(Editor’s note: Many bills are pending in Congress to stop political dynasties.  Not one came near to a first reading, as noted by the author.)

THIS week the Supreme Court dismissed with finality all petitions to stop political dynasties, declaring that the issue raised asked for answers to a “political question” which only Congress can address by passing an enabling act to implement the constitutional provision.  Families and their nearest kin need a legislative definition of what is a political dynasty and the form of prohibition to be imposed.

Self-defense and family

 livelihood

There are various bills pending in the House and Senate all denouncing and prohibiting political dynasties. Not one of them ever came close to a reading of their titles. In southern Mindanao, at least four family members want to represent four constituencies outside of their hometown and home province, claiming valid residence in all four. One member, a mayor, was recently declared an outsider –not a resident of the town. Years ago one female family “member” was elected to the House. For the box SEX on the official form she wrote: “3 times a week.”

The Civil Code has a clear definition of the nearest kin who are the closest among the nearest kin. At least three classes can qualify: (1) ascendants/descendants, like grandparents down to grandchildren, (2) husband and wife – not wives, and (3) brothers and sisters. If the anti-dynasty law, if there is one, is strictly followed, only one member can run for an elective post and if one of them is an incumbent in an elective office, no other member can qualify for another elective position.

Pork for all

If two brothers sit as senators, the pork fund, at R200 M each, will mean a clean R400 M as contribution of taxpayers.  Senators have no clear constituencies to represent and they can distribute the pork fund like a personal asset from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.  This is one reason why COA identified a “bogus NGO” in southern Mindanao as beneficiary of R195 M given by three senators.  (Sayang lang!)  The amount can feed thousands suffering from near famine in provinces impoverished by typhoons, floods, landslides, and other disasters.

Sure livelihood

One purpose of the constitutional ban on political dynasties is to stop politicians from making public offices an easy source of SURE livelihood in which tax money is invested. Do you see huge streamers with “Happy Birthday” greetings to politicians? These are not paid from private funds or personal pockets but from tax money cleverly defined in budgets for provinces, cities, and towns. A clear expense of R500,000 will not dent various large sums hidden in LGU budgets declaring for this/that purpose.

Private Purpose

The Sandiganbayan this week sentenced a former provincial governor in northern Mindanao to a prison term of six to 10 years in prison and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. The governor had used his province’s resources and manpower for a project undertaken outside the province by a private company owned by the convict’s family, according to the anti-graft court. Some top officials, elective/appointive, are easily tempted to use tax money for various personal gains for lack of strict restrictions. We always read COA reports of tax money by the tens of millions being diverted illegally. Stolen money or property can no longer be recovered or returned. Thieves don’t keep stolen money in a friendly neighborhood bank or piggy banks made of bamboo.

Our old pols

Quezon and Osmeña were the unchallenged political leaders in the country for 37 years, 1907 to 1944. Can anyone of us point to their nearest kin as political heirs in their lifetime? Old political giants like Yulo, Aquino (Noynoy’s grandfather), Lopez, and Recto never thought of politics as career for their children or nearest kin.

For helping a distant kin

Genaro Magsaysay was elected senator after the death of his brother in a Cebu plane crash in March 1957. President Magsaysay reportedly fired his executive secretary, Fred Ruiz Castro, for giving the President’s distant cousin a small job. Castro was the first promoter of MPM (Magsaysay for President Movement). Asked by reporters why he was sacked, Castro cited the title of a popular movie then: “Because Love is a Many-Splendored Thing.” Castro never cried FOUL. From top Cabinet member, Castro was demoted to NBI director and rose to Chief Justice over the years.”   (Comments are welcome at roming@pefianco.com)