Political dynasty of the opposition
Visayan Daily Star
Perspective
25 Jan 2007
Rowena V. Guanzon
Political dynasty
For once I agree with former Senator Kit Tatad, who was Ferdinand Marcos’ Minister of Information in his younger and more powerful days. Kit Tatad has publicly denounced the United Opposition’s move to field Allan Cayetano, Koko Pimentel and JV Ejercito as senatorial bets. Congressman Allan Cayetano is brother to Senator Pia Cayetano, Koko (who lost when he ran for mayor of Cagayan de Oro City) is the son of Nene Pimentel , and JV Ejercito is Joseph Estrada’s son with businesswoman Guia G. Gomez from Bacolod. I do not know if Senator Pia Cayetano agrees with this idea, but she is an independent person, has a mind and beliefs of her own and her younger brother cannot influence her vote. But if they win, there will be six members of the Senate who are immediate family members. The Senate did have at one time both John and Serge Osmena, but they are first cousins.
The constitution prohibits political dynasties, but since there is no law regulating these, strictly speaking there is no obstacle for these candidates and their families to indulge in their campaign spree. But Kit Tatad is right, if they pursue their plan,that means that about one-fourth of the Senate will be occupied by father, son and siblings, and what does that mean for our democracy? It is easy enough for congressmen or senators to influence each other’s vote even if they are not related as long as they have the same interests to protect. What more if they are from the same “house,” and closely-knit families?
The irony of it is that this plan is coming from the opposition, which is supposed to be the people’s balancer of interests in Congress. They should have had more sensitivity to the people’s intelligence and the principles of democracy that they say they also stand on instead of throwing this idea or plan without concern for its meaning and consequences. Yes, political parties’ main objective is to win, but do they have to do this? Surely there are other equally good candidates who can win.
The opposition has computed its votes and probably decided that since they have the same political base (which may have increased) it is better to hit two birds with one stone, or rather, six senators with three candidates. This plan shows how immature our political parties can get, and I am not just saying it is always the opposition that commits blunders like these. Instead of reducing Congress into a family affair, the party gate-keepers and leaders should build stronger political parties based on principles and track record. Unfortunately, these political leaders know very well that the voters have not reached that level of maturity either, so they might as well do what they want. Given the voting pattern of Filipinos, who vote based on personal ties, name recall or showbiz appeal instead of principles, I would not be surprised if at least two out of three of these potential candidates will actually win.
Rowena V. Guanzon is blogging at http://www.bingguanzon.com/
