HISTORY repeats itself like a broken record.
Before, it was conjugal dictatorship and cronies. Then, it was Kamag-anak, Inc. Now, we call it political dynasty. Really, there’s nothing new under the sun.
The Estradas had set a bad precedent when mother and son won simultaneous seats in the Senate. In the recent election, we saw senatoriables with kin already sitting in the Senate. That’s one the reasons why I did not vote for Alan Cayetano, Vic Magsaysay and Koko Pimentel (See my previous blog entry: http://inquirerbloggers.net/eleksyon2007/2007/05/16/why-i-did-not-vote-for-pichay-cayetano-et-al/).
In our country, we see fathers sitting as mayors with their children sitting as congressmen. In one city, four brothers ran for mayor, congressmen for both of its districts, and party-list representative. When the local official finishes his third term, he makes his wife run for the position. Then we also discover that some of the nominees of the party-lists are children of congressmen.
Why do we tolerate this? Before the election I went to Bicol. I asked a pedicab driver why he would vote for Dato Arroyo. He answered, “Siyempre anak siya ng pangulo. Eh di mas malakas sa taas.” (Of course, he is the son of the president. So he must be well-connected up there.) What if Dato loses this election? Does that mean the President will neglect that district in Bicol? That is why political dynasty is so unfair.
Now, these politicians claim that there’s no law against it. Granted, it may not be illegal. But it is immoral. Democracy is about equality. Where is equality in political dynasty? Is there equality when power is concentrated on just a few influential families? I heard Alan Cayetano say that kings pass on power to their sons. Mr. Cayetano, we are not under a monarchy. Well, at least in a monarchy, the king dies first before the prince takes over. Why not wait for your sister to step down before you run for senator? How can siblings (or father and son as in the case of the Pimentels) be a fair representative of the entire country? Where’s equality in that?
They claim that they are qualified. Fine. “Sila lang ba ang mga anak ng Diyos?” (Are they the only children of God?) Are they the only ones qualified? Plus, they are not just banking on their qualifications. They are taking advantage of name recall. That’s undue advantage. Did they focus solely on their qualifications in their campaign? Really now? Did the voters vote for them solely because they are qualified?
Senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. claimed that political dynasty is not prohibited by the ten commandments. Well, Mr. Senator, it is. God said, “Thou shalt not steal.” Isn’t political dynasty stealing the opportunity to serve from others?
At least, Senator Panfilo Lacson had the moral courage not to allow one of his sons to run for a local elective position. He told his son not to run while he is a senator.
It seems to me that it’s all about power. I believe they just could not let go of power, that they just want to perpetuate themselves in power, that they lust for power so much that they want more of it. That’s why any anti-dynasty bill is doomed to failure even before it is put on paper.
June 4th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Dear ESR,
Salina has the right to defend or not to defend / criticize or not criticize anyone just as you do especially if it concerns us FILIPINOS, our well being and right. I hope when you disagree with the WRONG DOINGS of Mr. ERAP and the rest of his relative politicians, you didn’t mean to say you prefer Mrs. Arroyo’s leadership.
You seem to know Mr. ERAP personally. Well, it’s no wonder coz he is a PUBLIC figure and we ought to know it. However, do you not judge with prejudice? I hope not…I believe the Arroyo’s government is worse. You do not know that, perhaps, because all the corrupt practices she does rest in secret. She made pretty sure of that by placing his “puppets” in control of each and every branches of the government..I cannot divulge details but I hope you’ll be blessed with the gift of “DISCERNMENT”…God Bless!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:56 am
That Salina should stop defending the number one gambler the Philippines had known..ERAP. aside from being a legitimate womanizer with mistress at the left and right, He disected the nation’s economy for the benefit of his family and mistresses and friends..His election to the presidency is non phenomenal, given the Filipinos passion for celebrities and movies.
He deserved what he is getting now, no less. His son Jinggoy’s record in the senate is an empty useless waste of gov’t money, barking on his dad’s enemy whenever he had chances, and so Luisa ejercito, both mother and son makes a tandem of liabilty rather than a respectable senators of the republic.
May 29th, 2007 at 8:02 pm
it is not political dynasty because the people still vote for those who they want to lead them. the election (an honest and fair one) ensures everyone that they are given an equal opportunity to lead and govern.
political dynasty yan kapag ina-appoint lang ng nakaupo ang kamag-anak nila sa isang gvernment position na gusto nila.
ang dapat nating pagtuunan ng pansin a ang pagbabago sa COMELEC na dapat sumisiguro na makakarn ayo ng isang malinis na eleksyon.
May 28th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
vince
President Arroyo must remove political dynasty and give the sincerest heart to fight against corruption in the philippines to have a good goverment. If not, filipinos are very pityful and no progress at all. it’s very shameful around the world that we cannot be independent. Democracy is slowly diminishing
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Fr: Salina.
What? You want Gloria Arroyo, Remove the dynasty? Are you kidding me,. Her son’s, Brother in law, sister among other….There is plenty of them in government office what make you think she’s going to remove them.
How can Gloria Arroyo, Solve the corruption in the Philippines when they’re the one doing it. You must be really out of your mind.
May 28th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
nei
Politics seen from the start of this 3rd republic had been a dynasty!
Our sovereign law under the 1997 constitution had prohibited this dynasty but there are many loopholes with this provision of our constitution.
As a result, political families are on the rise and ever expanding. The people have spoken through their ballots that this family must rule and so be it! What else can we do? Can you offer alternatives?
I’d be more than glad to hear from you.
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Fr: Salina.
If the filipino people vote for them, There is no alternatives. The filipino speak ika nga. But you’re right regarding about loophole in our constitution law;
Because even Gloria Arroyo, Don’t abide by it. In fact she’s the one has been shitting on it.