DETERMINANTS IN ENCOURAGING RELATIVES

TO SEEK PUBLIC OFFICE

RUSSEL HAROLD P. SIROT
AB SOCIAL SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
CENTRAL LUZON STATE UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION
Philippines

is a democratic country as stated by Article II

Section I of the Philippine constitution The Philippines is a
democratic and republican state. Sovereignty resides in the
and all government authority emanates from them.

Political

dynasties does not only exist in the provinces,

municipalities, and cities. In the barangay level dynasties are
also prevalent.

This

study aims to determine the conceptual definition of

political dynasties in select barangays in Science City of
Muoz.

RATIONALE
a)Political dynasty is one of the major political issues currently
however, no law defining political dynasty thus there's no
prohibition in the Philippines.
b)This study is conducted to gain a major understanding on the
issue of political dynasty.
c) The study will explore political dynasty in the barangay level and
will determine the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek
elective office.
d)This study also aims to determine the advantages and
disadvantages in having political dynasty in the barangay level.
e)The other aim of this study is to know the distribution of power in
the barangay level and its relation to political dynasty.

Statement of the problems

This study aims to answer, what is political family in the barangay level and what are the determinants
in having a political family in the barangay. This study will seek to answer the following problems:
1.

What are the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondent barangay officials?

2.

What is the relationship of the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents to

the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek elective office.

3.

What are their concept of political dynasty among the respondent barangay officials?

Objectives of the study

This study aims to determine the conceptual definition of
political dynasties in select barangays in Science City of
Munoz. This study specifically aims to:
1. To know the socio-demographic characteristics of the
respondents barangay officials.
2.

To know relationship of the socio-demographic

characteristics of the respondents to the determinants in
encouraging relatives to seek elective office.
3.

To know their concept of political dynasty among the

respondent barangay officials.

Significance of the study

This

study will be significant for the policy makers; with this study, they will

determine the determinants on why political families encourage their relative to seek
elective office to the point of creating dynasties of their own.
In

addition, with this study, the public officials will be able develop a strategy on how

to equally distribute power among themselves without engaging into political dynasty.
Furthermore,

the study can used as a future reference on studying the

proliferation of political dynasties in the grass root level

Scope and limitation

The

study is limited to the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek elective office using the

three fundamentals of organizational behavior used by Andrew Dubrin. The 12 indicators used in the
determinants was developed by the researcher for illustrating and expounding the definition of
power, influence and organizational politics for better understanding of the respondents.
Collaterally, conceptual

definition of political dynasty among the respondents is also determined

using thematic interpretation from the collective responses of the respondents in the open-ended
questions. The responses are in Filipino, however, for the purposes of analysis, the conceptual
definition of political dynasty was written in English.

 However, due

to lack of material time and the

inability of the researcher to locate the
respondents in the barangay, the questionnaire
was not subjected to a pre-test.

The

locale of the study is limited to four

barangays in the Science City of Munoz, which
have the highest frequency of barangay officials
with the same surnames

Methodology
Conceptual

Framework. This study aims to determine the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek

elective office. The barangay officials socio demographic served as the independent variables such as age,
civil status, educational attainment, years in public office, political background of the family, private
occupation, relatives serving in the barangay, relatives serving in the city were correlated to the determinants
in encouraging relatives to seek elective office.
In

addition to this, the conceptual definition of political dynasties among the select barangay officials in

Science City of Muoz will also be determined to give light to their choices of determinants in encouraging
relatives to seek elective office.

Socio Demographic
Characteristics

Age
Gender

Determinants in
encouraging relatives to
run in politics

Educational Attainment
Years in Public Office
Professions besides becoming
a barangay official
Estimated monthly income
Family experienced in public
office
Relatives serving in the
barangay

Concept on Political
Dynasties

Data Gathering.
Data

Gathering. This study used both quantitative and qualitative

data to the conceptual definition of political dynasty in select
barangays in Science City of Muoz.

The

questionnaire developed by the research have several parts; the

first part was designed to identify the socio-demographic
characteristics of the respondents. The second part was formulated
to know the determinants in encouraging relatives to seek public
office using the indicators listed by the researcher on the
questionnaire .The third part was a series of open-ended questions
developed to determine the conceptual definition of political dynasty
in select barangays in Science City of Muoz.

The

researcher wrote the questionnaire in Filipino.

