The Cosmic Slidework of Philippine Politics: Why “Influence” is Fluid, Fat, and Flawed [a reflection]

The ultimate driver of Philippine political dynasties is the ancient, literal definition of “influence”—an invisible, unyielding fluid that flows from above to manipulate everyone below.

Instead of stars and planets directing human destiny, the modern Philippine landscape features political clans acting as the celestial bodies. They pour resources and power onto a compromised electorate. Despite landmark progress like the House passing the Anti-Political Dynasty Act on the Second Reading, these family networks systematically exploit structural loopholes. They convert public funds into private capital.

This phenomenon is clear when analyzed through the Dream, Experience, Achieve, and Reflect (DEAR) framework. This lens reveals the mechanisms that perpetuate dynastic rule and hinder comprehensive reform.

Etymology vs. “Ethiomology”

Etymologically, the word “influence” stems from the Latin influentia, meaning “a flowing in.” In medieval times, it described an ethereal, invisible fluid emanating from the stars that altered human destiny.

In the Philippines, this has mutated into a localized “ethiomology”—a blend of ethical manipulation and etiology (the study of causes). Here, “influence” behaves exactly like its old definition:

The Fluid Flow: Power flows down from an elite family.
The Invisible Hold: The mechanism relies on unspoken patronage, not physical force.
The Familial Pandemic: Like its linguistic cousin influenza, dynastic influence spreads rapidly across local governments.

How Dynasties Take Advantage

Published academic research details how political clans exploit this fluid framework. According to a seminal study from the Ateneo Policy Center, congressional seats held by “fat dynasties” (families with multiple members simultaneously in office) grew from 48% in 2004 to roughly 67% by 2019.

[Dynastic Incumbency] ──> [Control of Public Resources] ──> [Patronage/Clientelism] ──> [Electoral Advantage]

The system operates via a continuous loop:

Incumbency Advantage: Barely winning an election makes a family five times more likely to retain that office in future cycles.
Resource Monopolization: Clans channel state funding to eliminate open electoral competition.
Weakened Accountability: A family member serving as congressperson secures the budget, while their relative serving as mayor implements the project. This structure eliminates institutional checks and balances.

The DEAR Framework: Implementation vs. Execution

The path to dismantling these oligarchies often stalls within the DEAR (Dream, Experience, Achieve, Reflect) loop. Structural trade-offs frequently halt meaningful execution.

The Ultimate Trade-Off

The core issue of the Philippine political ecosystem rests on a difficult trade-off: procedural democracy vs. substantive democracy. The country holds regular elections, but voters often choose between familiar family names rather than competing political platforms.

Until structural reforms level the playing field, the political fluid will continue to flow from the top down, keeping the system entrenched.

The ‘dirty’ fluid that floods the poor drowns us in survival mode so that any ‘bullsh!t’ pouring from above is ‘utang na loob’ even the fund came from our hard earned tax.

Unless, these ‘celestial’ and out of reach politicians experience the same survival mode being pushed at the edge of no return or extinction, the loop stays the same.

Unless the structure that ends the loop is understood and implemented, influence serves only perpetual dynastic enrichment.

All because of the illusion, they are above of us all.