‘Issue of political dynasties more moral than legal’

MANILA, Philippines - Former senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. has raised a moral question on the issue of political dynasties.

“Political dynasty is something that is not desirable but (it thrives) because of the Filipino culture. We must have a law. Absent of a law, it should be the moral values of the family,” Magsaysay, only son of former President Ramon Magsaysay,  told STAR editors and reporters Monday night.

He said incumbent political family leaders should act as the “moral compass” for their relatives and even children to avoid dynasties.

“It’s a moral issue more than legal because if the head of the family has a strong moral compass, then he will avoid dynasty practices,” he added.

Magsaysay recalled that his father did not allow his relatives – not even his own brother Genaro – to enter politics during his incumbency.

Genaro became congressman of Zambales in 1957 after his brother’s death, and later became senator.

Magsaysay is making another run for the Senate under the administration’s Liberal Party (LP) in next year’s elections. He finished his term in 2007 and returned to his dairy farm and cable businesses.

The former senator had no comment on the candidacy of Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, daughter-in-law of his cousin, ex-Zambales Gov. Vicente Magsaysay. The congresswoman is running for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

‘It’s a family affair’ Magsaysay did not name names but President Aquino’s nephew, Bam, is running for senator under LP.

Others running under the administration party are Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, son of Sen. Edgardo Angara, and Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, who has been serving side by side with his sister Pia at the Senate.

On the other hand, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile’s son, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, and San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito are running for senator under UNA.

Ejercito’s half-brother Jinggoy Estrada is now Senate president pro-tempore.

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo had allowed her sons, Dato and Mikey, to run for congressional posts during her incumbency as president.

Magsaysay agrees with constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas’ position on political dynasty. He added that it’s up to the public to decide if they would continue patronizing political families. – With Evelyn Macairan