Malaya February 06 , 08 & 10, 2007

Lito Banayo:


‘In the end, it is the people who choose … whether so-called dynasties are good or bad for them.’


Is there no one else?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a recent television appearance, former Senate President Ernesto Maceda claimed that some 95 of the 216 elected congressmen in the country belong to political dynasties. That’s one-half of the composition of the lower House, he said, so why, he reasons, should friend Kit Tatad fret too much about the possibility of having six members of the Senate coming from so-called dynasties?

In local constituencies where the arithmetic of political control is fairly easy, and the variables are more easy to manipulate, dynasties thrive in the feudal setting of Philippine politics. But in the Senate, it is otra cosa. How do you manipulate the votes of an entire country comprised of 7,101 islands? In the end, it is the people who choose, who discern, whether so-called dynasties are good or bad for them.

For the readers’ appreciation, let me list the so-called dynasties, from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi:

The Abads of Batanes, but haven’t they been a good presence in Batanes politics?

The Marcoses of Ilocos Norte, and their rivals, the Fariñases of Laoag. Chavit Singson, his brothers, nephews and nieces in Ilocos Sur. Eric Singson likewise along with wife Grace. The Ortegas of La Union. The Aspiras family has laid to rest his political clout, but there are the Dumpits now trying to take over. The Valeras of Abra, who have been in the news lately. It was the late Don Quintin Paredes who used to control Abra, but his descendants failed to propagate the dynasty, so it went to the Barberos, and now Governor Vicsid and his brood. You have Dominguez in Mountain Province, after the fall of the Lamens. After Ben Palispis retired, Benguet has passed from hand to hand, with no one in long control, neither Molintas nor Cosalan nor Dangwa.

Of course there is the large Dy family in Isabela. They inherited the mantle from their father Faustino, and you have two governors, two congressmen succeeding in the next generation. In Santiago City, Pempe Miranda and his son, the Mikey and Kampi acolyte, Anthony. Hehe Alvarez is no longer on the scene. The Albanos, from Rodolfo to Rodito, to Cesar the mayor. Juan Ponce Enrile rules northeastern Cagayan, with his son Jackie now set to transfer power to his wife. The Mambas prevail over the southern half. My friend Governor Ed Lara provides the balance of competing powers. In Quirino, it’s Cua and Cua seemingly forever. The Perez dynasty in Nueva Vizcaya has been shattered by the untimely demise of Leonard Byron, the former Comelec chief’s son and political heir.

There are the perpetual Josons of Nueva Ecija, already three generations of successive political control. Now Oyie Umali, Mark Jimenez’ faithful acolyte, wants to be "hulog ng langit" to Novo Ecijanos. Apeng Yap wants to pass control of the kapitolyo to son Victor, but of course the real power is Boss Danding. Maski si Cong Peping, tiklop na, in the province made famous by the Aquinos of Tarlac. In Pangasinan, there are several fiefdoms – the Estrellas and Perezes in the east, Agbayani in the northwest, and of course Joe de V by his solitary self in the center. Tulagan wants to pass the mantle of three terms to his very young son, while Benjie Lim wants to wrest power from Manong Joe, mismo! And Mark Cojuangco has slowly but surely carved his own in northern Pangasinan. In Pampanga, it’s who else but La Gloria herself, with son Mikey in the second district. Sorry for them, Mikey’s wife seems to eschew politics, and Mikaela is far too young. Lito Lapid passed the dynasty to son Mark, but is now in danger of losing it to the Pinedas of Lubao, with La Gloria’s implied blessings, but of course. In the Bataan peninsula, the new dynasty of Tet Garcia, governor and son Albert, congressman, wants to wipe out the Romans and ally Tong Payumo. Will he succeed?

In Bulacan, Obet Pagdanganan, still heartbroken over death of his son and namesake in a recent car accident, now seeks return to his kapitolyo, presided over in the last nine years by high-performing Josie de la Cruz, who wants her brother to inherit it. The Silverios, once of legendary wealth as part of the Marcos cabal of cronies, controls half of the east, with the Roqueros and Sarmientos fighting over the other half centered in populous San Jose City. Will Mayor Felix, Ka Blas’ son, get supremacy over the Sy-Alvarados of Malolos and Hagonoy in the west? My own Tiya Cancion ruled Malolos during all the martial law years after Tiyo Pelis Reyes died. Oh, before I forget, there’s Aurora nestled between the Sierra Madre and Mare Pacifica. There it’s Angara in the Senate, Angara as governor, Angara as congressman, and another Angara is mayor of the capital town of Baler, hometown of the legendary Manuel Quezon. And in Zambales, the Magsaysay-Diaz clan will pass on the mantle to their next generation, and will try to wrest control of Olongapo City from the Gordons.

