Wealth, power, and the Filipino future

The sad picture painted by recent data is impossible to ignore: billionaires are now 4,000 times more likely to hold political office than ordinary citizens. In the Philippines, this isn’t an abstract statistic. It is our reality, evident in the billion-peso net worths of our highest officials and the grinding poverty of millions who face involuntary hunger. As Oxfam and scholars like professor Maria Ela Atienza warn, this fusion of extreme wealth and political power is not merely unfair; it is a machine that perpetuates inequality and erodes democracy itself.

The fundamental question we must confront is this: can a system dominated by an economic elite truly govern for the benefit of all? The evidence suggests it cannot. When the wealthy make the laws, the rules inevitably tilt to protect and enhance their own interests, be it through tax policies, business regulations, or budget allocations. The result is a country ranked among the world’s most unequal, where billionaire wealth soars while families struggle with stagnant wages, overcrowded hospitals, and the daily ordeal of a broken transportation system.

Tinkering at the edges is futile. We need deep, structural reforms that dismantle the machinery of elite dominance and build a foundation for equitable development. This requires a conscious, sustained movement by the electorate to demand transformative changes from our government, particularly from a Congress currently populated by the very beneficiaries of the status quo.

First, we must break the stranglehold of political dynasties. The concentration of power within a small number of interconnected families stands as a central driver of inequality in the Philippines. When political authority is monopolized by familial networks, it suppresses healthy competition and entrenches systems of patronage. This dynamic ensures that both political influence and the economic advantages tied to it remain confined to a select group, preventing broader participation in governance.

To dismantle this closed system, the public must actively pressure Congress to enact a robust antipolitical dynasty law. Such legislation would not serve to target or punish families but instead open the democratic process to genuine competition.

Second, we must weaponize transparency and accountability by fully funding our Constitutional commissions. The Office of the Ombudsman, the Sandiganbayan, the Commission on Audit, and the Civil Service Commission serve as vital institutional checks, safeguarding against corruption and abuse of power in government. However, these bodies have long been hampered by insufficient resources, limiting their capacity to perform thorough investigations and enforce accountability.

To ensure these commissions can function effectively and independently, it is imperative that Congress allocates substantially increased budgets. With adequate funding, these agencies will possess the necessary tools, personnel, and authority to investigate those in positions of power and protect the integrity of public service.

Third, we must build the infrastructure of equity: universal public goods and transformative connectivity. Inequality is cemented by a lack of access. Advancing equity requires a deliberate effort to establish comprehensive systems and projects that guarantee every Filipino’s dignity and opportunity.

A universal health-care system and free education for all are essential foundations for an equitable society. These public goods provide a safety net that helps break the cycle of poverty and ensures that every citizen has the means to lead a dignified life.

A modern, efficient public transportation system in our urban centers is vital to improving the daily lives of millions. By ending the hardships endured during commutes, such a system will boost national productivity and deliver a tangible enhancement in overall quality of life.

Strategic railways and seaports in Luzon and, crucially, in Mindanao, are more than mere infrastructure projects. They serve as instruments of national unity and economic justice. The deliberate development of Mindanao’s logistical backbone will not only decongest Metro Manila but also empower regional economies, disperse opportunities across the country, and address the historical neglect of the South.

Therefore, the crucial actor is the Filipino electorate. Our collective demand must be for a government that builds for the many, not profits for the few. We must vote for platforms, not pedigrees, and sustain pressure for a comprehensive agenda of structural change.

The choice is between a stagnant plutocracy and a dynamic, just republic. Passing an antidynasty law, empowering antigraft bodies, guaranteeing social services, and building transformative national infrastructure are the pillars of the latter. Our shared future depends on the relentless pressure we exert today. Let us demand nothing less.

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Manny Ilao is a former chief financial officer, draws on his experience in finance and familiarity with Philippine banking laws to share informed opinions on good governance.