THE need for an anti-dynasty law and the absence of a robust political party system took the spotlight during the “Town Hall: Preview of the 2025 Elections,” hosted by The Manila Times in collaboration with DZRH.
Political analyst and professor Antonio Contreras of the University of the Philippines Los Baños School of Environmental Science and Management questioned whether next year’s elections would provide true representation.
“Who has the right to represent our people in the Senate and the House?” Contreras, a columnist for The Manila Times, asked. “Are the rich and famous truly representative of the ordinary Filipino?”
TOWNHALL ON POLLS Rose Barbiera of DZRH News TV and Arnold Belleza of The Manila Times interview political analyst and columnist Antonio Contreras, and former senator and defense chief Orly Mercado during the show ‘Town Hall: Preview of the 2025 Election,’ held at the DZRH studios on Dec. 17, 2024. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA
Contreras stressed that the current system lacks a genuine representative democracy, reducing elections to contests among the wealthy and well-known.
He further criticized the weak party system, noting that political parties today have “no ideologies.”
“They are not aggregators of the diverse interests of our society,” said Contreras.
He strongly advocated for the passage of an anti-dynasty law.
“I am not saying families in government are inherently bad, but it has become excessive. Is becoming a senator limited only to specific families?” Contreras said.
He described the dominance of political dynasties as a “backlash of democracy” and emphasized the need for voter preparedness and behavior reform.
Former senator and defense secretary Orlando Mercado echoed Contreras’ concerns, urging a broader perspective to address political issues.
Mercado emphasized the need to understand history to navigate the present and plan for the future.
“We have a big problem when it comes to representation. What we see is a choice between candidates who are either famous or perceived as intelligent and affluent — a false dichotomy,” he said.
Mercado also criticized the concentration of power among related individuals in Congress and the Senate.
“How did we reach this point of unintended consequences, where instead of protecting the people and ensuring representation, we achieved the opposite?”
Both Contreras and Mercado lamented the lack of a true political party system.
Mercado underscored the importance of party discipline, which he said is absent today.
“What dominates now is not traditional media, but social media and political parties are no longer ideological but simply platforms for the wealthy and popular,” he said.
Contreras also highlighted the intensified role of digitalization and social media in shaping electoral outcomes.
“The role of social media platforms and vlogs will be more prominent in next year’s polls,” Contreras said. However, he also raised concerns about disinformation, trolling and fake news.
“It is more accessible but also more dangerous. That is the new battleground,” he cautioned.
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