In Rizal, Ito Ynares seems to be in firm and full control. By May of 2007, he would want to marginalize the third-generation Rodriguezes of Montalban, with his ally Jack Duavit, Manong Bibit’s son. Highly respected NPC president Ka Frisco San Juan is trying his best to have some sort of rapprochement. And super-powerful Ronnie Puno has yet to decide whether to succeed himself or give his vacated seat to a younger brother in Antipolo City. Of course, brother Dong is out to wrest Muntinlupa, with the help of the Bunyes and the Fresnedis, from Pong Biazon’s son Ruffy. There is only one dynasty in power in Quezon City now, and that’s Mat Defensor, who inherited his congressional seat from son Miguelito, who wants to be senator ‘Tol. Chuck Mathay, I heard wants to come back through the second district. Maybe the lovely Ara Mina should shed some excess poundage and battle Senora Dona Anna Susano off her vintage Rolls Royce.

Manila’s Mayor Lito wants to pass the baton to his son Ali, whose youthful energy will be pitted against almost octogenarian but still spritely Fred Lim, and almost septuagenarian Danny Lacuna, with Rudy Bacani and Joey Hizon snapping at their heels. Maybe MJ too? Where will the Lopezes of Tondo locate themselves? The Bagatsings are split, with my friend Don and his father Dondon for Atienza, while politically-estranged brother Amado is for Lacuna. Dondon seeks to reclaim his old Sampaloc seat from Bacani whose term is soon to expire, while Amado wants a comeback in my home fifth district.

"Is there no one else?", to paraphrase Achilles in the movie "Troy". The nation’s capital, the center of politics, also in the grip of dynasties left and right? "Wala na bang iba?", ask weary Manilenos.

In Makati of course, Senator Lapid wants to bring his delicious maja blanca and his fried kamaru to the kapitolyo that fellow-Kapampangan Mesio Yabut used to rule as Marcos’ strong vassal, before Jojo Binay, oppositionist through and through, captured the nation’s small but richest city. Binay, a Batangueno by origin, is expected to win hands down, with Kong Lito battling Baby Pineda for turf supremacy in his native Pampanga. Whatever happens to Senador Lito after May 2007, let’s hope he stops being vassal to La Gloria.

Wala pang kalahati iyan ng buong bansa, and already we are choking from a gaggle of dynasts. Wait till we get to Bicol, the Visayas and Mindanao. Doon panahon pa ni Quezon hanggang ngayon, sila at sila pa rin.

The question, as far as local constituencies are concerned, is whether these political families have been good or bad for them. Some have had a modernizing influence on the progress of their constituencies, such as in tiny San Juan where the Estradas have ruled since pater familia Joseph became mayor after trouncing the Ibunas, the Sto. Domingos and the Pascuals a generation ago.

Some have presided over declining socio-economic fortunes, maintaining power through guns, goons, gold, and Garci, the latest sure-fire formula for electoral "victory". They rule like feudal lords and keep their constituents in perpetual bondage to poverty, so that each election, these are regaled with royal crumbs from their table of ill-gotten plenty, and keep voting and voting for them, their sons and daughters, their siblings.

In terra Filipinensis, familiae bonum. Laudamus. Glorificamus. Et perderemus nostrus.

Is there no one else? My friend Harry Roque stands up and will be counted, for Congress to represent the lone district of Pasay. Thank God there are some valiant others. There should be many more.





* * * * * * *


‘With the internal revenue allotments, local dynasts have found financial muscle, and have made a business out of politics.’



Are there any more?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


South of Manila, we have the Remullas of Cavite, a second-generation set of leaders coming after long-time governor, Johnny Remulla, once the political protégé of the politically-decimated Puyats of Pampanga. Johnvic, the vice-governor, will not seek election to higher office after his third term expires. Kuya Boying will seek a second term as congressman of the uplands, while Gilbert will go for his third term in the hilly and lowland district that now has half of Cavite’s voters.

Don Claro never thought any of his sons would amount to anything in politics, but look at the third generation. A Recto in the Senate, another is vice-governor, a granddaughter-in-law, the famous Ate Vi, is serving out her last few months as mayor of Lipa, and is being pushed for governor.

The third-generation Laurels have gone into the arts, business, and other pursuits, instead of following the footsteps of the wartime president.

