75% sa bagong Kongreso mula sa political dynasty

Ang pagbubukas ng Kamara de Representantes (House of Representatives) ng 14th Congress sa Hulyo 23 ay pagpapatuloy nang paghahari at impluwensiya ng iilang political families, bagamat mas kaunti ang kanilang bilang kaysa sa 13th Congress. Batay sa pag-aaral ng GMA News Research, halos 75 porsiyento ng mga papasok na mga mambabatas sa mababang kapulungan ng Kongreso ay miyembro ng mga kilalang pamilya sa pulitika, kumpara sa 83 porsiyento noong nakaraang Kongreso. Sa ngayon, 40 political families ang nagpaalam na sa Batasang Pambansa, na maaari ring sanhi ng pagkabawas ng bilang ng political clans sa mga district representative. Naniniwala si UP Manila political science professor Bobby Tuazon na ang pagbaba ng bilang na ito ay hindi senyales ng pagwawakas ng nakasanayan nang tradisyon sa Kamara. “Just because one dynasty has fallen out of power means that their number has dropped. It looked like the same. Other political clans simply take over," ani Tuazon, director ng Center for People Empowerment in Governance (Cenpeg). Binanggit niya ang mga Espinosa ng Masbate na pinalitan ng mga Kho na siya ngayong angkang pulitikal na nanalo noong nakaraang eleksyon. Ang mga tumakbong kamag-anak ng 18 kongresista ng paalis na sa pwesto, karamihan sa kanila ay natapos na ang tatlong termino, ay nabigong makuha ang pwesto sa Kongreso. (Table 1) Ang ilan sa mga pamilyang mayroong malalalim na ugat na sa Kamara ay ang mga Yapha ng Cebu, Veloso ng Leyte, Espinosa ng Masbate at ang Para clan ng Negros Oriental ay hindi makakatuntong sa Mababang Kapulungan sa susunod na tatlong taon. Subalit ayon kay Tuazon, bagama't talunan sa Kongreso, maaring wagi naman sa local na pwesto ang ilan sa kanila. Gayon ang naganap sa kaso ng dominanteng angkan ng Espina sa Biliran—natalo sa pagka-kongresista ang 72-taon gulang na si Gerado Sr. kay Glenn Chong na 32-taon gulang lamang. Subalit nanalo naman ang apat sa pamilyang Espina sa ibang posisyon sa lugar. Ilan pa sa mga ito ay ang mga Abad ng Batanes at ang Dadivas ng Capiz na hindi nagtalaga ng kapalit sa kanilang naiwanang pwesto. Nakaupo nang matagal na panahon sa lone district ng Batanes sa loob ng dalawang dekada ang mga Abad na nagsimula pa noong 1962. Hindi na tumakbo pa ang outgoing Rep. na si Henedina “Dina" Abad. “They said they want to retire. Maybe they wanted a break from politics. They want the new breed of politicians to take over," ayon sa isang congressional staff ni Abad. Magiging aktibo pa rin daw ang mga Abad “but outside of the political sphere"—sa pamamagitan ng mga NGOs, dagdag niya. Sina Dina at kanyang asawa, dating congressman at education secretary Florencio "Butch" Abad, ay nanungkulan na sa maraming NGOs. “Mas marami silang magagawa kung wala sila sa gobyerno," ayon sa staff. Binanggit din niya na nadidismaya ang mga Abad dahil mula nang maging parte sila ng oposisyon noong 2005, hindi na naibigay ang pondo para sa mga proyekto sa kanilang probinsya. Table 1. Outgoing congressmen whose relatives lost (18) Legislative District 13th Congress Representative/Term Candidate Fielded Relationship 14th Congress Representative Bukidnon, 1st Dist. J.R. Nereus O. Acosta/3rd Ma. Lourdes O. Acosta Sister Candido Pancrudo Jr., former board member Cebu , 2nd Dist. Simeon L. Kintanar/3rd Carmiano Kintanar Cousin Pablo Garcia, former