Dynasty Over Democracy: The Recto Victory in Batangas Sparks Outrage Over Political Entitlement

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

As the election dust settles in Batangas, a troubling narrative once again emerges from the ruins of what many hoped would be a more democratic and merit-based political race. The victory of Vilma Santos-Recto and her son Ryan Christian Recto—coupled with the electoral loss of her other son, Luis "Lucky" Manzano—is more than just a familial headline. It’s a resounding slap to the face of delicadeza, propriety, and the very spirit of our Constitution’s anti-dynasty principle.

Three members of the same family dared to run for the three most influential positions in Batangas: Governor, Vice Governor, and Congressman. Let that sink in. Not one, not two—but three. The blatant audacity of it leaves many Filipinos reeling in frustration, disbelief, and righteous anger.

This is not just a story of politics; this is a story of how the noble calling of public service has been disfigured into a family business—where surnames, not service, determine leadership. And perhaps the most gut-wrenching part? The meekest candidate won.

Ryan Christian Recto, a name barely heard in legislative discourse or policy debates, now sits in Congress. While the other candidates struggled to articulate platforms and defend advocacies, he rode the wave of family fame, his victory propelled not by merit, but by surname. A young man with barely any public service track record was pitted against a seasoned lawyer, and still came out on top. The lawyer didn't just lose—he finished a distant third.

Let that detail simmer: A qualified lawyer—someone with the legal acumen to craft laws and uphold justice—was outvoted by someone whose main political asset appears to be his family tree.

This isn’t an isolated tragedy; it’s part of a systemic plague. Look no further than the current Senate. We have:

Two Estradas

Two Villars

Two Tulfos

Two Cayetanos

Are we truly a nation of 110 million people so bereft of talent, so lacking in passionate and capable public servants, that we must constantly recycle the same last names? Or have we simply grown accustomed to the reality that dynasties rule, and we, the electorate, have surrendered the fight?

It’s time we face a hard truth: political dynasties are no longer subtle; they are aggressively entrenching themselves—boldly, unapologetically, and often with devastating consequences to governance.

Our Constitution, in Article II, Section 26, clearly states:

"The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."

Yet for decades, this provision has remained a toothless tiger—strong in principle but feeble in enforcement, because the very people who benefit from dynasties are the ones who refuse to define and legislate their limits.

Public office is not a birthright. It is not a trophy to pass down from parent to child. It is a sacred trust from the people—a duty, a responsibility. It demands experience, integrity, and vision—not a familiar surname and a famous face.

As we approach future elections, this must be our rallying cry: Enough is enough.

Let us demand laws that enforce anti-dynasty provisions with sharp teeth. Let us demand political parties to choose based on capability, not connections. Let us support candidates who have worked from the ground up, who know the struggle of ordinary citizens, and who do not rely on legacy but on service.

And most importantly, let us awaken the electorate—to vote not out of nostalgia or name recall, but with critical thinking, conscience, and hope.

The win of the Rectos in Batangas may have been legal, but it was far from moral. It’s time to stop mistaking popularity for qualification, and to stop letting politics become a family heirloom.

Because democracy dies when dynasties thrive.

Ross Flores Del Rosario is the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, an advocate for good governance, and a strong voice for transparency, accountability, and genuine public service.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.