THE BUZZ is that President Macapagal-Arroyo will run for Congress in the May 2010 elections. Her critics see this is as an outrageous attempt to dodge criminal prosecution after she steps down from the presidency. (I find this reason rather shallow; a member of Congress has no immunity from suit.)
Others believe it is part of a bigger plan to make her prime minister when the government shifts to parliamentary. Well, that’s how some political analysts, including the all-knowing, outdo each other in trying to make sense of GMA’s frequent visits to her hometown; she must be chuckling in delight over the guessing game.
Well, there’s no law banning her from running for Congress. But should she run, columnist Randy David finds it would be most unfair to rival candidates because she has access to the vast resources of the presidency. But then won’t the odds of winning remain the same if say, a super rich and powerful candidate like Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco were in the race?
I cannot agree more with David who has expressed his misgivings quite well, but I believe those concerns are best left to the electorate of that Pampanga district. Let them decide what they believe is good for them. What I find more distressing is the creeping Macapagal-Arroyo political dynasty, which the Constitution disallows. Political dynasties have become rampant, like the politicians who seek another public office even before their current terms end. (e.g., the senator who vacated his seat to serve as mayor).
This practice is opportunistic, unethical, dishonest and deceitful. The oath of office of an elected official is an affirmation of the covenant between him and his constituents. The oath is a commitment to serve his people faithfully for a full term and to the best of his ability. Breaking that covenant and leaving his constituents in the middle of his term to promote a personal ambition is a betrayal of their trust.
Often, on TV, we see very angry senators, screaming their heads off in self-righteous indignation and in disgust of improprieties done by Malacañang officials. But they ignore the fact that they too have circumvented the law to protect their personal interests; that they have turned Philippine politics into an old boys’ club where politicians protect each other’s interests. The Constitution bans political dynasty, but one cannot accuse a politician for violating this constitutional prohibition because our lawmakers have yet to come up with its implementing law.
That’s why political dynasties are all over. The mayor of Makati has established one. The President has done worse—her dynasty has spread from Pampanga to Negros Occidental to Bicol. Political dynasties are supposed to be unconstitutional. My question to Sen. Noynoy Aquino is: If he becomes president, what is he going to do about it? Nothing can be worse than hypocritical politicians and their self-righteous pretensions.
—CESAR M. DE LOS REYES,
cesdlrey@gmail.com