congressman, governor, vice governor Cebu , 3rd Dist. Antonio P. Yapha Jr./3rd Estrella Yapha Wife Pablo John Garcia Davao City , 3rd Dist. Ruy Elias C. Lopez/3rd Rene Elias C. Lopez Brother Isidro Ungab, city councilor Eastern Samar , Lone Dist. Marcelino C. Libanan/3rd Elda Ellado Libanan Wife Teodolo Coquilla, former Oras mayor Ilocos Sur, 1st Dist. Salacnib F. Baterina/3rd Bertrand A. Baterina Nephew Ronald Singson, outgoing provincial board member Leyte , 3rd Dist. Eduardo K. Veloso/3rd Marie Therese U. Veloso Wife Andres Dalde Salvacion Jr., retired Customs official Manila , 4th Dist. Rodolfo C. Bacani/3rd Maria Aurora C. Bacani Wife Maria Theresa Bonoan-David, outgoing councilor Manila , 5th Dist. Joey D. Hizon/3rd Estrelita S. Hizon Wife Amado Bagatsing, former congressman Masbate , 2nd Dist. Emilio R. Espinosa Jr./3rd Ma. Lourdes Lilia K. Espinosa Niece Antonio Kho, outgoing governor Misamis Oriental, 2nd Dist. Augusto H. Baculio/3rd Augustus Rex Reyes Baculio Son Yevgeny Vicente Emano, Tagoloan mayor Negros Oriental, 1st Dist. Jacinto V. Paras/3rd Olivia P. Paras Wife Jocelyn Limkaichong, La Libertad mayor Northern Samar , 2nd Dist. Romualdo T. Vicencio/3rd (deceased) Caesar Opiña Vicencio Son Emil L. Ong, former presidential assistant Pampanga, 1st Dist. Francis L. Nepomuceno/3rd Gerard De Leon Nepomuceno Son Carmelo Lazatin, Angeles City mayor Pangasinan, 3rd Dist. Generoso DC . Tulagan/3rd Generoso Domingo Tulagan Jr. Son Ma. Rachel Arenas, DTI consultant, daughter of Baby Arenas Biliran, Lone District Gerardo Espina Jr./1st Gerardo Espina Sr. Father Glenn Ang Chong, lawyer Surigao del Sur, 2nd District Peter Paul Jed Falcon/1st Jesnar Falcon Father Florencio C. Garay, mayor of Bislig Caloocan , 2nd District Luis Asistio/1st Albert Muñoz Nephew Mary Mitzi Cajayon, councilor Bagong termino, mga dating tao Humigit kumulang sa kalahati ng mga papasok na district representatives ay mga pamilyar na mukha: 111 ay re-electionists (51 percent) samantalang 108 (49 percent) ay mga bagong representatives. Subalit, ilan sa mga “bagong" kongresista ay hindi na baguhan dito—26 sa kanila ay maaring masabing “returnees" dahil napasabak na sila sa Kongreso noon. Ang isa sa kanila, si Salvador Escudero III, ay papalit sa pwesto ng first district sa Sorsogon na nakuha ng kanyang anak noong 1998. Hindi tumakbo ang nakatatandang Escudero sa loob ng siyam na taon hanggang ngayon na nasa Senado na ang kanyang anak. “Hindi naman ako dapat kumandidato. Nag-file ako ng candidacy 20 minutes before midnight ng deadline. Plano ko talaga sana kumampanya para kay Chiz," ayon sa nakatatandang Escudero. Subalit, hinikayat diumano siya ng kanyang mga constituents upang subukang muli ang pulitika. Ilan sa mga papasok na kongresista ay baguhan sa Batasan subalit nagmula naman sa mga dati nang nakaupo doon tulad nina Garcia ng Cebu, Binay ng Makati, Bagatsing ng Maynila, Padilla ng Nueva Viscaya, Lazatin ng Pampanga at Yap ng Tarlac . (Table 2) Table 2. New representatives who are members of political families Legislative District Representative Government Post/s Held Before Predecessor/Term Relation Abra, Lone District Cecilia S. Luna (not yet proclaimed) Mayor of Lagayan, Abra Luis Bersamin Jr. Agusan Del Norte, 2nd District Edelmiro A. Amante Congressman Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante/1st Child