Politics as a family business

@cdparazo (5765)
Philippines
May 23, 2007 10:21pm CST
I can’t help but keep on despairing on the political situation in the Philippines. It seems that prominent families in the country really feel that politics is a sort of family business. Here in my province, we have a lady governor with brother as a congressman & her father who used to be our governor also is now an elected congressman and all serving under one province. The same also happens at other parts of the country. All those who are in the senate, have their wife, siblings, parents, children and other relatives occupying other positions in the government. Most of them are banking on their family name’s popularity to get elected but most of them are just all air and no substance. I won’t mind so much if all of them do their jobs well and are really competent but many are just blundering idiots. Our city mayor came from a political family whose clout in the province and city is very strong but I am proud to say that the people in my city still voted wisely because we voted not because of their family name but because we believe in their capabilities. As a result, we re-elected our mayor from an old political family and floored his relative who is running for senate that we think didn’t do his job well even if this city is his family’s bailiwick. Political dynasty in my country is getting stronger and I hope that we are as a people will vote wisely and not because of popularity. Political dynasty will only prosper if we keep on voting those who are popular but with no clear platform. But so far the congressmen and our governor who came from one family may still do us proud. Her family is now a political power in the province but they are all very qualified and competent and I believe they could help this province go forward. I wish the same for those areas whose elected officials came from a political family. To all Filipinos out there, how did you vote last election? Did you vote for those with relatives already occupying various positions in the government?
2 people like this
3 responses
@eadward (140)
• Brazil
23 Jun 07
This also happens here in Brazil, mostly on the northeastern part, where since the colonizations times, the major land owners were like feudal lords of their employees. It has even been studied and labelled "colonelism", since these "lords" are called "colonels" by their subjects. The governors in those states are the same man for years, and it is rare when their sucessor is not their pupil or even from his family. There are also those political families who really are commited to the state and the country, and make a "good dinasty", but most of them are only preoccupied in keeping their power, wich many bring from the 19th century or even ealier.
1 person likes this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
24 Jun 07
It may be decades or centuries before we could really see significant change in politics in our countries and even in the world. It may not be during our lifetime, but I am positive that it will come. It is part of the cycle and the learnings of the people. When people learns and wants a change, that would be something that is inevitable.
@Jemina (5770)
6 Jun 07
I think it is becoming a culture in us. It's very sad but true. Anywhere in the Philippines you see the same scenario--from the grandfather to the grandchild the political position must not leave the family. Take this example. In my town first the father became a mayor and then when he had exhausted his term he pushed his wife. Now that the wife's reign is almost at the brink, the daughter had been raised and trained to inherit the position. And after the daughter's term I think the father can presume again. It just makes my head spin.
1 person likes this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
19 Jun 07
That is just what is happening all over the Philippines. They treat their positions as something that has to be passed on to their wife and children. It is alarming for me. A lot of them are just more air than brains. grrr.....
@gberlin (3836)
3 Jun 07
That is an interesting situation in the Philippines. In the United States that does not usually happen. People become very suspect if family members are all in government.
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
6 Jun 07
It should not be happening. Period. And I do agree with you that it is very suspect. Well, that is just the type of politics we have here. I wish it could change for the better.