Metro Manila, Philippines - Philippine politics is not new to family members occupying a number of elective positions for generations, and the 2025 midterm poll campaign is no different.

Some in the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate did not go far from the practice, but the candidates dared to make a stand against it - something that they may be held accountable to when they get elected.

Eleven of the 12 candidates have at least one relative who has been in politics or is a sitting official. In the recent past, Congress has seen members of political clans in office. The setup is widespread in local politics from the governor down to councilor.

Erwin Tulfo

The Tulfo family, a relative newcomer in politics, may fall under the so-called dynasty.

Raffy Tulfo is a sitting senator and his brother, Erwin, is ACT-CIS party-list representative and frontrunner in pre-election senatorial surveys. ACT-CIS Rep. Jocelyn Pua-Tulfo and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo are seeking re-election.

Besides Erwin, another Tulfo brother, Ben, is also running for senator, while their sister and former Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo is nominee of the Turismo party-list group.

In a press conference, Erwin pointed out the absence of a law defining political dynasties in response to a disqualification case against him and the Tulfo family members.

According to the Constitution, “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."

"Kailangan pong merong batas na iyan and unfortunately hindi pa po kumikilos ang Kongreso at Senado iyon po ang sinasabi roon. Kaya hangga't wala pong batas tayo meron ho talagang ganito, may mangyayari talagang ganito," he said.

[Translation: There must be an enabling law for that. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives and the Senate have not yet acted on it, that’s according to the Constitution. So as long as there’s no law, we will really have this situation, something like this will happen.]

Asked if he would back an anti-political dynasty bill, he said, "Susuportahan? Definitely. Bakit hindi susuportahan, lahat po kami susuporta."

[Translation: Will we support it? Definitely. Why wouldn’t we support it? All of us will support it.]

Ping Lacson

For former Senator Ping Lacson, it's time to revive a bill he filed in 2016 that sought to define a political dynasty.

"Ang definition ko ng political dynasty, ang second degree of affinity or consanguinity," Lacson said. "Meaning, ganyan yan - lolo, anak, pamangkin, kapatid, whether legitimate or illegitimate."

[Translation: My definition of a political dynasty is the second degree of affinity or consanguinity… Meaning, it’s like this – grandfather, child, nephew, sibling, whether legitimate or illegitimate.]

He said he hopes that the 20th Congress will be more open to supporting a law defining a dynasty.

In June 2024, Lacson rejected the idea of his son, Pampi, running for office.

"No way," Lacson said in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).

Benhur Abalos

For Benhur Abalos, it would help to look at practices in other countries “if we could benchmark it from a law.”

"Wala hong problema, gagawin po natin ang trabaho natin," said Abalos when asked if he would support an anti-political dynasty law.

[Translation: There’s no problem, we will do our job.]

Abalos is the son of Benjamin Abalos Sr., the sitting Mandaluyong City mayor. Benhur is also married to Menchie Abalos, who was a former mayor.

Other Alyansa candidates, including Makati Mayor Abby Binay of the Binay family that has ruled the prime business district and city for decades, former Senate President Tito Sotto whose family members are in Quezon City politics, Senator Francis Tolentino, former Senator Manny Pacquiao whose family members have figured in Sarangani politics, and Rep. Camille Villar whose family has been entrenched in Las Pinas City, were also in the press conference but did not share their thoughts on the matter.

NewsWatch Plus reviewed their previous statements on political dynasties.

Tito Sotto

Sotto, who also ran for vice presidency, said in 2022 that there would be no political dynasties if there is no "concentrated influence" in a particular area.

“Let’s define it. If in one area their influence is concentrated, then you can call it a political dynasty. But in a case when one is doing this and another is doing that, that’s not a dynasty," he said in a radio interview.

Camille Villar

Villar, who is the sister of Senator Mark Villar and the daughter of former Senate President Manny Villar and Senator Cynthia Villar, said people elect their family members because of trust in their public service track record.

“Basta inihalal po tayo ng ating mga kababayan, binibigyan tayo ng tiwala [at] dapat hindi natin sinasayang ‘yan,” she said last year before filing her certificate of candidacy.

[Translation: As long as our fellow countrymen elect us, give us their trust, we should not waste that.]

Francis Tolentino

Tolentino said in October that there was nothing wrong with a political dynasty.

"The idea of dynasty... is perhaps anathema to what a democratic process is. Binoboto yan ng tao eh [People vote for them]... That’s the essence of democracy," Tolentino said.

Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao previously called out the negative labeling of political dynasties.

"Unfair naman sa mga pamilya na nagserbisyo nang tapat, malaki ang nagawang pagbabago sa kanilang lugar at tumutulong sa taong bayan," he said in 2022.

[Translation: It’s unfair to families who have served faithfully, made significant changes in their areas, and helped the people]

Attempts to ban political dynasties

The most recent attempt to ban political dynasties was the measure filed by Senator Robinhood Padilla last year.

"Given that this measure complies with the legislature's mandate to enact an anti-political dynasty law and is a step toward leveling the playing field in politics and governance, the passage thereof is earnestly sought," said Padilla, who also chairs the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes.

The Supreme Court said in 2024 that it has yet to issue a decision directing Congress to pass an anti-political dynasty law.

“These cases (to compel Congress) are still pending before the court,” said court spokesperson Camille Ting.

Four lawyers filed a petition with the high court on March 19, 2024 that asked the SC to order Congress to pass a law that will define and prohibit political dynasties.

The petitioners were Philippine Bar Association president Rico Domingo, with lawyers Ceasar Oracion, Jorge Cabildo, and Wilfredo Trinidad.