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 Muñoz.

RATIONALEa)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 problemsThis 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 official’s 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 Muñoz will also be determined to give light to their choices of determinants in encouraging

relatives to seek elective office.

Age

Gender

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

Determinants in encouraging

relatives to run in politics

Socio Demographic Characteristics

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 Muñoz.

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 Muñoz.

The researcher wrote the questionnaire in Filipino.

Sampling ProcedureThe researcher used the multi stage sampling

method in the study. The researcher have chosen Science City of Muñoz 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 of Sciences City of Munoz

a. Matingkis

b. Cabisuculan

c. San Antonio

d. Naglabrahan

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 of Political Dynasty

d) 4.4 Determinants in Encouraging relatives to run in politics

Socio-Demographic CharacteristicsFrequency Percent

Age

31-4041-6061-75

4302

11.283.35.6

Status

SingleMarriedWidow

1343

2.794.48.1

Most of the respondents were in the ages of 41-60 (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

Gender

FemaleMale

Position

Barangay ChairmanKagawadSecretaryTreasurer

631

32743

16.783.3

8.373.010.88.3

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.

Length of Service in the Barangay

Frequency Percent

1 year and Below1-3 years4-7 years8-11 years

12-15 years16-19 years20-31 years32-35 years

331176411

8.38.3

30.619.416.711.12.82.8

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

ElementaryElementary GraduateHigh School Level

High School GraduateCollege Level

College GraduateVocational

1358766

2.88.330.619.416.711.12.82.8

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 PresidentFarmer

Security GuardTricycle Driver

None

131213

2.7886.115.562.788.33

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 Below5,000-10,00010,000-15,00015,000-20,00020,000-25,00025,000-30,000

1682121

44.422.25.62.85.62.8

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

YesNo

1917

52.847.2

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 OfficialsRelatives serving in the barangay

Frequency Percentage

YesNo

1917

52.847.2

Relationship with the Barangay

Officials

Frequency Percent

MissingNone

Brother in LawSister in Law

CousinNephew/Niece

SiblingUncle/Auntie

Spouse

2821

173442

5.5622.225.562.78

47.228.33

11.1111.115.56

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

Response Frequency PercentFamily Rule 19 61.3

Public Service 8 25.8Power 4 12.9

Responses of the Barangay Officials on their concept of political dynasty

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.

 

Frequency PercentNakakabuti ba ang political

dynasty sa inyong barangay?. 

Yes No

1714

45.937.8

Dapat ba ipagbawal ang political dynasty?

Yes 18 50.0No 15 41.7

 Saang level dapat ipagbawal ang

dynasty?

 All level except the Brgy.

 1

 2.8

City/Town 2 5.6National 13 36.1Province 2 5.6

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

Determinants Indicators

 Strongly Disagree

 Disagree

 Depends

on the situation

 Agree

 Strongly

Agree

 Power1.Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak tumakbo para sa puder sa barangay.

  F%

  8

22.2

  4

11.1

  

1848.6

  5

13.5

  1

2.7

2. . Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak tumakbo para baguhin ang barangay

F%

616.7

1027.0

822.6

616.2

718.9

 3. Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak tumakbo para maipagpatuloy ang mga plano sa barangay.

 7

18.9

 4

10.8

 6

16.2

 7

18.9

 12

32.4F%

4. Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak tumakbo para baguhin ang katayuan ng mga kabarangay.

F%

 821.6

 616.2

 718.9

 924.3

 616.2

Determinants Indicators

 Strongly Disagree

 Disagree

 Depends on

the situation

 Agree

 Strongly

Agree

 5. . Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak tumakbo para hikayatin ang mga tao sa paniniwalang pulitikal

6. . Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak para matutong mamuno.

7. Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak para sa respeto.

8.Hinihikayat ang mga kamaganak tumakbo para bigyan inspirasyon ang mga taga barangay..

 9

24.3

821.6

410.8

513.5

 9

24.3

513.5

616.2

616.5

 16

43.2

821.6

410.8

718.9

 3

81 

1027.0

1335.1

1335.1

 0.0 

513.5

 8

21.6

513.5

F%

F%

F%

F%

Determinants Indicators

 Strongly Disagree

 Disagree

 Depends

on the situation

 Agree

 Strongly

Agree

Organizational Politics9. Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak na tumakbo para sa pabor ng nanunungkulan sa munisipyo.

10.Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak tumakbo para lumawak ang koneksyong pulitikal. 11. Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak tumakbo mapalapit sa tao. .

12. Hinihikayat ang mga kamag-anak na tumakbo upang maihanda ang sarili sa pagtakbo sa mga susunod na eleksyon. .

 F%

F%

F%

F%

 9

24.3

1232.4

924.3

1129.7

 9

24.3 

1129.7

821.6

616.2

 13

35.1 

718.9

 6

16.2

1232.4

 3

8.1 5

13.5 

513.5

513.5

 1

2.7 2

5.4 

718.9

25.4

Strongly Disagree

DisagreeDepends

on the situation

Agree

Strongly

Agree

PowerFrequency 7 3 9 13 4

Percent 19.4 8.3 25.0 36.1 11.1

InfluenceFrequency 5 7 8 12 4

Percent 13.9 19.4 22.2 33.3 11.1

Organizational Politics

Frequency 10 5 14 4 3

Percent 27.8 13.9 38.9 11.1 8.3

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

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.

Table 4.2

Correlation between Encouraging Reasons for Power, Influence and Organizational Policies vs. SDC of Monthly Allowance,

Family that has an experienced in public service, Relatives that serving in the barangay and Relatives that serving in the city.

Monthly Income My family has an

experienced in public service.

I have relatives serving in the

barangay

I have relatives serving in the city

Corr p-value Corr p-value Corr p-value Corr p-value Power .110 .561 .206 .229 .180 .293 -.437** .008

Influence -.039 .836 .290 .086 .073 .673 -.383* .021 Organizational

Politics .001 .995 .403* .015 .057 .741 -.408* .014

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.