All in the family
DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco - The Philippine Star 04/04/2007
I am disappointed in my idol, Sen. Joker Arroyo, for saying that political dynasties are good. Perhaps Sen. Arroyo merely wanted to say that it is a fact of life in Philippine politics and it isn’t bad per se. It is a cultural thing that cannot be legislated away, no matter that the Constitution frowns on it.
Everywhere you turn today, two or three members of a family are running for public office. ANC reported the other night that a Muslim politician and his three wives are all running for various offices in Basilan. That is taking politics as a family affair to the extreme.
This situation can’t be good for the Philippines. In fact, this could be the very reason why good governance is almost impossible within our political system. The "all in the family" tone to politics has alienated most people from taking a more active part in civic affairs. Family-oriented politics have reduced everyone else to outsiders looking in.
Let me put my fears in context. I think we can trace most of our problems today to an anomaly in the national psyche. We do not have a sense of nationhood… we are unable to think as one Filipino nation. Outside of a rare moment as EDSA 1, we are not inclined to put national interest (something quite abstract) above that of ourselves, our families, our friends, our regional ties, etc. That’s why corruption scandals normally include family members as principals and accessories. The Garcia and Ligot families, for instance, are implicated in the military financial mess now being litigated by the Ombudsman.
I am disappointed in my idol, Sen. Joker Arroyo, for saying that political dynasties are good. Perhaps Sen. Arroyo merely wanted to say that it is a fact of life in Philippine politics and it isn’t bad per se. It is a cultural thing that cannot be legislated away, no matter that the Constitution frowns on it.
Everywhere you turn today, two or three members of a family are running for public office. ANC reported the other night that a Muslim politician and his three wives are all running for various offices in Basilan. That is taking politics as a family affair to the extreme.
This situation can’t be good for the Philippines. In fact, this could be the very reason why good governance is almost impossible within our political system. The "all in the family" tone to politics has alienated most people from taking a more active part in civic affairs. Family-oriented politics have reduced everyone else to outsiders looking in.
Let me put my fears in context. I think we can trace most of our problems today to an anomaly in the national psyche. We do not have a sense of nationhood… we are unable to think as one Filipino nation. Outside of a rare moment as EDSA 1, we are not inclined to put national interest (something quite abstract) above that of ourselves, our families, our friends, our regional ties, etc. That’s why corruption scandals normally include family members as principals and accessories. The Garcia and Ligot families, for instance, are implicated in the military financial mess now being litigated by the Ombudsman.
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