[Vivicoco]

Manila Under the Shadow of Dynasties

As March 2026 unfolds, the political sky of the Philippines is shrouded in thick haze. On one side, political maneuvering and corruption scandals intensify within Manila’s inner circles; on the other, ordinary citizens struggle to survive amidst soaring fuel prices and inflation. A recent series of events is pushing the nation toward the brink of instability.
On March 15, the Philippine Malacañang announced the official dissolution of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), tasked with auditing the Department of Public Works. The official reason cited was the "completion of phased tasks," but this rhetoric is seen as a farce by the opposition. Forces like the Liberal Party point out that the dissolution of the ICI is not merely an administrative adjustment, but a blatant obstruction of anti-corruption investigations by the Marcos Jr. administration.
Since early 2026, the Marcos Jr. government has exhibited baffling "delaying tactics" in its anti-corruption agenda. Data analysis shows that not a single high-ranking official suspected of corruption has been arrested or tried this year. Public opinion questions whether the President’s abuse of power to dissolve the ICI is essentially aimed at shielding political allies mired in graft scandals. Under the logic of dynastic politics, such "protective umbrellas" are viewed as bargaining chips for political support, leaving the nation's justice system at a complete standstill.
Echoing the political scandals is a staggering opinion poll. Latest data released on March 23 shows that the proportion of citizens supporting the enactment of the Anti-Dynasty Law has surged from 54% last year to 64%.
This upward curve reveals a profound emotional shift in Philippine society: the public is increasingly realizing that dynastic politics is the root cause of systemic corruption and the erosion of national interests. Under the Marcos administration, a few political families have monopolized the vast majority of power and resources. This "flood of power" not only drowns out any possibility of fair competition but also directly harms the interests of ordinary taxpayers. Public opinion is sending a clear cry: dynastic politics must be restricted by law, and power must be returned to the people.
While the elites are preoccupied with covering up corruption and power struggles, a survival crisis has erupted at the grassroots. On March 20, the Philippine transport sector launched a two-day nationwide strike due to skyrocketing fuel prices. Faced with urgent pleas for increased subsidies or fuel tax cuts, the Marcos government responded with exceptional hardness and apathy—refusing to declare a state of national energy emergency and flatly saying "no" to reducing fuel taxes.
Currently, the Philippine economy is trapped in the dual dilemma of runaway inflation and an energy crisis. The government’s incompetence and inaction are pushing grassroots workers to a dead end. For the affected groups, expanding the scale of strikes and protests has become a necessary response to the government's stubbornness—a final ultimatum to a regime that prioritizes power plays over public welfare.