PAGBABAGO
It’s been 37 years since the 1987 Constitution was overwhelmingly ratified at a national plebiscite. Since then, legislators in both Senate and House had crafted and filed provisions on political dynasty. As mandated by the Charter, the provision needing an enabling law states, “The State shall guarantee equal opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be provided by law.”
We are now at the 19th Congress, with bills authored by Senators Miriam Santiago, Grace Poe, Panfilo Lacson, Bam Aquino, Francis Pangilinan, Rep. Leni Robredo and several representatives, from the Liberal Party and party list groups, Senate President Franklin Drilon, and Sen. Robin Padilla. Most of these bills merely reached first reading.
At the recent filing of candidacy for the 2025 mid-term election, a considerable increase in the number of candidates coming from families already holding political positions was noted. This was true not only for Congress but also for local government.
S.B. 2730 authored by Sen. Robin Padilla provides a comprehensive statement by showing a large percentage of increase in the number of governors and mayors having relatives in their employ. It also cited studies showing that local government funding was larger in areas with more political dynasties. However, these cities and provinces showed higher rates of crime and poor governance, but lower spending on employment, infrastructure, and health care.
Given the history of political dynasties in the country, I would agree with Dr. Ronald Mendoza, former dean of the Ateneo School of Government who noted that the better alternative is not to ban but regulate political dynasties.
To my mind, the cancer had metastasized to the extent that it would be counter-productive to ban them. Therefore, the need to seek alternatives which may take time before we can begin to see positive results.
We can begin by working with ongoing reforms such as the Educational Commission or EDCOM II and similar initiatives that intend to overhaul our top-down educational system, the mass media, as well as experiments in utilizing the new information technology — AI, Internet of Things, video, and social media in both our formal and non-formal learning activities. Such reforms should focus on reforms that often involve radical paradigm shifts. These demands the cooperation of everyone involved in learning, information, communication, and the social sciences. This re-design involves a philosophy that gives focus on “learning to live and work together,” networking, and strengthening values of sharing, compassion, and cooperation. It means reaching out to the community, breaking down walls and fences, and engaging in authentic dialogue outside our comfort zones.
Without realizing it, our institutions have become fossilized, and our decision-makers, and our own families have been building and strengthening hierarchies and divisions. Our family-oriented culture had been strengthening social inclusion, which had resulted in creating political and economic dynasties.
It will not be an easy task and could take an entire generation or two before the results become manifest, but we must start somewhere. And we can do that with our educational and information systems. Although it would take time as the reform involves a shift in mindset and the inculcation of new values and behavior, we believe that it is the more sustainable path. We shall continue this exploration through sharing of insights and experiences from people grounded in the community and those with foresight and future orientation. ([email protected])