The COCs — Clash of Clans

The many stories read and heard about political families clashing and fighting amongst themselves reminds me of a mobile video game called Clash of Clans. It has a medieval set up where the player is the chief of the village and gains resources of gold and elixir (magic potion) by attacking other people in the community. As the player gets more villagers in his side, they build their ‘fortified goblin village’ a protection against their enemies who partake in clan wars. Okay! So this is fantasy, it’s a video game. But in our country, it’s a reality!

How desperate are the political dynasties in the Philippines from Aparri to Jolo. Shame on you! Please be reminded that the Philippines and your believed to be “territory” doesn’t belong to you. In fact, you should teach your children and your grandchildren good manners. Many carry an attitude of entitlement, a feeling of ownership of the town or city they supposedly ‘serve’. Sanamagan!

Many of our political leaders are old and weary but they want to continue to serve the country. Haven’t you served enough years in your lifetime? And if you are really good, then why is our country still the same if not worse?

Last week’s filing of the certificates of candidacy for the mid-term elections gave me goosebumps. It brought the spirits of many Filipinos down seeing many unqualified candidates, children/grandchildren of old ‘trapos’ determined to make public service their family enterprise. Susmariosep!

Can you imagine how blinded these candidates coming from political dynasties are? They remind me of cold-blooded animals unmindful of the tragic legacy their families have brought to their villages, towns, cities, provinces. Don’t they see or feel the misery in their bailiwick? I’m quite perplexed and petrified on how they can even face the people knowing the history of slow and pathetic development in their areas. I’d hate to mention names of towns, cities and provinces at this point but just look around dear candidates and look at the scum your families have done and brought upon your areas. Clearly, there is no progress and form of development. Don’t you have shame on the filth and dirt you have around your bailiwicks? The people your families have served throughout the years have continued to live in misery and torment. Have some respect and stop bringing in false pride. There is really nothing at this point to be proud of.

Your families have just shown their true colors. Siblings fighting each other, father-son cursing at each other to the detriment of the grandchildren who suffer. Wives of first, second, third, and fourth families pulling each other’s hair in public. Brothers and sisters stabbing each other. Family tragedies. Clan wars. Revenge. Killings. And the sad part of this, is that you still want more? Greed! Avarice! Glut!

The 1987 Constitution states in Article II, Section 26 that, “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” Despite this provision in the Constitution, it is only the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2016 that has been implemented concerning the status of political dynasties in the Philippines. Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, Book 1, Chapter 1, Section 43 explicitly states the term of local government officials but does not include any limitations on the running of the incumbent’s relatives or on the holding of multiple positions by members of the same family.

There have been several bills filed in relation to the prohibition of political dynasties, and are currently pending to be approved by Congress. Calls for Congress to pass the Anti-Dynasty Law have been made but this bill continues to be passed over by each Congress since 1987. Clearly, our Congressmen are only working for themselves. Surely, they will never pass the anti-dynasty bill. They really dream of becoming the immortal ones!

In 2011, the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago filed Senate Bill 2649 which prohibits political dynasties from holding or running for elected local government positions. The bill disqualifies the following: relatives of an incumbent elected official running for reelection up to the second degree of consanguinity, and are planning to run in the same province in the same election as the elected official; relatives of an incumbent elected official that holds a national position up to the second degree of consanguinity, and are planning to run in the province of origin of the elected official; and persons that are not relatives of elected officials that are candidates to the same position in the same province in the same election but are related to each other up to the second degree of consanguinity. The bill also prohibits relatives within the prohibited civil degree relationship of an incumbent from succeeding to the incumbent’s position, except for the positions of Punong Barangay and Sagguniang Barangay.

Three other similar bills were filed in the House of Representatives: House Bill 172, House Bill 837, and House Bill 2911. In 2013, these three bills were put together and became House Bill 3587. In 2016, the Sangguniang Kabataang Reform Law (RA No. 10742) was signed into law which made some significant changes to the SK. It changed the age of the council from 15 to 17 years old to 24 years old and forbids individuals from seeking a youth council appointment who are closer than the second degree of consanguinity from any elected or appointed official in the same area. This was the closest we got into creating a law with an anti-dynasty restriction for elected positions as permitted by the 1987 Constitution.

From 2016-2017 statistics, over 70% to 75% of the members of Congress came from political dynasties. Notable of these political dynasties are the Marcoses of Ilocos Norte, Estradas of San Juan, Binays of Makati, Aquinos of Tarlac, Ampatuans of Maguindanao, Cayetanos of Taguig, Ortegas of La Union, Abayas of Cavite, Revillas of Cavite, Aguilar of Las Pinas, Angaras of Aurora, Alcalas of Quezon Province, Arroyos of Pampanga, Camarines Sur and Negros Occidental, Romualdez of Leyte, Eusebios of Pasig, and the Dutertes of Davao. They continue to have their presence felt in both the local and national elections.

So, what gives? How will we end this perennial problem that has strengthened the roots of corruption in government?