Sampling Procedure
The

researcher used the multi stage sampling method in

the study. The researcher have chosen Science City of
Muoz because of the prevalence of political families in
the city as manifested by the blood relations of the chief
executive and his vice mayor.

All

of the Barangays chosen by the researcher are

composed of barangay officials, which have similar
surnames with the other officials

Statistical Analysis.
Data

gathered were analyzed using the following statistical

tools:

a.

Frequency Count and percentage- These were used to

analyze the socio demographic characteristics such as age,
civil status, gender, educational attainment, Profession
besides of becoming a barangay official, monthly income,
family experienced in public service, relatives serving in
the barangay.

b.

Chi-Square- This was used to determine the relationship

between the socio demographic characteristics of the
respondents to their concept of political dynasties.

Locale of the study

Fourbarangays
a.

Matingkis

b.

Cabisuculan

c.

San Antonio

d.

Naglabrahan

of Sciences City of Munoz

Results and Discussion

This section presents the findings of the of the study and their
interpretation discussed:
a) 4.1

Socio Demographic Characteristics

b) 4.2

Relationship of Barangay Officials

c) 4.3Concept
d) 4.4

of Political Dynasty

Determinants in Encouraging relatives to run in

politics

Socio-Demographic Characteristics
Frequency

Percent

4
30
2

11.2
83.3
5.6

1
34
3

2.7
94.4
8.1

Age
31-40
41-60
61-75
Status
Single
Married
Widow

 Most

of the respondents were in the ages of 4160 (83.3%) mainly because generally most of the
leaders in our country ranges from that age,
94.4% of the respondents were married mainly
because majority of them were in the ages 41-60

Frequency

Percent

Female
Male
Position

6
31

16.7
83.3

Barangay Chairman
Kagawad
Secretary
Treasurer

3
27
4
3

8.3
73.0
10.8
8.3

Gender

 Most

of the respondents were males(83.3%) reason for this is that

Philippine politics are dominated by men.

Overall

the study were consist of 37 positions in the barangay,

most of the respondents were Barangay kagawad (73%) cause in
each barangay the council are composed of 7 kagawads, 1
chairman, and the treasurer and secretary.

The sample of the study were supposed to compose of 40

respondents but the respondents was unable to reach three of
them. The study was lack of one barangay captain, one kagawad,
and treasurer mainly because of their business engagement and
other important matters.

1 year and Below

1-3 years
4-7 years
8-11 years
12-15 years
16-19 years
20-31 years
32-35 years

3
3
11
7
6
4
1
1

8.3
8.3
30.6
19.4
16.7
11.1
2.8
2.8

 Seventy-seven

and eight percent (77.8%) of the

respondents serve the barangay from 4-19 years, many of
them were reelected and able complete their terms others
started from a small position then pursue a much higher
position, others stated that they start being a kagawad
then run for barangay chairman, other started as a
barangay chairman then became a kagawad, some started
as youth leader.

Educational
Attainment

Frequency

Percent

Elementary
Elementary Graduate
High School Level
High School Graduate
College Level
College Graduate
Vocational

1
3
5
8
7
6
6

2.8
8.3
30.6
19.4
16.7
11.1
2.8
2.8

 Most

of the respondents were High School graduates

(22.2%) reason for this is that the officials belongs to
second and third class families. while 16.7% of the
respondents were college graduates which can be
considered significant because instead of pursuing a
high paying job or position they instead to choose to
serve the barangay.

Profession
besides becoming
a barangay
official

Frequency

Percentage

ABC President
Farmer
Security Guard
Tricycle Driver
None

1
31
2
1
3

2.78
86.11
5.56
2.78
8.33

 Majority

of the respondents were farmers mainly

because barangays are situated mostly in rural
areas while 8.33% of the respondents were full
time barangay officials.

Monthly Income

Frequency

Percent

5,000 and Below

5,000-10,000
10,000-15,000
15,000-20,000
20,000-25,000
25,000-30,000

16
8
2
1
2
1

44.4
22.2
5.6
2.8
5.6
2.8

 Most

of the respondents earned a monthly

income of 5,000 and below, reason for this
is that the honorarium of the barangay
officials ranges from 2000-5000.

My family has
experienced in Public
Service

Frequency

Percentage

Yes
No

19
17

52.8
47.2

 Fifty-two

and eight percent(52.8) of the

respondents family has experienced in public
service, stated that they have relatives that serve
in the barangay as Barangay Chairman,
kagawad, treasurer others said that their family
was joining activities in the barangay.

