Tomorrow is the last day for the filing of the certificate of candidacy for national and local elective offices. Names prominently mentioned as seekers of elective posts are still those deemed as “trapos” or traditional politicians. More often than not, they belong to families that have held a tight political grip in the fate of this nation, since forever.

The President’s two sons and in-laws in Congress are expected to seek re-election. Rumors of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo attempting to do an incredible political somersault and slide down from the highest post in the land to attempt to become a congressional representative in Pampanga is a hot and spicy topic in coffee shops.

“How can she stoop that low?”, a friend incredulously remarked.

Well, the plan is definitely not remote or impossible. After all, changing political chairs and political parties are as old as the Constitution seting the maximum term limit for elective posts. But, this rumored Arroyo demotion bid is certainly a first in the history of the country, or perhaps in the world.

Relatives of former Presidents are likewise perennial figures in the political arena. So far, four Osmeñas have declared their intention to seek elective positions. Noynoy Aquino, Mar Roxas, Bongbong Marcos and Jinggoy Ejercito are in the running.

Provinces, cities, municipalities and even the remotest of barangays have their own share of political dynasties. The Garcias in Cebu and the Binays in Makati are the emerging political clans fast consolidating their political empire.

What makes political dynasties an aberration in a democracy, thus, expressly banned by the Constitution?

A culture of impunity is a necessary consequence. There is no public participation in the decision-making process. The Rule of Law is discarded. It is not surprising that environmental laws are not enforced, and local chief executives are not held accountable by the President. The politics of accommodation rears its ugly head, at the expense of the people’s welfare, ecological integrity and yes, our fledging democracy.

With so much power and influence held by a political clan, buttressed by sweet dealings with some members of the business sector, and the support of the enforcement agencies, political survival is primordial in the decisions made. People learn to accept that their interests are placed in the lower rung of the ladder.

The carnage in Maguindanao happened because there was a definite threat to decades of unquestioned monopoly of power of a family in the area. The Rule of Law was set aside. It was disheartening to know that the protectors of the people refused to do their mandate – to provide security to the convoy of innocent but courageous civilians, including media practitioners and two women lawyers.

It should be mentioned that Maguindanao, the third poorest province in the country, holds a special place in the heart of the President. It made statistical improbability during elections. A zero count in precincts for the opposition, for a popular candidate at that, is difficult to believe. Yet, we just laughed these incidents off, shook our head in disbelief and then conveniently forget.

Simply because there is no law that Congress has or will craft to implement the constitutional ban on political dynasties, they are flourishing like mushrooms, naturally attracted by the power, the glitz and the glamour, and the 1001 perks that the positions automatically command. Deepening poverty, galling apathy or collective immersion in a “state of learned helplessness” and weak and crumbling state agencies are fodders for their proliferation.

Is the politics of accommodation here to stay? The choice is up to us. If it is allowed to flourish by electing the same sets of politicians, then it will.

But the question that should be asked is this: How long can we and our nation survive the devastating consequences, such as the culture of impunity, that have made democracy in this country hollow and empty, like a termite-infested tree that has lost almost everything, except its physical appearance?

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Congratulations to the following women achievers in the public sector who are making a difference. In their own unique way, they have considerably improved the quality of life of our people and our women, thereby promoting gender justice and the much-needed trust for our challenges-filled governance system:

Caloocan RTC Judge Victoria Paredes, as the Most Outstanding Outstanding Gender Sensitive RTC Judge on Violence Against Women  Cases Awards in the country. Batch mates of Judge Paredes are hopeful that, with her exemplary performance, she will be the first Supreme Court Justice from UP Law Class ’79. We are extremely proud of you, Judge!

Mandaue RTC Judge Marlyn Yap is one of the finalists for the same Award. Mabuhay, Judge! To the knowledge of the environmental advocates, Judge Yap’s decision in the Bantayan Islands case is the first judicial imprimatur in the country on the implementation of the Water Code’s easement zones, prohibiting permanent structures therein. This is a legal restriction more honored in the breach than in its observance.

Kudos also to my favorite public official, Barangay Luz Head Nida Cabrera. In behalf of the barangay, she received the latest of the strings of award from NCRFW and UNIFEM as recipient of the Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) Most Responsive Governance. Early on, Barangay Luz received the prestigious Galing Pook Award for Barangays.

Keep on being engaged stakeholders, every one!