No big opposition to political clans among Pinoys; competition may be more effective than bans

Filipinos are divided on the issue of electing public officials who came from the same political families, according to Pulse Asia President Prof. Ronald Holmes.

In an episode of The Mangahas Interviews on Thursday, Holmes noted that Filipinos have "different appreciation" on electing candidates who belong to political dynasties.

"They have different appreciation of political dynasties. Some don't want exclusivity in politics. Some believe that political families may serve their interest," Holmes told veteran journalist Malou Mangahas, in a mix of Filipino and English.

He added that the voter's opinion on political dynasties cannot be questioned even if they want to vote for the same political families in their jurisdiction.

Instead, Holmes noted that it is important to ensure that there is competition between political families and new candidates during elections.

Creating competition rather than stopping political families to run for office will encourage candidates to perform better, Holmes also noted.

"If there is political competition, it heightens a candidates' performance. It means they need to show an indication that they are performing beyond what is expected of a traditional politician," Holmes explained, in Filipino.

Duterte legacy may affect public support to Sara

President Rodrigo Duterte's legacy may affect public's support for his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as next year's election nears, Holmes said.

"Iba iba ang konteksto, pero masasabi natin na kung anong yung imahe, kung ano isinagawa ng kanyang ninuno, magulang, maaari itong makaapekto sa suporta na ibibigay sa anak," said Holmes over The Mangahas Interviews. Veteran journalist Malou Mangahas asked him if Duterte's popularity will be passed on to the presidential daughter.

(There are different contexts but we can say that whatever is the image of the predecessor, parent, can affect the support to their children.)

Holmes added that the public's support could be enough to win or lose the position of vice president or president.

In a previous television interview, former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio warned that there will be a “height of a political dynasty” if Duterte will allow his daughter to run for the presidency.

“This is the height of [a] political dynasty that the President will choose his daughter as his successor. We cannot allow this to happen," Carpio, who heads the opposition coalition 1Sambayan, said.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey released last month, the presidential daughter continues to take lead in the list of possible presidential candidates. —Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News