Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre is not in favor of banning so-called political dynasties, even as he suggests that more people should vie for public office.

''Anyone must not be disqualified for running for a position just because his or her family is already involved in politics,'' Acidre said during a press conference Wednesday, July 2.

''What is important is his or her qualification to be in the position,'' he added.

“Hindi naman fair na ang isang politiko ay ating sasabihin ay hindi yan competent, hindi yan qualified sa kadahilanan lang kung sino ang magulang o kamag-anak nila. Dapat ang tanong natin, kaya ba niyang maglingkod? Nararapat ba siyang mahalal? (It is not fair to judge a politician of being incompetent and unqualified just because of his parents or relatives. What we should ask is, are they capable of serving? Are they worthy of being elected?)” he said.

Acidre says political dynasties “are not the problem but rather symptomatic of the problem we have.

“Ang problema talaga natin (Our problem really) is political participation,” he said in response to his fellow House lawmakers’ move of filing a measure defining and banning political dynasties in the country.

“Paano natin gagawin na mas maraming Pilipino pa ang pwedeng sa politika ng ating bansa (What should we do to encourage more Filipinos to get involved in politics)?” he asked. Acidre says that rather than excluding people, it is more important to focus on involving more qualified Filipinos in the political arena.

“There are few political opportunities for people to participate. Buksan ho natin yun. Bigyan ho natin ng pagkakataon kasi ang politika hindi lang naman pagtakbo sa eleksyon (Let’s open this opportunity. Let’s give Filipinos the chance to participate in politics, which can be done not only through elections),” he said.

“Makilahok po tayo, makialam po tayo sa mga isyong pinag-uusapan at sa kanahilanan po yun magkakaroon ng mas malawak na pakunawa ang ating mga kababayan sa estado ng ating politika (Let’s get involved. Let’s look at the issues so we can have wider understanding of the current state of politics in the country),” he added.