Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Ledesma: Political dynasty By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
THOSE who crafted the Cory Constitution in 1987 had political dynasty written on the charter but it needs an enabling law.
Since the spirit of that provision runs counter to the core nature of politicians no one from among the gallant lawmakers ever attempted to sponsor the enabling bill, or if a few attempted to do so, their proposals have been relegated to the dustbin of Congress history very much like a motion killed for a lack of a second.
Fact is from the very beginning the anti-political dynasty provision was nothing but a whimsical wish. The framers of the Cory Constitution knew this will never happen in this century, they should have expunged it to save us from national embarrassment.
For our consolation, in America, the seat of democracy, the Kennedys, Bushes, Clintons to name a few, are a dynasty while Lee Kwan Yew's family rules Singapore as if no other can. In exaggeration we have Kim Il Jong and family who consider North Korea their fiefdom (and the rest of the world their enemies).
Past and current history and events would tell us that dynasties are anthropological and political realities. Because they are, we might as well live with it and put the blame on the framers of our present Constitution for having been blinded with utopian models that are only made in heaven.
To put a local color to it, it's like banning aerial spray and ordering farmers to put 30-meters buffer zone on farms near public roads, populated areas when you know that this will reduce the income of the farmers by not less than 30 percent. That ordinance is bound to be defied, make no mistake about that Sangguniang nit-witticism. But that is another story.
In Davao, dynasty is a political reality that is of the same mold as in advanced democracies. From the start of my own political awareness, which dates back to Mayor Carmelo Porras to the present I do not see any change in this political reality.
However, as with the dynasties of yore, some families just ran out of stock to perpetuate them in power. Porras well-admired administration ended with Igso, Lorenzo Sarmiento's enviable track record stopped with Roger's own excellent performance, the kaleidoscopic political reign of Landring Almendras seemed to have ended with the terms of Al and Dodong, while Luis Santos' attempt to have his sons (he should have tried his brilliant daughters) and son in-law to take after him seemed to fizzle out for good.
But we have emerging political clans that have taken roots. Ben Bautista, the patriarch of the Bautista family, seemed to rule it all over Davao del Sur. Nonoy Garcia has Vincent, the late Elias Lopez can perpetuate his clout through sons Ruy and Rene, Boy Nograles is grooming Karlo. VM Louie Bonguyan will have his son running for councilor while Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has tapped his pretty daughter Sarah to take his path.
It's all a family affair in Davao del Norte. Anthony del Rosario is in the gubernatorial race while the father, Dolfo, may run uncontested in the mayoral race in IGACOS. Of course RDR himself had ruled Davao del Norte with corporate savvy until his terms ended, a tough act which Yayong can hardly follow.
Tagum Mayor Rey Uy has set an example of how their family does it in politics thus helping his brother Arthur bid for governor's seat in Compostela Valley. Pros Amatong looks like he's quitting politics but has honed his son for the congressional post he will vacate. If you think that's too much think of this outgoing Comval Governor Joe Caballero will run for congress and will have his daughter Christy vie for governor.
I am not going to tell you who among our local leaders have the politician's genes that deserve to be cloned. There are few exceptions from the enumeration that I did above. It's a different story with those running for the senate. It's not only a dynasty some of these demagogues want to establish, they are out to make politics their family industry. Beware of their kind.
My publisher says, when one studies a little more, he'll find out that the world's most trusted institution in points of continuity, reliability and excellence in many fields -- politics, the professions, sports and even entertainment -- is still the family.
