leaders from political families do not push for systemic reforms that would open doors for other women, as their leadership is often shaped by familial interests rather than independent political vision. Instead of championing policies that promote broader gender equality, they tend to prioritize the continuity of their family’s political influence, limiting their ability to advocate for progressive reforms such as reproductive rights, anti-violence measures, and gender-sensitive governance.

In addition, the increasing number of women in politics does not guarantee progress in advancing gender equality. True gender equality in politics requires dismantling dynastic rule and creating pathways for women leaders based on merit rather than lineage. Without meaningful reforms, women in dynastic politics risk becoming gatekeepers of the status quo rather than agents of change. This paradox highlights the urgent need to dismantle dynastic rule and create a political system where leadership is based on merit, not bloodlines—breaking the cycle of dynastic rule.

Breaking the Cycle of Dynastic Rule

The increasing presence of women in Philippine politics is often celebrated as it may appear to advance women’s representation. However, in a country where political dynasties dominate, this shift is not necessarily a sign of progress. Instead of challenging patriarchal norms, and promoting structural changes, this phenomenon reinforces elite control while sustaining the illusion of electoral choice. Rather than expanding opportunities for women in leadership, dynastic politics restricts female political empowerment to those born into the political dynasties.

Women’s political participation should extend beyond familial succession and be rooted in independent leadership and merit. However, advocating for greater political inclusion does not mean diminishing the achievements of women in political dynasties. Rather, it is about recognizing that true empowerment comes when women have access to leadership opportunities based on their capabilities, not just their lineage. Women in politics should not just be placeholders for family interests but independent leaders who represent the broader interests of the people.

Let us break the cycle of dynastic rule, not by pitting women against each other, but by fostering a political system where all women, regardless of family name, have a fair chance to lead. We should be educated on how women in political dynasties, despite their presence in governance, may unintentionally restrict genuine democratic participation and limit opportunities for non-dynastic candidates. Our advocacy should not be about exclusion but about ensuring that power is not concentrated within a privileged few.

We must actively support non-dynastic women alongside those who rise through political families but demonstrate independent leadership. More importantly, we must advocate for electoral policies that promote fair competition and create space for diverse and capable women leaders to emerge. Only then can we ensure true democracy and gender equality in the Philippines. Only then can we move beyond the illusion of choice and toward a more inclusive and democratic society.