Albay, 2nd District Al Francis Bichara Ambassador, governor Carlos Imperial/2nd Antipolo City, 1st District Roberto V. Puno Ronaldo Puno/1st Sibling Bataan, 1st District Herminia B. Roman Antonino Roman/3rd Spouse Batangas, 4th District Mark Leandro Mendoza Oscar Gozos/2nd Bohol, 3rd District Adam Relson L. Jala Eladio Jala/3rd Parent Bukidnon, 1st District Candido P. Pancrudo Jr. Nereus Acosta/3rd Bukidnon, 3rd District Jose Ma. F. Zubiri III Juan Miguel Zubiri/3rd Sibling Bulacan, 1st District Maria Victoria R. Sy-Alvarado Vice mayor, Hagonoy, Bulacan Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado/3rd Spouse Cagayan, 1st District Salvacion S. Ponce Enrile Juan Ponce Enrile Jr./3rd Spouse Camarines Sur, 1st District Diosdado Ignacio Maria M. Arroyo Rolando Andaya Camiguin, Lone District Pedro P. Romualdo Governor, congressman Jurdin Jesus Romualdo/3rd Child Cavite, 2nd District Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. Dasmariñas mayor Gilbert Remulla/2nd Cebu, 2nd District Pablo Garcia Congressman, governor, vice governor Simeon Kintanar/3rd Cebu, 3rd District Pablo John Garcia Antonio Yapha Jr./3rd Compostela Valley, 2nd District Rommel C. Amatong Prospero Amatong/3rd Parent Davao del Norte, 2nd District Antonio Lagdameo Antonio Floirendo Jr./3rd Uncle Davao Del Sur, 1st District Marc Douglas C. Cagas IV Congressional staff Douglas Cagas/3rd Parent Davao Del Sur, 2nd District Franklin P. Bautista Malita mayor Claude Bautista/2nd Sibling Davao Oriental, 1st District Nelson L. Dayanghirang Provincial board member Corazon Malanyaon/2nd Davao Oriental, 2nd District Thelma Z. Almario Vice governor, congressman, mayor Mayo Almario/3rd Child Guimaras, Lone District Joaquin Carlos A. Nava Governor, congressman Edgar Espinosa/2nd Ilocos Norte, 2nd District Ferdinand R. Marcos Governor, congressman Imee Marcos/3rd Sibling Ilocos Sur, 1st District Ronald V. Singson Provincial board member Salacnib Baterina/3rd Iloilo, 5th District Niel C. Tupas Jr. Provincial board member Rolex Suplico/3rd Cousin La Union , 1st District Victor Francisco C. Ortega Governor Manuel Ortega/3rd Sibling La Union , 2nd District Thomas Dumpit Jr. Tomas Dumpit/3rd Parent Laguna, 4th District Edgar S. San Luis Benjamin Agarao Jr./1st Lanao del Sur, 2nd District Pangalian Balindong (not yet proclaimed) Congressman Benasing Macarambon Jr./3rd Leyte, 1st District Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez Remedios Petilla/1st Makati City, 2nd District Abigail Mar-len S. Binay Agapito Aquino/3rd Malabon-Navotas, Lone District Alvin S. Sandoval Federico Sandoval II/3rd Sibling Mandaluyong City, Lone District Neptali M. Gonzales II Mayor, congressman Benjamin Abalos Jr./1st Manila, 3rd District Maria Zenaida B. Angping Miles Roces/1st Manila, 5th District Amado S. Bagatsing Congressman Joey Hizon/3rd Marinduque, Lone District Carmencita O. Reyes Governor, congressman Edmundo Reyes Jr./3rd Child Masbate, 2nd District Antonio T. Kho Governor Emilio Espinosa Jr./3rd Misamis Occidental, 1st District Marina P. Clarete Barangay captain Ernesto Clarete/2nd Spouse Misamis Oriental, 2nd District Yevgeny Vicente B. Emano Tagoloan mayor Augusto Baculio/3rd Negros Occidental, 1st District Julio A. Ledesma IV Congressman Tranquilino Carmona/1st Negros Occidental, 6th District Genaro M. Alvarez Jr. Congressman, provincial board member