4.2 Relationship with the Barangay Officials

Relatives serving
in the barangay

Frequency

Percentage

Yes
No

19
17

52.8
47.2

Relationship with
the Barangay
Officials

Frequency

Percent

Missing
None
Brother in Law
Sister in Law
Cousin
Nephew/Niece
Sibling
Uncle/Auntie
Spouse

2
8
2
1
17
3
4
4
2

5.56
22.22
5.56
2.78
47.22
8.33
11.11
11.11
5.56

 The

table contains the relationship of the selected

barangay officials to the other selected officials of the
barangay and the relationship of barangay officials to
the city officials or employees.

The result showed that majority of the barangay

officials have relatives serving also in the barangay
(77.8%) while only 8% states that they have no
relatives serving in the barangay.

 The

researcher was able to trace their relationship

for possessing the same surnames. In Barangay
Matingkis, most of the barangay officials there were
cousins, the Barangay Chairman and one of the
kagawad with similar surnames were cousins, while
two of the kagawads that has similar surnames were
cousins.

The result showed that majority of the barangay

officials have relatives serving also in the barangay it
means that a large percentage of barangay officials
in the locale of the study are relatives in various
degree of consanguinity and affinity.

Concept on Political Dynasties

Responses of the Barangay Officials on their concept of political dynasty

Response
Family Rule
Public Service
Power

Frequency
19
8
4

Percent
61.3
25.8
12.9

Table shows the various responses of the respondents on the open-ended question
regarding their concept of political dynasty. The researcher thematically interpreted
the responses to arrive at three categories namely family rule, public service and
power.

Descriptive Statistics on their stands in relation to their Concept of Political Dynasty

Frequency Percent
Nakakabuti ba ang political
dynasty sa inyong barangay?.

Yes
No

17
14

45.9
37.8

Dapat ba ipagbawal ang

political dynasty?

Yes
No

18
15

50.0
41.7

Saang level dapat ipagbawal ang All level

dynasty?
except the
Brgy.

2.8

City/Town
National
Province

2
13
2

5.6
36.1
5.6

Determinants Indicators

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree

F
%

8
22.2

4
11.1

18
48.6

5
13.5

1
2.7

2. . Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak tumakbo para baguhin ang

barangay

F
%

6
16.7

10
27.0

8
22.6

6
16.2

7
18.9

3. Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak tumakbo para

maipagpatuloy ang mga plano sa
barangay.

F
%

7
18.9

4
10.8

6
16.2

7
18.9

12
32.4

4. Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak F

tumakbo para baguhin ang katayuan %
ng mga kabarangay.

8
21.6

6
16.2

7
18.9

9
24.3

6
16.2

Power
1.Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak tumakbo para sa puder sa
barangay.

Depends Agree
on the
situation

Strongly
Agree

Determinants Indicators

Strongly
Disagree

Disagree Depends on Agree

the
situation

Strongly
Agree

5. . Hinihikayat ang mga kamag- F

anak tumakbo para hikayatin ang %
mga tao sa paniniwalang pulitikal

9
24.3

9
24.3

16
43.2

3
81

0
.0

6. . Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak para matutong mamuno.

8
21.6

5
13.5

8
21.6

10
27.0

5
13.5

4
10.8

6
16.2

4
10.8

13
35.1

8
21.6

5
13.5

6
16.5

7
18.9

13
35.1

5
13.5

7. Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak para sa respeto.

F
%
F
%

8.Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak

tumakbo para bigyan inspirasyon F
%
ang mga taga barangay..

Determinants Indicators

Organizational Politics
9. Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak na tumakbo para sa pabor
ng nanunungkulan sa munisipyo.

Strongly Disagree Depends

Disagree
on the
situation
F
%

9
24.3

9
24.3

13
35.1

Agree

Strongly
Agree

3
8.1

1
2.7

5
13.5

2
5.4

10.Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak tumakbo para lumawak ang

koneksyong pulitikal.

F
%

12
32.4

11
29.7

7
18.9

11. Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak tumakbo mapalapit sa tao. .

F
%

9
24.3

8
21.6

6
16.2

5
13.5

7
18.9

12. Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak na tumakbo upang

maihanda ang sarili sa pagtakbo
sa mga susunod na eleksyon. .

