LIBRT: THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT MUST PROHIBIT POLITICAL DYNASTY

Negative Side
August 7, 2015

We all use stereotypes, all the time, without knowing it. We have met the enemy of equality,
and that enemy is us.

To our reputable adjudicators, to my goal-driven proponents and opponents, to our cheerful

audience, a delightful morning!

Ladies and gentlemen, I am tasked today to talk about the non-beneficiality of the mentioned
proposition and without further ado; let me lay now my arguments on the table.

Here are my two striking points as to why such is not beneficial:

1. It is anti-democratic.
2. The quality of service rendered by the politicians from a political lineage should be given
attention to and not their membership to a political dynasty.

Going back to my first point, it is anti-democratic, ladies and gentlemen, the prohibition of
political dynasty would mean that we are depriving the qualified candidates their rights to run for
an elective position mainly because of the reason that they belong to a political family. Moreover,
it is so anti-democratic when a system begins to prevent citizens from participating in the
electoral processes. Ladies and gentlemen, for you to be enlightened, in the 1987 Philippine
Constitution, Article II Section 1 clearly states that Philippines is a democratic and republican
State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
Therefore, it means to say that the people themselves have the last say on whether to allow a
relative of an incumbent to occupy public positions. We, the sovereign people of this country, are
blessed with the power of putting qualified and deserving candidates in a certain post. If we are
indeed practicing democracy, then we shouldn’t let these reasons blind us, for we are clearly
eradicating their rights to be voted for. If a political clan did something malicious, then we
shouldn’t generalize all political clans that they’re also doing the same. Anyone shouldn’t be
defined solely by what their families did or didn't do. If a person wants to serve, they should be
judged on their character not on the sins of their family. Ladies and gentlemen, let us put greater
faith in the wisdom of the electorate that they would choose properly the right people to lead
them.

On my second point, ladies and gentlemen, I reiterate, the quality of service rendered by the
politicians from a political lineage should be given attention to and not their membership to
a political dynasty. The affirmative side of the house failed to understand that it’s not really the
dynasty that matters, but the characteristics correlated with the formation of a political dynasty. A
significant example for this one is the integrity established by the Dutertes in the soil of Davao.
Rodrigo Duterte became the city mayor for 18 years and counting, twice held the vice mayoral
post and once as representative of the 1st congressional district. His daughter, Sara Duterte-
Carpio, also became vice mayor and later mayor. His eldest son, Paolo is former councilor and is
now sitting on the position of vice-mayor. Yes, they practice political dynasty but let’s take a look
at how Davao has become because of his good governance coupled with the cooperation of the
Dabawenyos. Davao City has emerged to become the 9 th safest city in the world. In addition, the
city also won the National Literacy Hall of Fame Award for being a three-time first-placer in the
Outstanding Local Government Unit, Highly Urbanized City category. Also, Davao City is a Hall
of Famer as the Best Peace & Order Council in the Philippines. Economically speaking, Davao is
also performing at its best in contributing to the economy of our country. This is just to cite an
example of how good political dynasties contribute to the well-being of our nation. I will also
mention an example where the votes of the people prevail in a battle of dynastic candidate over
the non-dynastic candidate. Two families who each ruled over a post for at least three
uninterrupted decades lost for the first time in the May 2013 elections. The Payumo clan, which
before the elections holds the distinction of staying in an incumbent post for the longest time at 48
straight years (1963-2013, minus OIC years), lost its hold on the Dinalupihan mayoralty post. The
Gordons' 31-year reign in the Olongapo City Hall ended last May when Rolen Paulino won over
Anne Gordon, wife of the incumbent mayor James "Bong" Gordon, Jr. who is term-limited, and
Bugsy delos Reyes, Gordon's nephew. They held the post since 1980.

Ladies and gentlemen, at the end of the day, the decision of electing deserving candidates to
elective positions solely lies to the hands of the electorate. The right to embrace the democracy
through running for office should not be denied to anyone. It all boils down to the people giving
their votes.

If we prohibit political dynasty, the electorate will be deprived of the broadest freedom to choose
who they feel should occupy positions in government. After all, free choice is the essence of a
democratic environment.

With that being said, I now temporarily rest my case and submit
myself for interpellation.
REBUTTALIST: With that being said, I now permanently rest
my case.