‘Ang Kandidato’: Senate bets press end of political dynasties

Metro Manila, Philippines - Four senatorial candidates have pledged to put an end to political dynasties, saying it only benefits the interests of the politician’s family members.

During the NewsWatch Plus election roundtable “Ang Kandidato,” former lawmaker Liza Maza, transport leader Mody Floranda, and labor leaders Luke Espiritu and Leody de Guzman called on the public to reject political dynasties.

Maza and Floranda, who are running under the progressive Makabayan coalition slate, said sectoral candidates - instead of those from well-known political clans - are the true advocates of public needs.

“Sa usapin ng land reform, sa usapin ng tunay na agraryo sa lupa… hindi ito isinusulong ng mga dinastiya at hindi din isinusulong ng mayayamang pulitiko, kundi ang nagsusulong lamang nito 'yung galing mismo sa sektor ng magsasaka,” Floranda said.

[Translation: On land reform and agrarian, political dynasties and wealthy politicians do not push for these. Those who will do so are from the agriculture sector.]

“Ang pagboto doon sa mga nagdadala ng interes talaga nila at para doon sa kagalingan nila sa lahat ng aspeto ng buhay… makikita 'yan, hindi doon sa mga nakaupo ngayon, kung hindi sa amin,” said Maza.

[Translation: It is us who lobby for the people’s interests and betterment of their lives, not those who are currently in power.]

Despite the clout of political dynasties, Espiritu and de Guzman said they believe progressive candidates are “gaining ground.”

The Partido Lakas ng Masa bets noted that progressive candidates are in the Top 12 of school surveys.

“The rule of the political dynasties, hindi na 'yan [that is not] unchallenged sa ngayon at nandiyan na kami upang i-challenge 'yun [anymore and we are here to challenge that], and we are becoming a permanent feature in our electoral politics,” Espiritu said.

“'Pag hindi natapos ang paghahari ng mga political dynasty, hindi uunlad ang ating bansa dahil itong mga political dynasty na 'to, walang ibang pinagsisilbihan kundi 'yung kanilang pamilya at 'yung mga kasabwat nilang malalaking korporasyon sa ating bansa at dayuhan,” De Guzman, meanwhile, lamented.

[Translation: If political dynasties do not end, the Philippines will not prosper because they only serve their own families, big corporations who collude with them, and foreigners.]

Under the 1987 Constitution, “the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” However, an enabling law remains inexistent.

Political dynasties include the families of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.