Breaking the Political Dynasty Pattern in the Philippines

A law that would prohibit the build-up of political dynasty anyplace in the Philippines is about to transform the political future of the country when it is enacted into law.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, author of the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, according to a report, succeeded in refilling the bill prior to Congress went into recess on October 14.

Sen. Lacson, who is not recognized to have fielded any members of his household onto the political arena in the nation, deserved to be commended for this landmark bill.

Once signed into law by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the anti-political dynasty bill will cover the elections in 2010. As a consequence we will be seeing political ambitions of numerous local politicians vanished into oblivion before the a lot anticipated 2010 polls.

This bill really should have been passed a lengthy time ago, but as they say: "superior late than by no means." It is only in the Philippines where we find too substantially leniency on the issue of political dynasty.

Our history is replete with accounts that political dynasty brings a lot more harm than excellent to our nation. Political dynasty is one particular of the root causes why it is hard to address the issue of graft and corruption.

With this law receiving adequate assistance in the Senate, we really should anticipate a nationwide cleanup of powerful households dominating politics in many parts of the country.

The senators who supported the committee report are (take note) Chiz Escudero, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Rodolfo Biazon, Loren Legarda, Manuel Roxas II, Jamby Madrigal, Richard Gordon, Lito Lapid, Joker Arroyo and Francis Pangilinan. Senator Pia Cayetano did not sign the report, news sources mentioned. Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Lito Lapid and Juan Miguel Zubiri had expressed their intention to inhibit from signing the bill.

Soon we will know the accurate colors of these senators. Those who will vote against this bill can be ostracized by the public for putting their own interest ahead of the people's.

There is a touch of irony in this initiative since Gloria Arroyo would have the final say on Lacson's anti-political dynasty bill. The public should watch out how the president will manage this bill since Gloria's family members, according to a Philippine Star's news write-up, is "a very best example of what a political dynasty is."

An excerpt of the news report reads: "In Malacanang, President Arroyo is observed as the very best example of what political dynasty is. Presidential sons Dato Arroyo and Juan Miguel Zubiri are representatives of Camarines Sur and Pampanga, respectively. The president's brother-in-law, Ignacio Arroyo, is a representative of Negros while Rep. Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, a further sibling of To begin with Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, has been accredited recently as a representative of Kasangga party-list group."

Once again, kudos to Senator Ping Lacson. Lacson's bill could be his enduring legacy in the Senate and in Philippine background books.

Lacson will be remembered for long for this gesture of patriotism.