EVERYTHING’S wrong with Philippine politics – period!

This tongue and cheek reply to the first query above encapsulates the frustrations of many a writer on where to begin to dissect the multitude of problems reducing them into palatable morsels. The easier way to go about this is perhaps to focus on the current state of affairs which has obstinately captured the interests and occupied the minds of our people since about a year ago, or even beyond: the election of a Philippine president.

As the passage of an antipolitical dynasty law remains doubtful, political clans try to strengthen their influence by seeking seats in Congress through the party-list system.

Members of dominant political families, including former officials and those on their third terms, are among politicians running as nominees of party-list groups, according to the election watchdog Kontra Daya.