"You cannot stop people from wanting to serve."
Presidential candidate and UniTeam member Bongbong Marcos had this to say on the topic of political dynasties during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum Wednesday morning, March 16.
Bongbong was asked about the prospect of him being in government with two close relatives--his sister, incumbent Senator Imee Marcos and his son, aspiring Ilocos Norte congressman Sandro Marcos--should things go their way in the upcoming May 2022 polls.
"Imee wants to serve. I want to serve. Sandro my son wants to serve. What would I tell them, 'No, don't help?'" Bongbong said sarcastically.
"Kung binoto naman ng tao (If they were elected by the people), eh di they deserve to be wherever they are," he noted.
According to the former senator, the purpose of the elections is to precisely keep political dynasties in check by giving voters the opportunity to unseat them.
"The idea of political dynasties I think...again...that is very clear that the poltical dynasties have a very...there's a very good system or process to mitigate the overstaying, let's say, political dynasties and it's called an election.
"How many large political dynasties have we seem that has been there for two generations, maybe more, na bumaliktad o nawala dahil ayaw na ng tao? (that was toppled because the people didn't want them anymore?)" Bongbong said.
"Besides, why should Imee not be allowed to go to work? She does very good work," he insisted.
At any rate, Bongbong argued that the term "political dynasty" has never been properly defined in the Philippine setting.