Senatorial bets Angara, Ejercito: Not all political dynasties have bad records

Not all political dynasties are bad for the country.

 

This was how Representatives Juan Edgardo Angara and Joseph Victor Ejercito — two senatorial aspirants belonging to political families — defended the existence of political dynasties in the Philippines.

 

Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada, said that Filipinos are already “used to” the practice of children following the footsteps of their parents.

 

“Hindi naman natin masisisi na kapag ang padre de pamilya, halimbawa’y abugado, kadalasan ang mga anak ay magiging abugado. Sa paglilingkod naman sa publiko ay kadalasan ito’y kinamulatan na at kinasanayan, kaya kadalasan ikaw na rin ang kilala at nilalapitan ng ating mga kababayan,” Ejercito said in an interview Tuesday over GMA News TV’s “News To Go.”

 

He added that political dynasties also ensure the continuity of projects in a certain area.

 

Angara, son of Senator Edgardo Angara, echoed Ejercito’s stand, saying having politicians of the same blood brought gains to the country in some instances.

 

“Mayroon ding gumagamit ng dahas. Mayroon ding hindi sine-share ang wealth sa area na iyon, pero it’s not exclusive. Hindi purely bad record. May mga dynasties na may mabuting nagawa,” the younger Angara said in the same television interview.

 

He particularly cited the case of President Benigno Aquino III, who is the son of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and the late President Corazon Aquino.

 

“Walang makakapagsabi na nagpayaman iyan sa posisyon. I think titingnan natin dapat iyong record. Ang kagandahan na dinedebate ito ngayon ay magiging mas masinop, mas maselan ang botante sa darating halalan,” Angara said.

 

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” No legislation on political dynasties, however, has been enacted by Congress up to now.

 

 

‘Give chance to others’

 

On the other hand, independent senatorial candidate and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño said that concentrating power in few families in the country provides much opportunity for abuse of power.

 

“Nagkakaroon na ng impunity kasi hawak mo ang congressman, gobernador, mayor at ilang councilors. Masyado nang malaking kapangyarihan ang binibigay sa isang pamilya. It’s bound na magkakaroon ng pag-abuso,” Casiño said in the same television interview.

 

The lawmaker, who filed House Bill 3413 seeking to ban political dynasties, added that political clans in general violate the intent of the framers of the 1987 Constitution to ensure equal opportunities for public service for all.

 

“Tinuruan tayo mula pa kindergarten na always give chance to others. Ganoon din sa pulitika. Hindi naman pwedeng isang pamilya na lang palagi ang may hawak ng poder. Importante rin na bigyan ng pagkakataon ang ibang mga tao, yung ibang gustong maglingkod sa bansa, ng pagkakataong ito,” he said.

 

Still, Angara said that a legislation banning political dynasties should not violate voters’ freedom of choice.

 

“Ano ang pagbabawalan? Is it the same position? Is it running for simultaneous positions? Doon ang madugong usapan e. Ako, I’m willing to support a dynasty bill kung hindi niya nalilimitahan ang freedom of choice ng mga botante,” he said.

 

Ejercito meanwhile said that voters should be left to ultimately decide if members of political dynasties are good for the government or not.

 

“Hayaan natin ang taumbayan ang maghusga. Sila naman ang final judge. Kung sila ay naniniwala sa dynasty, kung naniniwala sila sa iyong kakayanan, marahil ikaw ay kanilang iboboto. Hayaan natin ito sa final judge which is the electorate,” he said. — with Andreo Calonzo/RSJ, GMA News