Breaking the Dynasty Grip: How Progressive Political Forces Challenged and Defeated a Longstanding Political Dynasty in the 2022 Mayoral Election in Silang, Cavite

Abstract

Political dynasties have been a longstanding issue in the Philippines, with their detrimental effects on the social, economic, and political systems becoming increasingly evident. While existing research focuses on their persistence and economic implications, there is a gap in understanding how these dynasties are challenged and defeated. This paper seeks to address this gap by exploring the case of a Silang, Cavite mayor who won against a political dynasty in local elections. With the question, ‘How do political dynasties end?’, the study aims to analyze the roles of the political actor, civil society organizations, voters, and broader socio-political factors in toppling dynasties. Grounded in Hara’s (2019) theory of local progressive politics, the study employs resource mobilization, rational choice, and political leadership frameworks. A phenomenological approach with a combination of KII, IDI, and thematic analysis was used. Findings revealed the defeat of the political dynasty was a result of the political will and positive characteristics of the political actor as opposed to the dynasty, resource mobilization of political machinery for socio-political aims, rational voting, and desire for change based on past experiences, and political opportunities arising from critiques of the dynastic administration and the proposed solutions by the challenger.