Pol analyst says 2013 plagued by ‘dynastic disease’

MANILA— Dynasties’ continuing domination of the country’s political system is a “disease” that will result in more warlords and economic carpet-bagging by the ruling clans, according to an analyst from an established political think-tank.

Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reform, said the uncontrolled proliferation of political dynasties has been betraying the severe weaknesses of the political party system in the country.

“There simply are no checks and balances in place to curb or even guide the self-serving political agenda – and by extension the carpet-bagging economic agenda of dominant political clans. At worst, these clans turn into warlords with control over territorial fiefs and their power protected by political violence, electoral fraud, and vote-buying,” Casiple said on his blog.

The filing of candidacy for the 18,053 elective offices – from senators to municipal councilors – ended Friday with the majority of key positions to be contested by members, loyalists or affiliates of dominant political clans.

Casiple said the Senate race has been “heavily affected with the dynastic disease,” with almost all candidates of the Liberal Party coalition and the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) tracing their antecedents and credentials to political families.

He said at least 18 candidates for senator come from political families, among them the Escuderos, Aquino-Cojuangcos, Cayetanos, Estrada-Ejercitos, Madrigals, Gordons, Magsaysays, Villars, Angaras, Binays and Enriles.

At the local level, political clans and dynasties are all over the political landscape.

According to Casiple, “only a sprinkling” of candidates are non-dynasty or non-traditional politician, the most notable of whom are the two Catholic priests on leave who are running for governorship – Fr. Eduardo “Among Ed” Panlilio in Pampanga and Bicol Regional Development Council co-chair Fr. Leo Casas in Masbate.

The weaknesses are “starkly manifested” in the presence in the Liberal Party-Nacionalista Party and the United Nationalist Alliance slates of common candidates, newly sworn-in members, turncoats and candidates whose spots were reserved by their fathers who are party-leaders./Inquirer