Genaro Rafael Alvarez III/1st Child Negros Oriental, 2nd District George P. Arnaiz Governor Emilio Macias II/3rd Negros Oriental, 3rd District Pryde Henry Teves Provincial board member Herminio Teves/3rd Grandparent North Cotabato, 2nd District Bernardo F. Piñol Jr. Provincial administrator, councilor Gregorio Ipong/3rd Northern Samar, 1st District Paul R. Daza Harlin Abayon/3rd Northern Samar, 2nd District Emil Ong Presidential assistant Romualdo Vicencio Nueva Ecija, 1st District Edwardo Nonato N. Joson Governor, congressman Josefina Joson/3rd Sister-in-law Nueva Ecija, 2nd District Joseph Gilbert F. Violago Eleuterio Violago/2nd Parent Nueva Ecija, 3rd District Czarina D. Umali Aurelio Umali/2nd Spouse Nueva Vizcaya, Lone District Carlos M. Padilla Congressman, assemblyman, mayor Rodolfo Agbayani/1st Pampanga, 1st District Carmelo F. Lazatin Angeles City mayor Francis Nepomuceno/3rd Pangasinan, 2nd District Victor Aguedo E. Agbayani Governor Amado Espino Jr./2nd Pasig City, Lone District Roman T. Romulo Robert Jaworski Jr./1st Pateros-Taguig, 1st Councilor District) Ma. Laarni L. Cayetano Alan Peter Cayetano/3rd Spouse Quezon, 1st District Wilfrido Mark M. Enverga Jr. Rafael Nantes/3rd Rizal, 2nd District Adelina S. Rodriguez Isidro Rodriguez Jr./3rd Sibling Romblon, Lone District Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona Governor and congressman Eduardo Firmalo/1st Samar, 2nd District Sharee Ann Tee Tan Catalino Figueroa/1st Shariff Kabunsuan, Lone District Didagen P. Dilangalen Congressman New Siquijor, Lone District Orlando Fua Sr. Governor, congressman Orlando Fua Jr./3rd Child Sorsogon, 1st District Salvador H. Escudero III Congressman Francis Escudero/3rd Child Sultan Kudarat, Lone District Datu Pakung Mangudadatu Governor Suharto Mangudadatu/1st Parent Surigao Del Sur, 1st District Philip A. Pichay Prospero Pichay/3rd Sibling Tarlac, 1st District Monica Louise P. Teodoro Gilberto Teodoro Jr./3rd Spouse Tarlac, 2nd District Jose V. Yap Governor, congressman, mayor Benigno Simeon Aquino III/3rd Tarlac, 3rd District Jeci A. Lapus Jesli Lapus Sibling Valenzuela City 2nd District Magtanggol Gunigundo I Congressman Antonio Serapio/1st Valenzuela City, 1st District Rexlon T. Gatchalian Jose Emmanuel Carlos/1st Zamboanga City 1st District Ma. Isabelle Climaco Zamboanga City vice mayor New Zamboanga del Norte, 2nd District Rosendo Labadlabad Roseller Barinaga/3rd Zamboanga Sibugay, 2nd District Dulce Ann K. Hofer Mayor of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay new May halos siyam na bagong political family sa Mababang Kapulungan(Table 3). Habang ang karamihan sa mga apelyido dito ay sinasabing “old players"—gaya ng mga Kho ng Masbate, Tan ng Samar at Umali ng Nueva Ecija—ngayong eleksiyon lamang nagkaroon ng higit sa isang miyembro ng pamilya ang nasa posisyon. Halimbawa, ang mga Gatchalian ng Valenzuela City ay nakapaglagay ng apat na kandidato noong nakaraang eleksyon. Dalawa sa kanila ang nanalo: sina re-electionist Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian at kanyang kapatid na si Rexlon, na nanalo naman bilang kongresista sa unang distrito. Ito ang nagbigay sa mga Gatchalian—na ang ilan sa mga negosyo ay real estate, casino hotel operations, airlines, leisure resorts at plastic products—ng katangian bilang biglaang political family. Hindi naman diumano masabi