Our present Constitution actually provides a prohibition against political dynasties. However, it leaves to Congress the responsibility for enacting an implementing law and define how the prohibition could be made effective. Any person with some intelligence knows that Congress will never do that. That will be political suicide for the members of Congress who belong to the same political dynasties that the Constitution seeks to prohibit.
That leaves us - the voters - to make that Constitutional provision effective. How we do it is through one and only one thing - vote those dynasties out of office.
We missed that opportunity in the last elections as we did in elections past. I suspect we will continue to miss future opportunities because we will continue to vote for people who pay us and who give us political favors.
The question now is - do we, as a people, have the fortitude to make the right decision and the strength of character to stick to that decision?
I suspect not. The state of our economy, where people are in constant need to rely on government and politicians to survive, and the political structure of our society, which are intended to protect the very same dynasties we seek to eliminate, will detract, nay prevent, most of us from doing what is right.
At this point, I believe it will take a political "tsunami" to get us to where we want to be politically. The alternative is a long, laborious and resource-depleting effort of education of the masses. And that opens up a host of other problems that take us away farther and farther from our original objective of eliminating political dynasties.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
On Dynasties
Bacongnon man aco said...
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14 comments:
Outstanding!
The Human Rights organization said that the Philippines is the most dangerous country for journalists or media people. More than 100 journalist were alrady murdered in the last 2 years. The most horrible incident was the Maguindanao massacre which killed 58 people the majority of which were journalists. Often, killings happened in areas where there is an entrenched political dynasty.
Correction: I should say "the majority of whom were journalists" instead of "majority of which".
It is sad that almost every province in the Philippines is governed by a political dynasty. Sorsogon have the Escuderos and the Lees and now the Dionedas.
Political dynasties come and go, with few exceptions. For example, in the Bicol region, the Perfectos and Albertos of Catanduanes are gone, the Espinosas of Masbate and the Imperials of Albay are practically also gone, as are the Ojedas of Naga City. There are other examples from many different provinces and cities in the Philippines.
To a certain extent, there were also several other dynasties in Sorsogon, albeit in a less than major scale, most of which are now distant memories. We can recall the De Castros of Bulan, the Mellas and Lees of Magallanes, the Fajardos of Gubat and the Gallanosas of Irosin. Of course, the longest running political dynasty is that of the Escuderos. The Lees of Sorsogon is of a more recent vintage, while Dioneda is just about starting with the election of his son as a Provincial Board member. I did hear that the new Sorsogon City Administrator is a brother in law of Mayor Dioneda. (Lorna Figueroa resigned reportedly for health reasons but remains a consultant on housing and other projects.)
With the Escuderos as an exception, one thing we can say about Sorsogon, is that its people rarely suffer political dynasties. They may be tolerated for a while but not over many generations that you can see in other places like Cebu (Osmena), Capiz (Roxas), Batangas (Recto), La Union (Ortega)or Pampanga (Macapagal, Nepomuceno & Lazatin).
It might be argued that political dynasties may not be all that bad, per se, (there are younger generation politicians who could be better than their elders). That does not mean that people should be complacent. The main risk is that the longer a family is entrenched in power, the harder it is to dislodge that family from that powerful seat, even if the supposed "heir" is clearly unqualified, corrupt or both, or even if there might be another candidate who is much better.
On balance therefore, we go back to the education of voters to choose the best candidate. Then we go farther back to the independence of those voters which, to a major degree, is reliant on the voters' economic independence. It then lands us right back to how the economic lot of the voters can be improved so that they can think and vote wisely and independently.
A never ending cycle. Indeed, a vicious cycle that political dynasties, of course, don't want to end. It is the dilemma that confronts, and begs for a solution from, the more visionary of our leaders.
There is always the possibility that a sincere, honest and strong leader will rise and point the nation in the right direction. However, I do not foresee that happening in my lifetime.
Well said, Bacongnon Man Aco. Your grasp of the political landscape is truly masterful.
Thank you so much.
By the way, you seem to seem to forget the Laurel dynasty of Batangas.
The Laurel dynasty of Batangas basically does not exist anymore. I did not forget them. But I only gave examples of Bicolano dynasties that no longer exist and cited still existing dynasties in other places in the Philippines. If I had miscommunicated, I apologize.
I am well aware though of the Laurels of Batangas. I had dealt with some of their members (Sotero and Doy) in some non-political activities I was involved in. Also, I played volleyball on the same college varsity team with two of Sotero's sons.
Thanks again, Bacongnon Man Aco.
Obviously you are a "been there, did that" sort of guy.
We the readers are truly benefitting from your experience and knowledge.
Please continue to send your comments.
To Bacongnon Man Aco:
Just to let you know that I appreciate very much your commentaries. Intelligent and informative.
Yes, political dynasties may all fade but it takes a lifetime for them to disappear.
To Peta...
You consider the Escuderos, the Lees and the Dionedas as political dynasties? Does that mean that killings will happened in Sorsogon? To be perpetrated by these dynasties? So far, I have not known of any killings or murders related to politics that happened in Sorsogon for several years since. Or do you have of any that I have forgotten? If ever there are killings in Sorsogon, it is attributed to the atrocities committed by the NPAs. The 2010 Election in Sorsogon is peaceful. No political protests. Take note of what Bacongnon said, " Sorsogon rarely suffers political dynasties" and who else to blame if ever there is, the voters itself. As Bacongnon further said, " Education of voters to choose the right candidate". By the way are you residing today in Bacon?
Is it true Bacongnon that Lorna Figueroa resigned from her post as city administrator? I've heard from a reliable source from Bacon that if ever Dioneda win as reelectionist for Mayor, she will initiate the build up of a Bay walk from the public market to Bacon Central School?
Anonymous - No, I don't live in Bacon anymore. But I visit as often as I can, sometimes 2 or more a year, and stay for as long as I can. I have also maintained continuous and close contact with friends and relatives living in and away from Bacon, as well as, classmates from high school and college who are scattered all over the Philippines and overseas.
I have it on good authority that Lorna Figueroa had resigned. But I am not aware of the proposed project of a walkway from the market to the Central School.
To Vancouver - you can say I'm a "been there, done that" type of person but not in as wide a experience as I would have liked. I wish I had stayed more actively involved rather than what I have been - an interested observer.
And thanks, California and all, for the kind words. I will try to continue to write about issues I know of for as long as I can.
Political dynasties motivation is accumulation of power and wealth. Corruption and violence often follows.
Political dynasties or not, Pilipinos in general, are politically insane, if not immature, voters and candidates alike. Proof: over the years, the country has not resurrected to something more impressive. There is no more hiding from the bad reputation it has shamelessly etched itself in the international scene. Poverty, moral degeneration, corruption and crime still persist in the social, civic and economic veins of its citizenry like uncontrollable venom. Its spiritual vein has also been weakened. And this is year after year, after year.....
I pray that there is somebody still out there who will do the right job. But then again, the vital support should come from well-minded voters, citizens and colleagues. ?????
To Frustrated, you are right and I and millions understand your frustrations.
Corruption in the Philippine is part of its culture, sad to say.
indeed a sad development for sorsoganons. they are again robbed of their right to good governance. what do we expect from these 'winners'? they have been there the past decade or 2..what had only improved are their personal agendas...nice cars, vast ownership of lands, more lust to power. mr chiz escudero if you want to be the next president please take this as a challenge.. clean your backyard first please..
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