In Quezon, a congressman extremely close to GMA, and close to every other president since Marcos, is out to establish a new dynasty. Danny Suarez wants his son Jay-jay to be the next governor, after my friend Willy Enverga relinquishes his seat of three terms.

In Marinduque, it’s Tita Carmencita Reyes as governor, and son Edmundito as congressman. They’re switching positions in May 2007, unless someone else is brave enough to fight the dynasty. In Mindoro Occidental, heaven knows what the Villarosas will try this time, now that Joe is in Muntinlupa. Girlie is always beside GMA and FG, and you can guess what ace they want to pull up their sleeve.

In Camarines Sur, you have Villafuerte, pere et fil, quarreling over power and whatever else. In Rinconada it is still Alfelor, now safely in the Kampi embrace of Louie. In Partido, it’s still the Fuentebellas. Naga City has its irreplaceable Jesse Robredo, one of the best local executives in the entire country. In Albay, who will be the third generation Imperial, now that Carling is ageing and infirm? Wala na ba talagang iba? Of course the Lagmans of the third district are still at it, father and daughter, and a son in Quezon City to boot.

In Masbate, ABS-CBN executive Maloli Espinosa Manalastas has just resigned her well-paying job to run as congresswoman, because there is no one else in the dynasty to perpetuate its hold. Her Tito Miling is past 80, but will still go for governor once again, after three terms as congressman, and a previous three terms as governor. Tony Kho has successfully challenged what was once an Espinosa stranglehold of this beautiful but dirt-poor province.

In Capiz, the Roxases have near full control. Tita Judy, thence Dinggoy, and now Mar have successfully put to pasture the Villareals of the second district, the Dinglasans and the Belos.

In Iloilo, Niel Tupaz will gun for his third term, while his son will go for congressman in the fifth district, if they can get over Rolex Suplico’s brother. Oca Garin has consolidated his control of the first district, with son Jun-jun as mayor, wife Nimfa as another mayor, and daughter-in-law Janet, originally a Loreto from Baybay in Leyte, as congresswoman. Of course, there’s Raul the injustice secretary and his son Raulito in the queen city.

In Negros, almost all are vassals of the Danding Cojuangco political empire. You want to be anything higher than a small-town mayor, you’d have to make "mano" to the boss in Pontevedra. Of course, the other "boss", Don Jose Miguel Tuason Arroyo, is spreading his wings, trying to reprise the dynasty set up by his grandfather Jose and his grand-uncle Mariano Arroyo, the governor whom Quezon caught with his hands in the jueteng racket. There’s Iggy aka Jose Pidal in Kabankalan and other poorer parts, and now sister Marilou to battle Frejenel Biron in Iloilo. (Where do these kasimanwas get their names – Frejenel of Iloilo, Fredenil Castro in Capiz, never mind Rolex?)

Cebu is almost completely dynastic. A gaggle of Osmeñas flit in and out of every elective office you could imagine. As they say, the only Osmeña who’s not into politics is Fuente Osmena. There’s Tony Cuenco, likely the last of the Cuencos. There are the Duranos of Danao. There’s Junie and Clavel and Jun-jun, the Martinezes of Bogo who are related to the Espinosas of Masbate to their north. There are the Kintanars of Argao in southern Cebu. And the Gullas brothers in Talisay. In bustling Mandaue, Ouano pere was succeeded by Ouano fil, and now, the third generation is taking over. Is there no one else?

Only former Senator Boy Herrera is trying to foist a dynasty in Bohol, with brother Julius as vice-governor and a son as mayor of Calape. President Garcia’s only daughter Linda died without going into politics. Gov. Natalio Castillo’s son Chito would rather be king-maker than king, and the Borjas stopped at congresswoman Venice. The Teveses reign supreme in southern Negros. Outstanding governor George Arnaiz will exchange places with former governor, now outgoing central congressman Dodo Macias, whose father once held political sway over the province. Paras madame will fight Paras frere for control of the highlands. Sila na lang pirmi ug kanunay. Wala na’y lain?

In Northern Samar, it’s Raul Daza’s son Paul who will seek his father’s mantle, this time against former ally, Harlin Abayon, the Mormon congressman on his last term.

In Western Samar, Cata Figueroa the congressman is fielding his wife, Mayor Neliphta against a daughter of incumbent Mila Tan.

And in the East, Marcelino Libanan will field gracious wife Alda to succeed him, and indulge in his real vocation – playing the classic guitar of Albeniz and Paco Rodrigo.

Where the brothers Evardone will go I have yet to fathom.

In Leyte, it’s the return of the comeback for the Romualdezes, battling the Loreto-Petilla clan in both north and south.

