Dynasties are here to stay

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Filipinos may complain and lament the existence of what are now called dynasties in this country, but, unless some truly effective laws are passed against them, we are afraid to admit, they are here to stay. And not only for this generation, but probably through this century.

The results of the recent election have shown that, while some of the so-called dynasties have been decimated, others have cropped up and still others have even multiplied in the number of family members, some bearing the same family names, being proclaimed as winners in the election for various political positions all throughout the country.

And, while some of them only have two or three members comfortably occupying vital positions in their towns or cities, others have already spread out to the provinces and cities, and even to the barangays. Predictably, these, too, will have their children and other close relatives waiting in the wings, to take over when they have exhausted the terms allowed by law, and themselves sit back for a term or two, before springing back again.

And so dynasties will go on, and continue to dominate political life in our country.

Statistics gathered by media agencies from the results of the last election showed the major areas where dynasties have take hold and may continue to do so, with the incumbents assuring the election of their anointed ones to succeed them.

Specially noted were the families of the Revillas, the Marcoses, the Romualdezes, the Cayetanos, the Binays, the Estradas, the Mangudadatus, the Aquinos, and yes, even the emerging Pacquiaos in Mindanao.

Considering their influence and numbers, and their hold in the lawmaking bodies of the land, what are the chances, ever, of abolishing dynasties?

Let us hope that all the others aspiring for office do not adopt the motto: If you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em.

Is this the way democracy is practised in the Philippines?*