F
%

11
29.7

6
16.2

12
32.4

5
13.5

2
5.4

Frequency Table of Determinants in Encouraging relatives in terms of Power, Influence and Organizational Politics

Depends
Stron
Strongly
Agre
Disagree on the
gly
Disagree
e
situation
Agree
Power

Influence

Organizational
Politics

Frequency

7
19.4
5
13.9
10

3
8.3
7
19.4
5

9
25.0
8
22.2
14

13
36.1
12
33.3
4

4
11.1
4
11.1
3

Percent

27.8

13.9

38.9

11.1

8.3

Frequency
Percent
Frequency
Percent

 For

better understanding, the three determinants where given

particular descriptions by the researcher. Statements 1-4 are
descriptives of the use of power that pertains to the strengthening of
authority in the barangay. Items 5-8 are descriptives of influence or
the ability to encourage others even the person is not vested with
power. Items 9-12 are descriptives of organizational politics that
pertains to acquisition of mass base for purposes of soliciting future
votes.

 The

above table shows that among the various indicators used in the
socio-demographic characteristics, there is a significant relationship
between the socio demographic characteristics and the determinants in
encouraging relatives to seek elective office.

First,

data shows a trend that the respondents that answers that they have
no relatives in the city has a strong agreement in the three determinants.

This

significant relationship means that those barangay officials without

an elective official relative in the higher position are much motivated to
encourage their other relatives to seek elective positions other than those
with known relatives.

Second, respondents with family that has experience in public

service has a strong agreement with the indicators in the
organizational politics determinant.

This significant relationship reveals a trend that having exposure in

public service gives more motivation to barangay officials to
encourage their relatives. This might be for the purpose of either
gaining favours from the city officials and widening of political
connection in preparation to their future political bid.

This trend is associated with the Filipino culture that those who are
nearer the kitchen receive more favours than the others do

CONCLUSION AND
RECOMMENDATION
Based

on the results of this study most of the respondents were married and with

ages ranging from 41-60. Their professions are mostly farmers, because the locale of
the study is a farming village, earning a monthly income of 10,000 below since
plurality of them are high school graduates, most served the barangay from 4-19 years
and their families have experienced in public service.

Most of the barangay officials have relatives serving also in the barangay and their
relationship were mostly cousins.

The study reveals the various responses of the barangay officials regarding their
concept of political dynasty, which was thematically interpreted by the researcher
into three categories namely family rule, public service and power.

Respondents that stated political dynasty as a form of family rule

conceptualized political dynasty as a family or group of persons related by blood or
affiliation that hold various public offices simultaneously or successively.

Others perceived political dynasties as a form of public service stated that political
dynasty is a continuum in public service of a family member that is restricted by
the term of office prescribed by law and necessary to continue serving their
constituents under one platform of development.

While other respondents conceptualize political dynasty as necessary evil to

maintain power within the family. They perceived political dynasty negatively
because it promotes self-interest, greed, and monopoly of power.

The study reveals that the various indicators used in the determinants in
encouraging relatives to seek elective office has a significant relationship
between the socio demographic characteristics in terms of having
relatives in the city and family experienced in public office.

Having no relatives in the city has a strong agreement in the three

determinants, the significant relationship means that those barangay
officials without an elective official relative in the higher position are
much motivated to encourage their other relatives to seek elective
positions other than those with known relatives since they have no
influence or power in the higher officials, they opt to concentrate in their
own barangays in increasing their power and influence as well as widen
their political base. With more power, influence and organization in the
barangay level; this will give them the bargaining power that is necessary
to secure grass root level votes.

While respondents with family that has, experience in public service has a
strong agreement with the indicators in the organizational politics determinant.

This significant relationship reveals a trend that having exposure in public

service gives more motivation to barangay officials to encourage their relatives.
This might be for the purpose of either gaining favours from the city officials
and widening of political connection in preparation to their future political bid.
This trend is associated with the Filipino culture that those who are nearer the
kitchen receive more favours than the others do.

RECOMMENDATION

1. The future study is recommended which has more respondents barangays

other than four respondent barangays.

2. Future studies should develop a 4-likert point scale to measure the reasons
for encouraging relatives to seek elective office.

3. Future studies should let the respondents define the various indicators on
the determinants for encouraging relatives to seek in public office.

4. The prevalence of political dynasty in the grassroots level call for the
legislation to define and prohibit political dynasty.