ni Congressman-elect Rexlon Gatchalian na hindi nila pinagplanuhang magkapatid na tumakbo nang sabay. Dapat diumano ay tratuhin sila bilang indibidwal at hindi bilang magkapatid. “Dynasties should not be treated as collective but as individuals. Voters are already mature and smart. The voters have spoken that they believe in Rex and Sherwin (Gatchalian)," ani Gatchalian, na namamahala ng Waterfront hotels ng kanilang pamilya. Table 3. New political families in the 14th House of Representatives Legislative District Representative Notes Bukidnon, 1st District Candido P. Pancrudo Jr. Brother Ben P. Pancrudo won as board member of Bukidnon Cavite , 2nd District Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. Wife Jennifer replaced him as Dasmariñas mayor Manila , 3rd District Maria Zenaida B. Angping Wife of former congressman Harry Angping Masbate , 2nd District Antonio T. Kho Former Masbate governor; wife Dr. Elisa Olga Kho is new governor Nueva Ecija, 3rd District Czarina D. Umali Wife of Gov. Aurelio Umali Samar , 2nd District Sharee Ann Tee Tan Daughter of Gov. Milagrosa Tan Surigao Del Sur, 1st District Philip A. Pichay Brother of defeated senatorial candidate and former congressman Prospero Pichay Valenzuela City , 1st District Rexlon T. Gatchalian Brother of Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian Batangas, 4th District Mark Leandro Mendoza Son of DOTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza Nasa Pamilya lang ‘yan Tatlumpu’t talo sa mga outgoing na kongresista ay napanatili ang patuloy na pag-upo ng kanilang angkan sa pamamagitan ng pagpasa ng kanilang trono sa kanilang mga kaanak. Siyam sa mga ito ay naibigay ang iniwang pwesto sa kanilang kapatid; walo ay sa magulang; pito sa kanilang asawa; at lima sa kanilang anak. Mayroon din namang ipinasa na lamang sa kanilang pamangkin, pinsan, apo o bayaw. Dalawa sa mga kongresista ay ibinalik lamang ang kanilang puwesto sa kanilang mga ama: sina Genaro Rafael Alvarez III at Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante, na tila naging “benchwarmers" lamang nang magretiro ang mga ito at ibalik sa kanilang mga ama ang pwesto nang maabot nila ang maximum na tatlong termino sa ika-12 Kapulungan. “Non-clan" Ang Mababang Kapulungan ay maaring ngang tawaging “bastion of the pedigreed political name", subalit may iilan -- na walang ni anumang kamag-anak na nasa politika—ang nakaupo ngayon sa Kongreso. (Table 4) Table 4. New representatives who are not members of any political family Legislative District Representative Government Post Held Agusan Del Norte, 1st District Jose S. Aquino II MEDCO assistant secretary Albay, 3rd District Reno G. Lim Antipolo City , 2nd District Angelito C. Gatbalayan Antipolo City mayor Batanes, Lone District Carlo Oliver D. Diasnes (doctor) Biliran, Lone District Glenn Ang Chong (lawyer) Cagayan De Oro City, Lone District Rolando A. Uy Brgy Chairperson of Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City Cagayan De Oro City, 2nd District Rufus B. Rodriguez Immigration commissioner Caloocan , 2nd District Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon councilor of Caloocan City (2004-07) Camarines Norte, Lone District Liwayway Vinzons Chato BIR commissioner Capiz, 1st District Antonio A. Del Rosario Mayor of Roxas City , Capiz (1998-07) Davao City , 3rd District Isidro T. Ungab