Biliran is choking with a barrelful of Espinas – governor, congressman, and mayors to boot. Why not title the whole island to their name?

In Surigao, the Barberses want to consolidate their hold on this beautiful province, now that Dinagat has become the private terrain of the Ecleo’s. Ace has declined an offer to run for senator in order to fortify their dynasty, but former governor Francisco Matugas and the Serings will give them battle.

The Plazas and the Amantes have divided Agusan del Norte into uncontested fiefdoms, while Agusan del Sur remains Plaza territory. The Falcons remain in control of the southern half of Surigao del Sur, and Prospero Pichay is on his last term as congressman of the northern half.

Poverty-stricken Davao Oriental remains in the grip of the Tres Marias – Almario, Palma-Gil, and Malanyaon, who has replaced former gobernadora Rosalind Lopez in the all-female triumvirate. The trio have an uneasy love-hate relationship with the Rabats of Mati. Prospero Amatong will field his son against the son of graduating governor Joe Caballero for control of Compostela Valley, with its rich Diwalwal gold fields. The Floirendos will try to maintain hegemony over Davao del Norte, even if political patriarch Rodolfo del Rosario is on retirement mode. Davao City will remain uncontested Duterte, because my friend Digong, hard-hitting Rudy to many, is simply irreplaceable in the minds of many Dabawenos.

South Cotabato has the fortune of having politically-sensitive settlers for a voting population, who keep electing progressive-thinking leaders like Daisy Fuentes and the Antoninos in General Santos. Manny Pacquiao wants to try politics, egged on by GMA who hates the opposition Antoninos. Well, he can try.

Neighboring Saranggani will remain under the sway of the Dominguez-Alcantara clan of Davao.

In Sultan Kudarat, the Ilonggo Montillas are raring for a return bout with the Muslim Mangudadatos, father and son.

In the ARMM, dynasties have been the rule since pre-Spanish times, so what else is new? Which explains why most every elected leader has to be an ally of whoever is the Malacañang occupant. Who has the gold and the guns that it can buy rules.

In Bukidnon, it’s Zubiri, with the Acostas in the Del Monte district. New kid on the block, TG Guingona is expected to win re-election handily, if he is not drafted to run as senator.

In Camiguin, the iron grip of Lolong Romualdo and his son continues, and they are likely to switch posts in May. Dongkoy Emano is on his last term as mayor of the Golden City, and guess what, Bobong Calingin, now of the NPC and former governor of Misamis Oriental, wants to run for Cagayan mayor. If Ambing Magtajas, another former mayor, allows it.

In Misamis Occidental, some entente cordiale has to be worked out among the Parojinogs, Claretes and the Ramiros.

In Lanao del Norte, it’s still Bobby Dimaporo and his Imelda.

In Zamboanga del Sur, an uneasy political peace has been forged between former governor and now Rep. Jun Real and the Cerilles couple.

Zamboanga del Norte has become almost completely Jalosjos territory. Even if Romy is in Muntinglupa, the province and particularly his district centered in Dapitan, is well-run and progressive, which is why voters are loyal.

And in the City of Flowers down south, Mayor Celso Lobregat continues in the afterglow of Tita Caling’s lovable reign as congresswoman and mayor for two decades.

Are dynasties good or bad? Some are progressive and development-oriented, while others, or most, are in it only to perpetuate their vested interests. But one thing stands out – with the internal revenue allotments, local dynasts have found financial muscle, and have made a business out of politics. The good ones use the IRA to pump-prime their local economies and give solid social services, for which they are rewarded with re-election, and the election of their kin. The bad ones use the financial independence merely to buy votes and reward political serfs, and keep the population poor and dependent.

Are there any more brave souls who will buck the wave of local dynasties, specially the obviously unproductive ones? Look at Metro Manila where voters are supposedly more "intelligent", and weep.

Are there any more? When will true democracy win, and feudalism end in these islands of seemingly endless misery?





* * * * * * *






‘It is all about realizing that all of us should be but instruments of the greater good.’


Anguish

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was not a precipitate reaction to Kit Tatad’s overblown angst against family dynasties. It was a deliberate decision made after weeks of meditation in Tanay and an anguished meeting last Monday night between President Estrada and his son Mayor JV.

As early as January 5, in a meeting where some journalists shared a kamayan lunch with him, Estrada intimated to this writer his personal anguish over the political odyssey of his son Joseph Victor. For one, he was the only senatorial candidate nominated by the leadership of the Partido ng Masang Pilipino, just as Koko Pimentel was the PDP-Laban’s bet in the coalition ticket. His interest in a Senate seat was buoyed up by poll surveys placing him at No. 11 in the derby, if elections were held in November 2006. Despite the brouhaha created by Kit Tatad’s fulminations against looming dynasties in the upper chamber, JV even upped his ratings to No. 9 in the last week of January, precisely at the height of the issue’s newsworthiness.

