Philippine President Benigno Aquino is a scion of two of the country’s main landowning political dynasties, the Cojuangcos and the Aquinos. The dynasty has produced two presidents and countless mayors, governors and members of Congress in the last two decades. But Aquino has promised to end dynastic politics before his presidential term ends next year. It will be a wonder if he succeeds. A recent study found that 55 political families have each controlled elected positions for 40 years straight. An earlier study found 169 landowning dynasties produced 584 public officials, including seven presidents.