Councilor of Davao City (2001-04) Isabela, 4th District Giorgidi B. Aggabao Kalinga, Lone District Manuel S. Agyao DPWH-CAR assistant secretary Laguna, 3rd District Maria Evita R. Arago councilor of San Pablo City , Laguna (2004-07) Leyte , 3rd District Andres Dalde Salvacion Jr. Subic Customs collector Manila , 1st District Benjamin D. Asilo councilor of Manila (2001-07) Manila , 4th District Ma. Theresa B. Bonoan-David councilor of Manila (1998-07) Marikina City , 1st District Marcelino R. Teodoro councilor of Marikina Negros Occidental, 4th District Jeffrey P. Ferrer Mayor of La Carlota City (2004-07) Negros Oriental, 1st District Jocelyn S. Limkaichong Mayor of La Libertad, Negros Oriental (2004-07) Pampanga, 3rd District Aurelio Gonzales Jr. Provincial board member Pangasinan, 3rd District Ma. Rachel Jimenez Arenas head of public affairs dept. of Office of the Vice President (2001-03) Pasay City , Lone District Jose Antonio F. Roxas councilor of Pasay City (1998-07) Taguig, 2nd District (2nd Councilor District) Henry M. Dueñas Jr. councilor of Taguig (2001-07) San Jose Del Monte City, Lone District Arturo B. Robes Vice mayor of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan Sultan Kudarat, 2nd District Arnulfo F. Go councilor of Lebak, Sultan Kudarat (1998-07) Sulu, 1st District Yusop H. Jikiri governor of Sulu Surigao Del Sur, 2nd District Florencio C. Garay Mayor of Bislig, Surigao del Sur Zamboanga Del Sur, 1st District Victor J. Yu (contractor/engineer) Eastern Samar , Lone District Teodulo M. Coquilla mayor of Oras, Eastern Samar (1998-99) Surigao del Norte, 2nd District Guillermo A. Romarate Jr. mayor of Tubod, Surigao del Norte (2001-07) Cebu , 4th District Benhur Salimbangon (not yet proclaimed) Former provincial board member Laguna, 1st District Danilo Fernandez (not yet proclaimed) Former vice governor Lanao del Norte, 1st District Vicente F. Belmonte Jr. (not yet proclaimed) Iligan City councilor Dalawampu’t limang porsyento ng mga nasa Kamara de Representante ay hindi pa nabibilang sa anumang political family: 35 ay first-termers samantalang 20 ay re-electionists. Nagawa marahil ng ilan na makuha ang pwesto matapos nilang maglingkod sa ibang posisyon sa gobyerno gaya nina Antipolo City Mayor Angelito Gatlabayan at former Sulu Gov. Yusop Jikiri. Ang iba naman ay mga bigating abogado na naglingkod sa pamahalaan gaya nina: former Immigration Commissioner Rufus Rodriguez at Revenue Commissioner Liwayway Vinzons Chato. Tanging apat lamang— Reno Lim, Carlo Oliver Diasnes, Glenn Chong and Victor Yu——ay walang karanasan sa panunungkulan sa gobyerno. Samantala, may mangilan-ngilan ding baguhang kongresista na kamag-anak ng mga kilalang trapo gaya nina Lim, Diasnes at mga Yu na kaalyado ni Pangulong Arroyo at napondohan ng maigi ang kanilang kampanya. Ang mga pamilya nina Lim, Yu at Chong ay sinasabing mayroong mga maaunlad na negosyo. Si Chong ay miyembro ng Liberal Party-Drilon faction. Ayon kay Tuazon ng Cenpeg, ito na marahil ang tinatawag na “emerging political clans." Sa maraming pagkakataon, ang tagumpay sa pera ay sapat na, ang mga pamilyang may kakulangan na sa salapi ay pihadong matatalo. “The rise and fall of political clans depends on economic resources. Political dynasties exist because of the strong economic base," ani Tuazon. - GMANews.TV - isinalin sa Pilipino ni Mark J. Ubalde