I asked the former president to "hold his horses" and look at the forthcoming surveys, although I felt deeply impressed by the selflessness he was proferring. On January 17, he met Ms. Sonia Roco, perhaps the first time he had a serious talk with Raul Roco’s widow. The following Saturday, in a one-on-one talk, he confessed that he was on the verge of asking his son JV to withdraw in favor of Ms. Roco. I advised him to wait for further political developments, since it looked like the Wednesday group, which was discussing a political coalition with UNO leaders through Senate President Manny Villar, might not come in intact after all. Talk was rife at the time that a so-called "Unity" ticket was being machinated by the NPC’s Jun Dy and the political tacticians who reside in the bowels of the stinking palace beside the stinking river.

"We could give way to Ms. Roco without having to jettison JV," I reasoned out. I also told him that a decision at that point in time would create an impact against Koko Pimentel and Alan Peter Cayetano, leading to an implosion of the cobbled party alliances.

"I want to enlarge the coalition, to include specially the civil society forces, of which Sonia has become a symbol," he argued. I said I fully agreed, as I personally wanted Ms. Roco in our slate, but I pleaded that he take more time to make a final decision, knowing how it would hurt Mayor JV, who could be the advocate of local governments in the Senate, having proven himself how he, without national government support, and a congressman also from the opposition, Ronaldo Zamora, could even better the services available to his constituents.

"Fasten seat belts muna, Sir," I said, while Tatad was bellowing in the airlanes. But last Monday, February 5, again in Tanay, one-on-one, he told me that he had called for JV and his mom, Tita Guia, who would be there that evening. In our conversation, I had gathered that Erap wanted to lay the predicate, should he finally admonish his son to quit from what would be a certain electoral victory. That evening, on his way to Tanay, I even gave encouragement over the phone to the young mayor, confident that UNO could yet include Ms. Sonia Roco without having to expend JV’s chances.

But early Thursday afternoon, with a voice cracking with anguished pain, the President told me he had asked JV to finally sacrifice for the sake of greater unity among forces opposing GMA. "I don’t want these elections framed as a proxy war between Gloria and Erap," he said. "It has to be the People of the Philippines versus Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her regime of lying, stealing and cheating." The more there are former political adversaries joining us and siding with the people against GMA, the better, Estrada explained.

Words fail me in describing the class act of Joseph Ejercito Estrada and his son Joseph Victor. He will be in detention for six years by the latter half of this campaign, but he continues to be loved by the descamisados and the masa. Now I fully understand. It is all about sensitivity. It is all about realizing that all of us should be but instruments of the greater good.

***

"Forked tongue" is the best description for the GMA government’s tactical communications policy. A month ago, Mike Defensor was mouthing political reconciliation, and appealing even for Estrada’s release on recognizance. Now, GMA’s national security adviser by what lean credentials I have yet to fathom, tells us that they have ordered him "incomunicado" except to closest kin and his lawyers. "We have intelligence reports of an assassination attempt against the former president," says el otro Gonzales.

The former president resides in Camp Capinpin in Tanay, where battalions of Army officers and soldiers keep him imprisoned, on top of a platoon or two of police officers. And they cannot "secure" him from his "friends"? See how political insincerity rules the thinking of this insensitive government?

***

You have to admire Rep. Gilbert Teodoro of the NPC for his intellectual honesty. He has been inveigled by both his party-mates and the administration’s top honchos to run for senator under their "Unity" ticket. He has refused, unable to reconcile the idea of running for a seat in a chamber which barely two months ago, he along with the same administration leaders, wanted to abolish via a rump constituent assembly.

He stands squarely behind a parliamentary system, and has the courage of his political convictions. His inferiors in the administration machinery find no inconsistency with what they proposed and what they are now doing. Trapos they are with hardly any redeeming value.

***

Congress adjourned the other day after frenzied "overtime" to pass several pieces of legislation at the last minute, as usual. Bills that have been languishing in interminable committee hearings and technical working group deliberations, "kuno," were rushed for approval on the floor. The result? Haphazardly written and haphazardly amended legislation that always gets challenged before the Supreme Court.

Both our senators and congressmen wait until the last minute to approve pending legislation, especially when election time is just around the corner. Franchises and special interest laws are approved always at the last minute. Do not wonder why.