2013 Senatoriables Race

[Monseratto]

The traditional political parties is amplifying yung bulok ng sistema, picking the winner by name-recall and populairty... wala na si vote wisely. And with a very immature voting population, they always get away with it.

A different game, but almost the same players.

For the May 2013 midterm elections, 12 out of the 20 senatorial bets from the two biggest coalitions come from political families—reinforcing the notion that candidates were chosen according to their recognizable last names rather than their principles or platforms.

One prominent example: If he wins, candidate Jack Ponce Enrile would serve in the Senate alongside his father, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile.

Even the newcomers to electoral politics, Bam Aquino and Grace Poe-Llamanzares, have familiar last names.

"Matagal na nating panawagan 'yan," said Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms Ramon Casiple, regarding calls to end political dynasties in the country. "Iyon ang problema natin, hindi pa napapasa sa Kongreso."

In a phone interview with GMA News Online on Monday, Casiple said candidates with a popular family name are likely to garner votes based on name recall alone.

"Limitado lang ang kilala ng mga botante. Mga botante natin, malamang dahil name recall, iboboto ang kilalang pangalan," he said. "Minsan napagkakamalan silang mga beteranong politician kaya sila ang iboboto, pero hindi naman talaga sila 'yon."

"It is not accidental that provinces with established political dynasties are also among the poorest," writes UP sociologist Nicole Curato on this site. "The concentration of political power among a few families benefits a narrow set of economic interests over a period of time, institutionalizes economic inequalities, and perpetuates a culture of dependency."

Familiar surnames

In the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)—a coalition between the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino—those who come from political families are:

•Cagayan Rep. Juan Ponce "Jack" Enrile Jr., son of Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile;
•San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada and half-brother of Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada;
•former Tarlac governor Margarita "Tingting" Cojuangco, aunt of President Benigno Aquino III; and
•Zambales Rep. Maria Milagros Mitos Magsaysay, daughter-in-law of former Zambales governor Vicente Magsaysay.

Enrile's and Ejercito’s fathers are stalwarts in UNA. If Ejercito wins, he will serve alongside Jinggoy, while if Enrile is elected to the Senate, he will serve alongside his father.

On the other hand, Cojuangco, aside from being the President’s aunt, is the wife of UNA vice president and incumbent Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping" Cojuangco Jr., who himself is a former Tarlac congressman.

On the Senate slate of the coalition formed by the Liberal Party (LP), Nacionalista Party (NP), and Nationalist People's Coalition, the following come from political families:

•Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, son of former Seante President Aquilino Pimentel Jr.,
•Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, son of former Senator Rene Cayetano and brother of Sen. Pia Cayetano,
•former Senator Ramon "Jun" Magsaysay Jr., son of the late President Ramon Magsaysay Sr.,
•Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo "Sonny" Angara, son of Sen. Edgardo Angara, whose term will end in 2013
•Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, wife of Sen. Manny Villar, whose term will end next year, and
•Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, President Aquino’s cousin

If Cayetano wins, he will once again serve alongside his sister Pia.

Aside from them, common candidates Sen. Francis Escudero and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chair Grace Poe Llamanzares also come from political families.

Escudero is the son of the late Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero, while Llamanzares is the daughter of the late actor Fernando Poe Jr., who ran for president but lost to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the hotly contested 2004 elections.

Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, son of former senator and Muntinlupa Rep. Rodolfo Biazon; Quezon Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada, grandson of the late Sen. Lorenzo Tañada; and Jose “Joey" de Venecia III, son of former House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr. were also supposed to run in the 2013 polls but decided to drop their bids.

Bills vs political dynasties

Lawmakers like Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago have been pushing for the prohibition of political dynasties in the country.

"The playing field of the political arena should be leveled and opened to persons who are equally qualified to aspire on even terms with those from ruling politically dominant families," she earlier said.

Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that: "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."

Since the ratification of the Charter, however, Congress has yet to pass an enabling law defining "political dynasties."

Because of this, Santiago filed Senate Bill 2649, which says that no spouse or person related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent elective official seeking reelection shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective office in the same province in the same election. SB 2649 is pending at the committee level.

It also says that no person related by second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent official shall be allowed to immediately succeed the position of the latter, except for Punong Barangays or members of the Sangguniang Barangay.

Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño had also filed a similar bill, House Bill 3413, in the House of Representatives. At least three similar bills had also been filed during the 13th and 14th Congress: former senator and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim's SB 1317 (2004); Santiago's SB 1904 (2005); and Sen. Panfilo Lacson's SB 1468 (2007).

Lim and Santiago's bill did not even pass the committee level during the 13th Congress, while Lacson's proposed measure remained pending on second reading until the 14th Congress adjourned its session.

Other options

Other options, like people's initiative, are not likely to get positive results, according to Casiple

"Pwede ring people's initiative kaso pahirapan iyan. Pahirapang manawagan sa Kongreso," he said.

A "genuine political party system" could be the best shot, he added. "Dapat magkaroon ng genuine political party system kung saan ang party ang pipili ng tatakbo, hindi mga kandidatong nagbibigay lang ng pera."

Bam Aquino and Villar, however, said they do not see anything wrong with running for public office even though their other relatives are also in position. — with Amanda Fernandez/KBK/HS, art by Den Fajardo, GMA News

[holdencaulfield]

andito pala classmate ko na sanpits ni noyst. pag nanalo makapag-apply nga ng makakurakot.

[Syuryuken]

Except for 2 or 3, the current lineup stinks! A collection of psychos(especially Jamby!), old fart politicians and other old fart politicians's wives or kids... Ginawa ng family business yung politics. Jamby claims to have been cheated of her presidential bid, yet joins LP...Are these the best and brightest the Philippines has to offer? More fun in the Philippines...

Diyos ko po maawa naman kayo sa Pilipinas

[monty_GTV]

Except for 2 or 3, the current lineup stinks! A collection of psychos(especially Jamby!), old fart politicians and other old fart politicians's wives or kids... Ginawa ng family business yung politics. Jamby claims to have been cheated of her presidential bid, yet joins LP...Are these the best and brightest the Philippines has to offer? More fun in the Philippines...

same old corrupt faces and family names that continue to thrive in political mainstream. some are new faces and wannabes but still coming from the same lineage of corrupt political clans . i'm just curious who among them will dance to the tune of the latest dance craze "gangnam" during the campaign period

aquino - kamukha ni ninoy, gradweyt yata cum laude eto, sana nga mas matalino sa uncle niya
baraquel - bago yata eto, di ko kabisado
pimentel - jack en poy na lang kayo ni zubiri
escudero - syota mo na ba si heart? ikaw ba si chiz curls?
cojuangco - may ari ng luisita
enrile - muntik mo naging bayaw si alfie anido
maceda - manong magpahinga ka na kaya?
angara - angara ng tatay mo!
madrigal - bitch but rich!
trillanes -ni hao ma! peborit mo ba chinese food sir? magkano per sqm sa panatag shoal?
legarda - sana nga po last niyo na talaga ma'am...promise ha?
de venecia - back out ka raw aro?
gordon - epektib ka sa tourism sir, konsentreyt ka kaya dun...
magsaysay - tatay mo ba si ramon? di kapatid mo si magsaysay jr?
cayetano - kapatid ni pia cayetano at anak ni renato cayetano
magsaysay jr - baka maging tagapagligtas ka rin ng demokrasya
villar - asawa ni manny villar
llamanzares - di ko kabisado, bago rin yata
ejercito - ayos ka talaga asiong! di ka lang pang famas, pang senador pa!
honasan - meron pa bang RAM
zubiri - jack en poy na lang kayo ni pimentel

naku! di kaya ma libel ako, na-implement na ba ang cybercrime law? paktay!

[ZENMasterTYL]

same old corrupt faces and family names that continue to thrive in political mainstream. some are new faces and wannabes but still coming from the same lineage of corrupt political clans . i'm just curious who among them will dance to the tune of the latest dance craze "gangnam" during the campaign period

aquino - kamukha ni ninoy, gradweyt yata cum laude eto, sana nga mas matalino sa uncle niya
baraquel - bago yata eto, di ko kabisado
pimentel - jack en poy na lang kayo ni zubiri
escudero - syota mo na ba si heart? ikaw ba si chiz curls?
cojuangco - may ari ng luisita
enrile - muntik mo naging bayaw si alfie anido
maceda - manong magpahinga ka na kaya?
angara - angara ng tatay mo!
madrigal - bitch but rich!
trillanes -ni hao ma! peborit mo ba chinese food sir? magkano per sqm sa panatag shoal?
legarda - sana nga po last niyo na talaga ma'am...promise ha?
de venecia - back out ka raw aro?
gordon - epektib ka sa tourism sir, konsentreyt ka kaya dun...
magsaysay - tatay mo ba si ramon? di kapatid mo si magsaysay jr?
cayetano - kapatid ni pia cayetano at anak ni renato cayetano
magsaysay jr - baka maging tagapagligtas ka rin ng demokrasya
villar - asawa ni manny villar
llamanzares - di ko kabisado, bago rin yata
ejercito - ayos ka talaga asiong! di ka lang pang famas, pang senador pa!
honasan - meron pa bang RAM
zubiri - jack en poy na lang kayo ni pimentel

naku! di kaya ma libel ako, na-implement na ba ang cybercrime law? paktay!

epektib na today ang RA 10175

[vinj]

epektib na today ang RA 10175

You have the right to remain silent...

[chua_riwap]

Magkalaban pala 2 magsaysay.

[Gumusut_Amige]

Magkalaban pala 2 magsaysay.

bro kahit magkasama mga yan sa partido ay pataasan pa rin sila sa 1st 12 dahil di naman yata block voting? at patunay din yan na walang permanent na kaibigan pagdating sa pulitika, puro permanent personal interest lang ang meron. at pati na rin yung delicadeza ay talagang burado na sa kanilang utak!

[chua_riwap]

Yang si erap at si gordon magkaaway na mortal noon yan. Remember when he was still with SBMA & he was forced by erap to vacate his office?

Ngayon, magkapartido pa.

[Altis6453]

Yang si erap at si gordon magkaaway na mortal noon yan. Remember when he was still with SBMA & he was forced by erap to vacate his office?

Ngayon, magkapartido pa.

Strange bedfellows, indeed.

Who said it again? In politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies. Only permanent interests.

[chua_riwap]

Hagedorn joining the race also.....

[Ry_Tower]

Hagedorn joining the race also.....

Nope, he just made a press con kanina. He won't run in any position daw. DAW!

His wife will run as mayor and his brother as congressman of the 3rd district. Both are sick and we all know who runs the real show.

[vinj]

Both are sick and we all know who runs the real show.

Ikaw? :D

============

[Ry_Tower]

Ikaw? :D

============

Bakit hindi ka na-block?!

Just in, pumunta Manila si Hage, mukhang pinipilit talaga ni Erap as Senator. hayzzz...

[CVT]

Bakit hindi ka na-block?!

Just in, pumunta Manila si Hage, mukhang pinipilit talaga ni Erap as Senator. hayzzz...

Bakit bro.,- hindi mo "feel" si Hage?...

17.0K:out:

[chua_riwap]

Nope, he just made a press con kanina. He won't run in any position daw. DAW!

His wife will run as mayor and his brother as congressman of the 3rd district. Both are sick and we all know who runs the real show.

He was at the comelec kanina filing his coc & was interviewed by ANC.
Baka kapalit ni de venicia.

[Ry_Tower]

He was at the comelec kanina filing his coc & was interviewed by ANC.
Baka kapalit ni de venicia.

Independent daw but may support ng kamukha niyang si Erap.

[Monseratto]

[chua_riwap]

Di ba may malalang sakit yan?

[threx666]

Hehehe mas nakakatakot mawalan ng protection against arrest pag di ka na congressman .

Kaya tatakbo talaga yan


Hay naku , life threatening daw , sa awa ng Diyos(?) buhay pa rin , ANTIGAS






Hmmm Baka malibel na tayo nito ah ,me kumakatok na sa Labas ng bahay ah heheheh