IN AN interview on Frankahay Ta last month, Sen. JV Ejercito promised to continue to push for the passage of an anti-dynasty law if he is reelected. When I reminded him that his advocacy could cost him his reelection, especially that he’s not doing very well in pre-election surveys, Ejercito offered a compromise: instead of a total ban, a family can have one national and one local elective official serving at the same time.
Ejercito, of course, belongs to a family that had and continue to have members in political offices. His father is a former president of the Republic and is currently mayor of Manila. His mother used to be mayor of San Juan. His half-brother, Jinggoy, was a senator, as was Jinggoy’s mother. In the May 2019 elections, Jinggoy, like JV, is running for the Senate while their mayor father, Erap, is seeking reelection.
They’re not alone. In Cebu, only a few incumbent top officials do not have family members running in 2019. The outstanding exceptions include Gov. Hilario Davide III, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, his opponent, Vice Mayor Edgar Labella, Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing and Toledo City Mayor Sonny Osmeña. Note must be made, however, of the fact that Osmeña’s wife, Margot was a city councilor for three terms and a Labella son ran for office three years ago.
In the first congressional district, Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas and his grandson, Rep. Samsam, will be swapping positions in 2019. In the City of Naga, incumbent Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong will instead run for vice mayor while her father, former mayor Val, will run for mayor.
In the second district, Rep. Wilfredo Caminero will seek reelection together with his younger brother, Stanley, the Argao municipal mayor.
In the third district, Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia has chosen to vacate her seat and instead go for a return to the Capitol where she served for nine years. Her brother Pablo John is aiming to succeed her. One of Pablo John’s opponents is Geraldine Yapha, whose father, former Rep. Antonio, is running for reelection as Toledo City vice mayor. Another relative is running for Pinamungahan mayor.
In the fourth district, Rep. Benhur Salimbangon has picked his wife to succeed him. Daphne, a daughter, is running for vice governor. Former congressman Celestino Martinez Jr. is eyeing his old seat against Salimbangon’s wife. Junnie’s son, Carlo, and daughter Ma. Cielo are Bogo City mayor and vice mayor, respectively. Both are running for reelection.
In the fifth district, the Ramonito branch of the Durano clan reigns supreme. Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who is a candidate for governor, is a relative. Magpale’s son, Migs, is a candidate for Board member. Red Durano is the incumbent congressman. He will be challenged by former Liloan mayor Duke Frasco. Duke is a son-in-law of gubernatorial candidate Gwendolyn. His wife, Cristina, is the incumbent Liloan mayor.
In the seventh district, Rep. Peter John Calderon, whose father, former congressman Emerito, is the mayor of Samboan, is running for reelection. Opposing him is another Garcia brother, former Dumanjug mayor Nelson. If Nelson, Pablo John and Duke Frasco all win, the Garcia family will make history by sending the most number of representatives from Cebu to the same House.
In the lone district of Lapu-Lapu, three-term Mayor Paz Radaza is aiming to replace her daughter Aileen in Congress. Her husband, Arturo, wants to replace her as mayor. The spouses have ruled Lapu-Lapu City for a total of 18 years.
We can all rue that the opportunities for elective public service have remained inaccessible to families who have no political degrees despite the constitutional mandate to democratize them. The fact, however, is that these families did not exactly ascend to political dominance under the divine right of kings. We, the people, elected them, so what’s the fuss?