Shun political dynasties in polls, CBCP tells voters

Prelates petition Comelec to disqualify political scions

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged voters to shun members of political dynasties running in the May 2025 midterm elections, saying their candidacies contribute to the erosion of democratic principles in the country.

In a radio interview on Sunday, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of CBCP’s Commission on Laity, said the power to end political dynasties once and for all is in the hands of the voting public.

“What we can do as voters is to be discerning. When we know that the candidates are relatives, son, daughter, spouse of the incumbent, let us not vote for them,” the prelate said over Radio Veritas.

The bishop’s views were echoed by Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Erwin Garcia himself, who recently admitted that he opposes the rule of a handful of clans.

“Personally, I’ll say it upfront, that I am against political dynasties,” Garcia said in a mixture of Filipino and English during a recent media forum.

However, the Comelec chairman pointed out that while the prohibition on political dynasties is stated in the 1987 constitution, there needs to be legislation from Congress before it can be implemented.

Still, Pabillo argued that political dynasties, which dominate both local and national level politics, weaken the system of checks and balances in the government.

“How can politicians be held accountable when their successors are related to them? It is important to have accountability so that there will be no abuse of authority,” the bishop added.

Earlier, the CBCP joined the civic group Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM) in filing a petition before the Comelec seeking to disqualify well-known politicians in several provinces, pointing out that their candidacies violate the anti-political dynasty provision of the 1987 Constitution.

“This was the clear intention of the framers of the 1987 Constitution. Being a member of a political dynasty is a ground for disqualification. We are standing on solid ground… We are not wasting our time. No one filed such a case so this is the first time,” lawyer Alex Lacson, ANIM co-convenor, said.

Meanwhile, Caritas Philippines president Bishop Colin Bagaforo of Kidapawan and vice president Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos criticized a political clan in Nueva Ecija for running against each other in an apparent effort to ensure their hold on the province.

He noted that incumbent governor Aurelio Umali is running for reelection with his elder brother Gil Raymond Umali as vice governor.

However, his 23-year-old daughter, Patricia Marie Umali, is running against him in the gubernatorial race.

Moreover, his elder daughter Gabrielle is also running for Congress in the 3rd congressional district against her mother, former Gov. Czarina Umali.

In the broader political sphere, the CBCP, consisting of 90 active and 40 honorary bishops, among other members, deplored the “widening practice” of political dynasties in the country and the lack of measures against political clans.

Earlier, former CBCP president Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma said that political dynasties exacerbate the problem of corruption.

“Political dynasties breed corruption and ineptitude,” reads part of the statement signed by the former CBCP president.