A group of retired military and police generals called on President Marcos to certify an anti-political dynasty measure as urgent, stressing that political dynasties and corruption are “two sides of the same coin.”
Retired Brig. Gen. Eliseo Rio Jr., a member of the Advocates for National Interest (ANI), said the problem of unchecked corruption has consequences, adding the President must “bite the bullet” even if an anti-political dynasty law is unpopular to some groups.
“Bakit may korapsyon? Ang dynasty nagiging family business at sa korapsyon nila kinukuha ‘yung return of investment,” he said in a DZMM interview.
“Halos lahat ng nakapwesto ay political dynasty. 80 percent ng lahat ng mga local government units ay political dynasty. Ito ay isang concern. Kung mabawasan ‘yung mga kamag-anak na namumuno, magkakaroon tayo ng check and balance. In other words, kung hindi kamag-anak, napupuna kung mayroong ginagawang hindi maganda ang isang pulitiko.”
“Ang corruption at political dynasties are two sides of the same coin. So kung gusto mong mabawasan ang corruption, dapat pairalin ang isang batas na nagde-define kung ano ‘yung political dynasty.”
While the 1987 Philippine Constitution prohibits political dynasties, the lack of an enabling law has allowed political clans to consolidate power to the extent that more than half of incumbent public officials now come from dynasties.
A Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism study showed that over 80 percent of members of the House of Representatives are dynasts, while the majority of elected local officials also bear the same old names.
Last Thursday, Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a new bill prohibiting political dynasties in elective offices.
In his interview, Rio commended Mr. Marcos Jr. for acting swiftly on the flood control mess but noted more can be done to purge corruption.
“Gawin niyang urgent ‘yung legislation. Isa ‘yun sa mga powers ng presidente…Bite the bullet. Use your political will kahit na unpopular sa grupo niyo, kailangan gawin ninyo for the sake of our country,” he said.
He also called for urgent reforms in the electoral system, noting that political dynasties are using the polls to entrench themselves in electoral positions.
“Dapat mapareporma ang ating elections system dahil ang nangyayari, parang kuwan ba, expenses nila ‘yung gagawin para bumili ng boto tapos babawiin pag sila ay nasa pwesto na,” he said.
