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Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Editorials: Political dynasties fall, but…
Yesterday’s front-page photo showed polio-stricken governor-elect Grace Padaca of Isabela standing up to the schemes of the defeated Gov. Faustino Dy is indeed one of the positive stories in the just concluded May 10 elections.
Padaca defeated a member of one of the country’s most powerful clans, pitting faith in her people and a shoestring budget against the resources of a logging and construction magnate whose power and influence extend far beyond Isabela.
The Dys ruled Isabela for more than 30 years, proof enough of the magnitude of Padaca’s win that attracted not only local but also international attention.
It must be noted, however, that Padaca merely put a face to a political development seen from time to time in many areas of the country—one that still has to be evaluated if it really signals an overhaul of the country’s traditional politics.
In our setup, political dynasties do fall. But some political clans merely brush off the dust from their tumble and come back. And where the old ones fail to recover lost ground, the victors more often than not set up their own political dynasties.
In Cebu, the Osmeñas do have a political dynasty though not the kind prevailing, say, in the fifth district with the Duranos or in the fourth district with the Martinezes. It’s a hold that has similarities with the way the Gullases are keeping sway in the first district and the Ouanos in Mandaue City.
The Osmeñas, the Gullases and the Ouanos rely on political savvy more than anything else, making them less unbeatable than say the Duranos and the Martinezes whose hold on their constituents include the economic.
But there is still no assurance that the political dynasties of the Duranos and the Martinezes will last forever. Years ago, the Abineses, whose politics mirrored that of the Duranos and Martinezes, did tumble, although they are trying to claw back up.
Indeed, not all political dynasties are forever. But every fall of a political dynasty does not necessarily mean political dynasty-ism is on the way out.
Opposition now has ball
After weeks of using the media to accuse the Arroyo administration of massive cheating in the May 10 elections, the opposition now has a chance to bring the matter to the proper forum, the National Board of Canvassers.
To hold a press conference and present a proof or two about supposed cheating without being contradicted is one thing. To question the validity of the certificates of canvass in front of representatives of the opposing parties is another.
As Cebuanos would say, anhi na makita ang katag.
(June 1, 2004 issue)
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