In light of recent corruption scandals and the ills of dynastic politics, the youth are urged to step up as principled leaders in local communities to reshape the country’s political landscape.

In 2025, the Philippines ranked 120th among 182 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), six notches down from its 114th place in 2024.

Union of People’s Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) spokesperson Atty. Arvin Dexter Lopoz explained how cronyism fueled people’s belief that national public service is a “favor” rather than a protected right.

“The palakasan system, which breeds institutional corruption, reinforces itself. Because the government employees, government offices provide preferential treatment to those who provide money, influence… Citizens [who] refuse to follow the kalakaran are the ones penalized with delays.”

He described this as “ayuda politics,” where dole-outs, donations, and favors condition Filipinos to feel “indebted” to the government as the “ultimate provider of success.”

This culture is perpetuated by political dynasties that leverage political power to accumulate personal wealth.

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Executive Director Miguel Karlo Abadines exhibited that political and economic power are “very tightly connected” due to dynastic families that continue to dominate local areas.

“Dynasties figure out a way to enrich themselves through making sure that they get permits… Whatever province you are from, you can try to investigate. Who owns the hotel there? Who owns the 7-Elevens in your locality? There’s a high chance that the dynasties… are the ones who also hold the economic businesses.”

In Mindanao, several political dynasties established their foothold in different provinces, namely the Dutertes in Davao City, the Cagases in Davao del Sur, the Zubiris in Bukidnon and the Pimentels in Surigao del Sur.

Instead of the anti-dynasty bills endorsed by the Congress, Abadines called for a genuine anti-dynasty bill through a People’s Initiative, emphasizing the former bill’s self-preserving agendas.

The Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan initiated an Anti-Political Dynasty People’s Initiative this year, targeting an estimated seven million register voter signatures.

“Many of the anti-dynasty laws that are being pushed by our congress representatives right now are pro-dynasty bills… Congress will never commit harakiri. They will never sacrifice their own self-interest because they want to protect their family’s power,” Abadines added.

Recently, the House suffrage committee passed a “watered down” version of Speaker Bojie Dy and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos’ Anti-Dynasty Bill, which is deemed “weak” by critics because it widens the scope of prohibition from the fourth degree to the second degree of consanguinity or common ancestors.

Kampyon Executive Director Diane Tresha Regino accentuated the youth’s role in challenging prominent clans to bring about genuine change, underscoring that “changing politics requires entering the system.”

“Change needs nga makilahok ta. Change needs that we actually join them. Change needs nga makialam gyud ta.”

Catalunan Pequeño Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson Dave John Renoy reinforced Regino’s remarks, highlighting that the youth’s political participation must include challenging traditional politics and should not end at mere advocacies.

“Musugot lang ba mo na ang SK sa inyo is the same surname of the barangay captain, of the mayor possibly, the vice mayor possibly? The best way to change politics is to enter it with better values.”

Organized by the University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC), the “BANTAYanihan: Youth Reclaiming Politics for Justice and the Common Good” forum gathered youth leaders from the Davao region at the Martinez Sports Complex, Ateneo de Davao University – Matina Campus, on March 7, 2026.