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LOCAL POLITICAL DYNASTIES

Political dynasties are not new to Philippine politics; in fact, it became a part of our culture and as the years goes by, accepted by the majority. Will it become a threat? Or an instrument for change that would lead to political stability that everybody dreamed for. Political dynasty is not only a national issue, it can be found even in the barangays and in our local cities. In Cebu for example, we Cebuanos are not strangers to this phenomena. We have in our very own province, the Garcia clan; the Osmeas and Ramas in the City of Cebu with the del Mar in the North congressional district, the Duranos in Danao, the Geronas in Tabuelan and many more. The problem with dynasties is that it prevents other qualified Filipinos from holding public office especially when their names are not so common. Opportunities are now being denied to our qualified brothers which through this, experienced inequality. Kinship politics destroys the future of democracy, for it will look like a monarchial type where succession is done by bloodline. Whoever in the position, if it is the father, he will allow his son or his wife to replace him. This is to avoid that the power will not go to another family and to ensure that no other clan will arise and establish another empire. Even the most brutal crime of the decade, the Magindanao massacre was a result of competition in the local rivalry of local political dynasty. The terrifying massacre of Medias and civilians could be an eye-opener of the influence of political dynasties in the country and the danger it imposes on the people. In this horrifying Maguindanao massacre, our people must take into account a brutal reality check how deadly Philippine democracy is. This is a concrete example of the evil effects of political dynasties emerging in our locality. Isnt there a constitutional provision prohibiting political dynasties? Yes, there is. Section 26 of Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit

political dynasties as may be provided by law. But it is a non-self-executing provision; it needs an enabling legislation to fully implement it. During the Marcos regime, Ferdinand Marcos stressed the abolition of political dynasties all over the Philippines. However, he must have driven away growing political dynasties. But then right after, he started establishing his own. He appointed relatives all over the fingers of his hands. This was the same promise Sen. Meriam Defensor-Santiago told her supporters during the 1992 presidential campaign but unfortunately, the promise remains unrealized. No way can an anti-political dynasty bill be passed in congress for congressmen are practicing such. It will surely endanger their political ambitions to establish a local political empire. So the burden falls now to the people. If congress cannot stop it, the voters can. With one powerful stroke of the pen in our ballots, we can break the chains of political dynasties or further advance its influence and continually allowing this tradition to continue. The choice is still ours. Not all political dynasties causes trouble, there are some who are sincere in there service like the Osmeas in Cebu, their performance are outstanding. There are new bread of politicians from different local areas refuses to be traditional and turn against traditional politics. This new hope that spring forth from the new politicians will not last if the people will refuse to do their part. If they will still sell their votes to some elite politicians and continue to close their eyes for whats happening around them, evil political dynasties will continue to rise and slowly it will destroy the very democracy that we are enjoying.

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