COMMENTARY: A scofflaw nation

The Bushes and the Clintons may face off again in 2016. A dynasty is not necessarily a paradise of pedigree but some families do have a tradition of service.

We cannot have too much of the Tanadas, for instance.

So what if in 2010 Noynoy Aquino faced cuz Gibo Teodoro, No. 1 in the bar and son of Gilberto Teodoro, who headed the SSS and Imelda could not monkey with it? I would have been happy with PNoy or PGibo.

Today, from A to Z, from Abads to Zubiris, one may argue that terms limits are wrong. Lorenzo Tanada was not limited to two terms. The fine intention of the Consti to open up the field to more candidates may have backfired however. Positions are only parked with a spouse, child, or a kulasisi.

Makati, where I live, has a dynasty (the Binays, my friends). My hometown of Pasig is dominated by the Eusebios, my distant kin, I am told. Adjoining Pasay - a creek, Tripa de Gallina, separates us - is headed by a Calixto, who I got to know in fighting the dictatorship. Across the Pasig is Mandaluyong, headed by the Gonzalez and Abalos dynasties, valiant comrades also in that struggle. 

San Juan is Erap country; he has two sons in the Senate. Quezon City is Belmonte country. Las Pinas, Villar; Manila, also Erap; Valenzuela, Gatchalian; Navotas, Tiangco; Pateros-Taguig, Cayetano, etc..

Legislating dynasties out is a tough  challenge. Lawmakers reflect the biases of the ruling classes. Madugo. Mga Dugong Bughaw? Will the law be followed more in the breach than in the observance?

We had intended to make SALNs transparent in an ambience of openness and transparency. The executive and legislative departments routinely publish their SALNs, in May, following the April deadline. Annually. Regularly.

The Supreme Court, firefly compliance. Parang alitaptap, in obeying R.A. No. 3019 (Sec. 7) and R.A. No. 6713 (Sec. 8). My students report na para po silang humihila ng bayawak sa lungga. 

Are we moving far in the wrong direction as a scofflaw society? In the current regional games, ill-prepared kuno ang diving team natin. And to think that Victoria Manalo Dravies, whose erpat was a musikero from Orani, Bataan, won two diving golds, yup, two diving golds, in the 1948 London Olympics. 

In May 2013, I went to the two-acre Park in downtown San Francisco, named after her. When she made a sentimental journey home more than a decade ago, she became the toast in her roots. The Fil-Brit passed away in 2010. Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung here. Sad. 

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Rene Saguisag is a former senator who authored RA 6713, The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees.