The dismantling of political dynasties, long the bane of the country’s political environment, may yet happen at last if their members find the wisdom to join the renewed clamor for the passage of the anti-dynasty bills now pending in the House.

Already, an influential member of Congress who belongs to one of the longest-reigning political clans in the country, has initiated the move for the immediate enactment of bills designed to end political dynasties.

Congressman Edno Joson, scion of a Nueva Ecija political family, the other day announced he was giving up his political plans as he vowed to spearhead the passage of bills designed to end political dynasties. He wants to give life to the anti-political dynasty provisions of the Constitution, he says.

The Constitution, under the declaration of its principles and state policies, provides that “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

The constitutional intent, of course, is clear but the absence of the enabling law has made possible the proliferations of what the Constitution specifically prohibits.

But all is not lost in the House.

Congressman Teodoro Locsin of Makati, chairman of the House committee on electoral reforms, possibly moved by Congressman Joson’s special gesture, gave assurances he would pursue passage of the twin anti-dynasty measures pending in his committee.

Such guarantee has given new life to at least two bills in the Locsin committee, one authored by Minority Leader Arthur Defensor and the other by Deputy Minority Leader Saturnino Ocampo.

Ocampo has been quoted as saying he was already losing hope for his anti-dynasty bill until Edno Joson made a stand on the issue.

While both are happy over the turn of events they are, of course, well aware of the “formidable opposition in Congress,” in reference to the influential members of political families spread out all over the country.

Still, Joson’s displayed example may yet prevail considering his own political history as a member of what has been described as “the most powerful political clan” in their own turf, now expressing his desire to serve as an example to other political clans in the country.

The fact is Joson himself has misgivings over the easy acceptance of his exhortations aware as he is of the grave implications of such decision: It is against self-interest.

Even so, he feels certain “banning political dynasties would reform the political structure of the country and put an end to corruption.” He even challenged his own family led by ex-Governor Tomas Joson “to give way to new leaders in the province.”

He said during most of those years under the Joson political dynasty’s governance, Nueva Ecija was better known for political violence.

At a news forum in Quezon City recently, Congressman Joson challenged political clans in the country to abandon their dynasties and start it by not running in next year’s elections and giving way to others for a chance to govern.

He specifically addressed his call to President Gloria Arroyo and former President Joseph Estrada to lead their respective families in the anti-dynasty campaign, saying it could get off to a good start the genuine political reforms that we are all talking about.

(zhern_218@yahoo.com)