The 1987 Constitution is very clear: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the framers of the 1987 Constitution were too naive to think that Filipino politicians would willingly give up public office just because they said so. It’s true that there would be no political dynasties if the Filipino electorate were more discerning and not unduly influenced by false narratives, outright vote-buying and barefaced intimidation, not to mention song-and-dance routines.
To answer our own question then: Should we have political dynasties? Let’s have them, by all means, if they add to, and not subtract from, the democracy that we have built from the ground up over the decades. And perhaps we should even encourage them if they can contribute positively to the development of our political system, not run it to the ground.
Political dynasties may work in countries where popular political figures have really made a difference in the lives of the people, but not where the political environment breeds paternalism and patronage.