A joke or a stroke of genius?

Cebu City Vice Mayor Tomas Osmeña floated on Thursday, Feb. 19 an unorthodox yet sensible solution to the long-standing problem of political dynasties in the country.

Osmeña did so during a public consultation held by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms at the University of the Philippines-Cebu (UP-Cebu). Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong chairs the committee.

Osmeña began his remarks with a clear-cut declaration: "I'm in favor of the anti-[political] dynasty bill."

"At sa ating lahat (To all of us), think very clearly to help accelerate it. You can encourage one family member to run against another. That will allow many families to split up," the vice mayor candidly said. This triggered laughter from the crowd.

"I don't mind that," the official added, causing the people to laugh some more over his "joke".

But Osmeña next few words made him out to be sincere with his suggestion: "I would like to thank the Cebuano for giving me the opportunity, I have served them for so long. Give others a chance. Thank you very much."

The Osmeñas form historically one of the most influential dynasties in Cebu, with members serving as mayors, governors, senators, and even a Philippine president in Sergio Osmeña Sr.

The 1987 Constitution provides for a ban on political dynasties, but Congress has never been able to pass an implementing law. One of the sticking points has been determining up to which degree of consanguinity of a politician's kin would be allowed to vie for public office.

Osmeña suggestion skirts this tough decision by employing a "survival of the fittest" mechanic that pits relatives against each other in one given position during elections.

However, this doesn't address hypothetical instances of relatives running against each other in multiple positions--something that a true-blue Anti-Political Dynasty Law would seek to prevent.

Adiong, who presided over the event, didn't immediately comment on the vice mayor's pitch.

Cebu City 1st district Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar is among the authors of the 24 anti-political dynasty bills referred to the suffrage panel. She attended the public consultation at UP-Cebu, her Alma Mater.

Del Mar--who also belongs to known political clan--shared how her family has addressed the dynasty issue.

"Never at any point in time was there more than one Del Mar from our family that ran in the same elections. That we made sure of," she said.

"Many times my dad was offered you run for mayor and then your daughter can run for Congress. My dad said no. We don’t want to be selfish,” she said.