Senatoriable files cases against 178 political dynasties

CEBU, Philippines - Senatorial candidate Ricardo Penson, an advocate of the constitutional prohibition on political dynasties, revealed that he had filed disqualification cases against 178 families controlling 100% of political territories in the country.

Penson, an independent candidate endorsed by the Sanlakas-Partido Lakas ng Masa, said that they filed the case before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) three weeks ago.

They were told beforehand, that the filing fee would be P10,000 per petition but when they went to the COMELEC, the latter changed it to P10,000 per recipient or respondent.

“Sabi nila (COMELEC) na P10,000 per petition, so we had prepared money for it already but noong dumating na kami para magfile at nakita nila kung gaano kadami, biglang nabago, it became P10,000 per respondent na, bale mga P3 million na yong filing fees,” said Penson, during a press conference yesterday.

He said the sudden change forced them to delete, for the meantime, some of the names since they are using their own money for the filing fee.

Penson made mention of some families whom he said exercised political dynasty, including the Dutertes, Villafuertes, Gatchalians, Pinedas and the Duranos here in Cebu, among others.

They also revealed 14 senatoriables whom they say belong to political dynasties including Bam Aquino, Cynthia Villar, Sonny Angara, JV Ejercito, Jack Enrile, Allan Cayetano and Chiz Escudero from the Liberal Party Coalition while Tingting Cojuanco, Nancy Binay, Mitos Magsaysay, Migz Zubiri, Dick Gordon and Ernesto Maceda of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) and Ed Hagedorn, who is running as an independent candidate.

Penson said many already know what political dynasties are.

“Alam ng mga tao kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng political dynasty, kongreso lang ang hindi. Ang mga inilagay natin sa kongreso, niluluko lang tayo. Gusto lang nilang burahin ang Aricle 2, Section 16 ng Philippine Constitution o baguhin ito,” Penson said.

 â€œThe state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law,” the provision states.

Penson said that the provision clearly prohibits the existence of political dynasties that effectively thwart the right of qualified and dedicated Filipinos to be public servants simply because they do not belong to traditional political clans.

He added that the harsh reality is that dominant members of congress belong to political dynasties and undoubtedly cannot be expected to legislate their own demise as a political entity.

Penson said that in political dynasties, wealth and power are concentrated in the hands of a few, which breeds corruption – the root of most evil and eventually results to the widening gap between the poor and the rich.

“Concentration of wealth in the hands of a few makes the poor poorer. Concentration of power in a political dynasty breeds corruption, which is the cause of most evil,” said Penson.

He added that there can be no change unless the nation will do away with political dynasties once and for all. “Let us join hands to bridge the gaps between the poor and the rich, and to assail the dynasty of politics with the power of the ballots,” he added.

Penson, is a native of Bulacan, a social activist, and a successful businessman. He is the president and chief executive officer of Ausphil Tollways Corporation, proponent of the North Luzon East Expressway Tollway Project.

A business administration graduate of San Beda College and had post graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati, OH, Wharton School and at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA.

Penson is inviting his fellow candidates to join the fight against political dynasties as a way of promoting true democracy by signing a covenant with him.

He added that if elected, he will work for the passage of a law banning political dynasties by 2016, and if he fails, he will resign from his office.

Penson also urged the eradication of the pork barrel because he believed that this should be given back to the people.

“Dapat tanggalin na ang pork barrel kasi dapat itong ibalik sa mga tao. It should be abolished,” Penson said, adding that he will also pursue this matter once elected. — (FREEMAN)