IF YOU'RE looking for meanings in the results of last Tuesday's election from the standpoint of political dynasties, a much talked-about topic during the campaign season, forget it. Doing so could just be an exercise in futility.
The results give us mixed signals. Take the case of election results in the Davao Region. While the Caballeros (father Joe for congressman and daughter Kris for governor) tandem took a beating in Compostela Valley (Comval), their conquerors also belong to political clans - the Uys (Chiongkee in Comval and Chiong Uy in Tagum City and the Amatongs in Comval and Zamboanga de Norte).
In Davao Oriental, the Palma Gils (Governor Marlene and daughter Pia for congresswoman) were routed, but the victors include the dynastic Almarios and Dayanghirangs).
True, the Cagases (Douglas for governor, Didi for board member and Marc for congressman) prevailed in Davao del Sur, but their rival family also won in some positions (Fanklin Bautista for congressman of the 2nd District and Governor Benjamin Jr. for mayor of Malita). As everybody knows, the Dutertes (Mayor Rody for reelection and daughter Sara for vice mayor) were virtually unopposed.
So, if one looks at these results, plus the Garcias' victory in Cebu (Governor Gwen reelected, father Pablo and brother John Pablo winning congressional seats) and of the other political clans throughout the land, it can be said that political dynasticism was a non-issue in this year's just concluded elections.
Dynasties merely cancelled each other. People don't really mind electing Peter Alan Cayetano and Aquilino Pimentel III to the Senate where they have close relatives (Senator Pia is Peter's sister, while Senator Aquilino Jr. a.k.a "Nene" is Koko's father).
In last Tuesday's elections, the voters opted to consider the candidates for their qualifications, rather than vote out those known to have relatives already in power. So, it is high time we consider putting the dynasty issue aside, may permanently. After all, the final say on the issue of dynasty is still in the hands of the voters, even if vox populi is not necessarily vox dei.
