Political Destiny

Political activists and the media resurrect the issue on political dynasty within the Philippine political landscape. It is election season and the issue is ripe again for unsolicited opinions should one is dying to know its legal definition. But the fact remains, this political dynasty thing will be re-archived in memory after the elections. Talk to a politician, talk to the hand is what one gets when the dug-up yet recyclable topic is about a bloodline running the operations of our government. But we still wonder why those self-confessed game-changers keep banging their heads for such hallucinating idea of electoral reforms in this country the few consider as the “rising tiger of Asia”.

The law on political dynasty is nil. It can stay in the dark pages of our history for a long period of time for no politician can define it. What is clear thus, is that it is not the duty of the Mayor or President to define the term but those of the members of Congress. Only a law passed by the legislature can define what criteria can prohibit a dynasty. But no senator would gamble hypocrisy for shame pronouncing to effect a sudden death to a colleague’s political career. However, since this issue has been submitted before the bar of public opinion, it is also important to determine who is privy to it. It is not for us to speculate what a dynasty is if at all our thoughts can substitute those in the minds of our lawmakers. In the stricter sense, who poses to benefit an anti-dynasty law if the government is let to some fragile and inexperienced hands?

Our history has so far groomed into politics sons and daughters of presidents to the highest office. Arroyo and Aquino are on top in these long lists of names. For senators we have the Estradas, Cayetanos, Aquinos, Magsaysays, Escudero, Revillas, Villar, Pimentel, and even Enrile, etc. There is branding in politics and sometimes, a candidate whose successors succeed in this field but with poor credentials will become triumphant over the one who can speak well of any socially-relevant issues but who do not enjoy a legacy from the family. But at the last count minding the previous national and local elections, not all candidates from show business won. It may be an important indicator defying personality-based branding which is already imbedded within the realm of Philippine politics. At any rate, those who intend to handle an elective post in government should possess all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under our laws. Definitely, our election laws do not bar a neophyte for being a sibling of a clan of winnable candidates.

What grievous sin do candidates commit for being the son or daughter of a good public servant? It is not dynasty that takes its course here when people stick to their chosen names. It is good or quality service passed around and the beauty of democracy begins when people sincerely exercise their suffrage rights. Nepotism in appointive positions would strike hard to abusive officials hiring family members in same office but not in any electoral exercise when the ballots spell destiny for a candidate. A hairline distinction can be made. Public position is not property, it cannot be inherited for when the president dies, his wife (talking about a future president), cannot inherit his seat in Malacañang. When political dynasty becomes political destiny, it is certainly sanctioned from up above. Remember, vox populi, vox dei.

                So what’s the fuss all about? It is a non-issue insofar as it is not the root cause of the many problems of this country. There is still equal access to opportunities and by and large, everyone poses to benefit the dynasty of good deeds of politicians who do not belong to the bad eggs. In this lifetime, we have been served by a political figure whose name he cared after his father’s. Vice-Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte is a brand of pro-people, pro-masses politics. He lifted the city to unprecedented heights and one can roam around Davao to know what I mean by this. But City Mayor Sara did not hide from the shadow of his father. She has a decision of her own and that is the brand of the Duterte politics. What the future will unfold, I believe Mayor Inday’s supporters are just around the nook.