LP, UNA defensive on dynasty issue

The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) is fending off criticism that it is building a “political dynasty,” but is struggling to explain why its so-called “3 Kings” are each fielding a son or daughter in next year’s senatorial election.

Vice President Jejomar Binay’s daughter, Nancy, has been tapped to complete the UNA ticket, which includes the sons of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and ousted President Joseph Estrada—Rep. Jack Enrile and Rep. Jose Victor Ejercito.

Not quite different is the Liberal Party (LP)-led coalition, whose senatorial slate includes no less than a cousin of President Benigno Aquino III.

Rep. Tobias Tiangco, UNA campaign manager, on Saturday defended the inclusion of the UNA leaders’ three children in the party’s Senate slate, saying they were not building political dynasties with an eye towards the 2016 elections.

“It’s all about the sovereign will of the people,” Tiangco told the Inquirer by phone. “We’re just presenting them as options. Ultimately, it’s the voters who will decide if they should serve in the Senate or not.”

Malacañang on Saturday sang the same tune, saying it was up to the voters to decide whether or not to perpetuate a dynasty in power by putting into office its scions.

Undersecretary Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson, acknowledged that the Constitution prohibits the establishment of political dynasties but said that the relevant provision still requires an enabling law before it can be enforced.

Article II, Section 26, of the Constitution states, “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

In the absence of such a law, she said, the decision to elect members of the same families to the Senate, House of Representatives and other offices in 2013 rested with the voters.

“You have to bring it back to the voters because those relations are not hidden, and it will be up to the voters to decide who should be their public servants, whether congressmen, senators or mayors,” Valte said in an interview over government-run dzRB radio.

Justify Bam Aquino’s presence

Valte was attempting to justify the LP’s decision to include President Aquino’s 35-year-old cousin, Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, in the administration Senate ticket.

The ruling LP-led coalition is also fielding Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar and reelectionist Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Aquilino Pimentel III, among others, for next year’s senatorial elections.

Should they win, the young Angara would replace his father Sen. Edgardo Angara in the Senate, and Villar, her husband, Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. The terms of Senators Angara and Villar end in 2013.

Cayetano would rejoin his sister Sen. Pia Cayetano in the chamber. Pimentel is the son of former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Valte said the President had aired his views on the issue of political dynasties when he was campaigning for the presidency in 2010.

“What he said was, ‘Look at the qualifications.’ Let’s not disqualify on the mere basis of the name. But, again, look at the qualifications and the track record of someone who is being accused of being part of a political dynasty,” she said.

Former Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and his cousin’s daughter-in-law, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, are also seeking seats in the Senate under the administration and opposition slates, respectively.

“Well, it’s not that we are defending it but what we’re telling you is that it is usually, it is normally up to the voters,” Valte said.

Tiangco dismissed the idea that Binay, Enrile and Estrada were fielding their children to ensure a stronger political footing in preparation for the national elections four years from now.

Binay, who put up UNA as a coalition with the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) of Estrada and Enrile earlier this year, has expressed his intention to run for president.

Voters live in present

“No, it’s not about 2016,” Tiangco said in Filipino. “Ordinary voters don’t look that far. For them, it’s about the candidate who could be of service to them at present, one who could help them get by.”

Tiangco admitted that having a relative as an incumbent official was a “built-in advantage” for candidates in terms of “name recall” among voters.

What was more important, he said, was the track record of the political family.

“It’s not just the name, it’s the public service,” he said. “Not all who want to serve, serve well. Others disgrace themselves. That’s why there are cases when an incumbent politician fields his children but they end up losing.”