Towards a New Philippine Political Architecture

Tomorrow the Senate committees on electoral reforms and people's participation as well as constitutional amendments and revisions of codes will hold a hearing on political dynasties.

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan announced it on Twitter.

When there is a monopoly, chances are your development will not be sustainable because only a few are benefitting and that's why you have so much poverty.

Dahil dito, tayo'y magkakaroon ng pagdinig para sa mga batas laban sa political dynasties. Magkita-kita po tayo bukas 9 am. pic.twitter.com/m01HiEfNRT

— Kiko Pangilinan (@kikopangilinan) February 14, 2018

In 2013, at the height of the #ScrapPork protests, I wrote a policy brief on reforming Philippine political institutions and governance. Instituting either a ban or a cap on political dynasties needs to go hand in hand with electoral reforms that would strengthen political parties. The paper is found below and can be downloaded here. Could this be an idea whose time has come?