By Princess Enriquez
The 2016 national and local elections are drawing near, leaving all aspirants producing their early campaign advertisements, thus I intend to bring you another side of this event by addressing Political Dynasties. The prevalence of Political Dynasties in our country is an inevitable topic in a democratic country such as the Philippines. It has been part of the country’s prevalent issue and up until now, no definite solution has reached the legislation and the highest court. Political dynasty, then, is defined as political rulers who are from the same lineage, family, stock or group. In Philippine Context, dynasties started through the Spaniards who give illustrados, the local posts in governing the archipelago.
Aquinos; Cojuancos, Quezons, Marcoses and the Binays would probably ring a bell, that is because those families belong to the influential sphere of the country. The Dutertes in the south were able to establish a peaceful Davao with an iron fist. The Binays who hold two of the national positions and two who are focused on Makati City, are an example of modern political dynasties that Filipinos wouldn’t miss.
However, as a democratic country, it is quite an ironic situation wherein political clans are widely accepted to rule the country when it clearly suggests that public offices are often won by those families who have already established a stronghold within the circle of power, leaving those capable individuals no option but to start from scratch and equal opportunities are rarely given to them. Moreover, the question “why” lingers to everyone as to how Filipinos, even though aware of the consequences of the failure of a certain political clan, they would still vote for them and let them exercise their power to a certain extent or perhaps abuse it. We can also ponder on what are the pros of having a dynasty that make some people decide on sticking to one family for a long time? What does a dynasty contribute in honing the Philippine politics? These specific questions eventually led to a general perspective.
Are you pro or anti dynasty?
The validity of dynasties in the Philippines is irrevocable. The question is, do these dynasties provide us a proper legislation that redirects the future of more than 100 million people in the archipelago? Or is it a nightmare, a downfall for the socio-economic and political standpoints of the country?
In the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Noynoy Aquino, he said that it is time for us to pass the bill that agrees on prohibiting and limiting the number of positions held by families – the Anti-Dynasty Bill. According to the section 4 of the said bill “No spouse, or person related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity whether legitimate or illegitimate, to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective office in the same province in the same election. In case the constituency of the incumbent, elective official is national in character, the above relatives shall be disqualified from running only within the same province where the former is a regfstered voter. In case where none of the candidates is related to an incumbent elective official within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, but are related to one another within the said prohibited degree, they, including their spouses, shall be disqualified from holding or running for any local elective office within the same province in the ~ame election. In all cases, no person within the prohibited civi~ degree of relationship to the incumbent shall immediately succeed to the position of the latter: Provided, however, that this section shall not apply to Punong Barangays or members of the Sangguniang Barangay.”
The Anti-Dynasty Bill has made it to the public’s knowledge but there are also opposing ideas that settled within the place of discussion. Those who consider dynasties as part of the Philippine Elections says that banning political clans are not the solution, a proper way to settle it is to educate the people, the voters of how to responsibly utilize their power to choose who deserves the seat of influence. They further explained that prosperous regions are ruled by political families, long-term plans are surely executed well and political stability is transparent because of the years provided to dynastic families to dominate and serve the people. Progress, provided by them, is also vital to acquiring business opportunities and foreign investors. Without the unified mindset and platforms, these economic progress will not be in par with 1st world countries, all would be in vain, they said.
Surely, the pros and cons are to be meticulously weighed and in the end, it is in the hands of the people, the wise decision-making of the voters that will provide the direction of the country – to progress or regress.
However, as a democratic country, it is quite an ironic situation wherein political clans are widely accepted to rule the country when it clearly suggests that public offices are often won by those families who have already established a stronghold within the circle of power, leaving those capable individuals no option but to start from scratch and equal opportunities are rarely given to them. Moreover, the question “why” lingers to everyone as to how Filipinos, even though aware of the consequences of the failure of a certain political clan, they would still vote for them and let them exercise their power to a certain extent or perhaps abuse it. We can also ponder on what are the pros of having a dynasty that make some people decide on sticking to one family for a long time? What does a dynasty contribute in honing the Philippine politics? These specific questions eventually led to a general perspective.
Are you pro or anti dynasty?
The validity of dynasties in the Philippines is irrevocable. The question is, do these dynasties provide us a proper legislation that redirects the future of more than 100 million people in the archipelago? Or is it a nightmare, a downfall for the socio-economic and political standpoints of the country?
In the last State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Noynoy Aquino, he said that it is time for us to pass the bill that agrees on prohibiting and limiting the number of positions held by families – the Anti-Dynasty Bill. According to the section 4 of the said bill “No spouse, or person related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity whether legitimate or illegitimate, to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective office in the same province in the same election. In case the constituency of the incumbent, elective official is national in character, the above relatives shall be disqualified from running only within the same province where the former is a regfstered voter. In case where none of the candidates is related to an incumbent elective official within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, but are related to one another within the said prohibited degree, they, including their spouses, shall be disqualified from holding or running for any local elective office within the same province in the ~ame election. In all cases, no person within the prohibited civi~ degree of relationship to the incumbent shall immediately succeed to the position of the latter: Provided, however, that this section shall not apply to Punong Barangays or members of the Sangguniang Barangay.”
The Anti-Dynasty Bill has made it to the public’s knowledge but there are also opposing ideas that settled within the place of discussion. Those who consider dynasties as part of the Philippine Elections says that banning political clans are not the solution, a proper way to settle it is to educate the people, the voters of how to responsibly utilize their power to choose who deserves the seat of influence. They further explained that prosperous regions are ruled by political families, long-term plans are surely executed well and political stability is transparent because of the years provided to dynastic families to dominate and serve the people. Progress, provided by them, is also vital to acquiring business opportunities and foreign investors. Without the unified mindset and platforms, these economic progress will not be in par with 1st world countries, all would be in vain, they said.
Surely, the pros and cons are to be meticulously weighed and in the end, it is in the hands of the people, the wise decision-making of the voters that will provide the direction of the country – to progress or regress.