Most of our countrymen still feel happy about the present national leadership. The latest surveys even show its popularity rating even increasing a bit.
Lately however, it is becoming a wonder why this administration seems to have a ‘hands off’ attitude towards some proposed measures that majority in this country feel would be good if we are all intent on pushing the nation forward. These include the Reproductive Health Bill and the Freedom of Information Bill that many believe, if they had the President’s support would have been laws by now.
And now, here comes the anti- political dynasty bill proposed by Sen Miriam Defensor (Senate Bill 2649). It looks like it is again a ‘hands- off stance that Malacanang is exhibiting on this matter.
The past months showed a growing clamor to have this bill passed in light of the coming midterm elections in 2013 and the national elections in 2016. A taxpayer, Louis Birrago, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court to compel the Commission on Elections to enforce measures to stop political dynasties from further fielding members of their families and clans to simultaneously run and/ or hold elective positions in government. This is embodied in the 1987 Philippine Constitution …under Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution is the provision that ‘the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law…’
To which Comelec retorts that the office does not have the power to do this. Comelec Chairman Sixto K. Brillantes has evensuggested for a People’s Initiative to start the ball rolling on the clamor to put a stop to the system of dynasties in Philippine politics.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson, now on his last term at the Senate. thinks this suggestion by Brillantes is sound- perhaps, he said, congressmen would be pressured by the insistence of their constituencies since these solons are supposed’ to represent people in their political areas.
But Sen. Sergio Osmena III is not as optimistic. Osmena remembers that he filed a similar bill during his first senatorial term in 1995. He said it only reached until the preparation of a committee report owing to the quick negative reactions of fellow solons specially those in Congress.
In that bill, Osmena said, persons related within the second degree of consangui-nity or affinity, legitimate or illegitimate, to an incumbent elective official vying for re election , are prohibited to hold or run for any elective office in the same office or in the same election. Excluded are the elective national offices of the presidency, vice presidency and senatorial. This provision in Osmena’s bill is similar to the present bill authored by colleague Sen. Santiago.
Included in Osmena’s definition of ‘political dynasty’ are the first degree members- spouse, children and parents of the incumbent; second degree would be made up of brothers and sisters, grandparents, and grandchildren of the incumbent; third degree includes great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, and great grandparents of the incumbent.
Perhaps inspired by the Comelec Chief’s urging for a People’s Initiative, a number of groups led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, Jr. have, late last month, filed a petition with the Supreme Court urging the highest judicial body in the land to compel Congress of the Philippines to enact an enabling law against the proliferation and continuation of political dynasties. Guingona was joined by such civil society stalwarts as Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption founding Chair Dante Jimenez, lawyers Leonard de Vera, Raymundo Jarque, Vicente Velasquez and Eduardo Bringas in filing the petition.
The group cited studies on the current proliferation of political dynasties in the country- 584 officials (including seven presidents, two vice presidents, 42 senators, and 147 congressmen)coming from 169 families who have been in government as elected officials from 1946- 1963. They likewise identified alleged dynasties, at least eight of them, now in government (up in the list is President Noy’s, VP Jojo Binay, Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile, Joseph Estrada, Pia and Allan Peter Cayetano, Senators Manuel Villar and Edgardo Angara).
Many Filipinos would like to put a stop to political dynasties . Kagulat- gulat indeed that they flourished after the People Power period of our history in 1986. Seems like going back to democracy was truly a kabigla- biglang experience for them that is why kinareer (root word- ‘career’) na nila ang kanilang elective positions. Na- happy kaya sila to the max that Marcos was out and baka naman pwede na rin nila maambisyunan to be the next great political dynasty of this nation- salin- salin, pasa- pasa na lang ang government position and kung pwedeng makasingit in another position e di so much the better?
Hindi na po siguro pwede ngayon.
Sobra na, tama na, will be the chant of the citizenry.
Sana lang, our big wish is for President Noy to lead us in this conviction- di ba sabi nya ‘Daang Matuwid’ lang? Can’t he put the same zeal and commitment that he displayed during the move to oust Renato Corona from the Supreme Court on the anti- political dynasty bill? Idagdag na rin sana nya yung mga waiting bills- the Freedom of Info bill and the RH Bill.
I welcome a new daughter in the embrace of my family- Veronica, 14 years old. We will try to guide her into a more loving and happier future. Again, my thanks to San Miguel Corp. for helping out during Family Day in Bgy Kaunlaran, Cubao, Quezon City last month.
THANK YOU, TORONTO!
