It’s interesting, if not amusing, times again.
The October 11 to 17 window for the filing of certificate of candidacy for those vying for elective posts in the 2019 mid-term election saw familiar faces filing their respective certificate of candidacy once again. A usual scenario everytime Philippine elections are held.
With some elected government officials practically passing on their office to family members by letting them run during elections for the office they would vacate, these politicians, perhaps, think that they have an inherent right to their position in government.
Like an inheritance, we have seen politicians pass on their office to their wife, children and even grandchildren through an electoral process. Should we not charge these politicians then with inheritance tax? Are political positions being treated as a franchise that dynasties just pass on the right to electoral seats to their chosen franchisees? If that is the case, should we not collect franchise fees from them?
Moreover, do we have a shallow bench of political leaders in the Philippines that we see mostly the same faces during elections? I can’t help asking the same question once more, seeing the same political scenario repeated all over again.
I have a new question, though, to ask this time: Is this the reason why the Anti-Dynasty Bill cannot get through Congress?
For obvious reasons, many congressmen will not even engage, much more support, the anti-dynasty bill as it would be like sharpening the sword that would kill their political ambitions.
And with federalism being strongly pushed by the Duterte administration, will this not worsen the problem on political dynasties in the country?
Even in the current unitary form of government where the state is governed by a single power and the central government is supreme, political monopoly by some families can hardly be stopped. And the moment they are given the power and authority to govern themselves as a federal region, things could get worse. The various federated regions would most likely have their respective political dynasties.
Thus, before the shift to federalism, the anti-dynasty law should already be in place. Otherwise, more political dynasties would be created in the federated regions, which the federal government would no longer be able to handle.
Philippine politics is entirely unique. We have a political system where its rules against vote-buying during elections, for instance, are ignored. It’s sad to note, though, that a significant number of Filipino voters allow their inherent right to vote to be bought.
Morality in Philippine politics must have already gone down the drain, that Philippine politics is characterized with guns, gold and goons. This explains why some monied political families can hang on to various elective posts at the same time and for a long time.
Thus, a sustained education campaign for Filipino voters should be undertaken, if only to enlighten them of the ill effects of irresponsible voting.
The Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI), which I chair, has been doing this program, and we remain committed to continue doing it.
But I challenge Filipinos, government officials, and the youth, including the civic and religious group, to help in the important task of transforming Philippine elections into a political exercise marked with responsible and well-informed voters.
And I appeal to civic, religious and business organizations to help in educating voters continuously, not just during elections.
As the saying goes, in every forest there are snakes and birds. Similarly, in political dynasties, there are also the good and the opportunists.