Batangas: A microcosm of the PHilippines’ ‘family problem’

The forthcoming local elections in the province of Batangas are one of the most harmful, blatant, and disgusting examples of how political dynasties get to govern our country.

Vilma Santos-Recto running for governor and her two sons for vice governor and congressman, if all elected, are a clear and future danger to what we have already seen as one of the most pernicious obstacles to our achieving of full human development.

Let’s look at their power and roles.

The governor is the chief executive of the province. He has no legislative powers. He can only execute the budget passed by the provincial council, but he can choose what to execute and what not to execute (or sit on). It is this web of legislation and execution (the disbursement of funds) that becomes rife with politics and “utang na loob.”

The vice governor on the other hand is the chief or head of the legislative council. He presides over legislative sessions and controls and shepherds the legislative agenda of the provincial council. Often, the vice governor controls most council members and can push for whatever budget, ordinance, or resolution he wants.

The congressman is a national position but with local concerns. The congressman channels national budget money into his locality (aka pork barrel).

With Vilma Santos-Recto and her sons having potential control of all these offices, they will have full control of the money and policy in Batangas.

The scenario, where the provincial council is supposed to be an independent partner of the governor, not an assistant or controlled apparatus, imperils the system of checks and balances.

Can you imagine Luis Manzano as vice governor going against the policy and budgetary wishes of his mother Vilma? Or the other way around? What about Vilma’s youngest son, Ryan Recto—can he and will he hold the Batangas governor accountable in any legislative and budget hearings on issues? Ryan scrutinizing Vilma in Congress is just unimaginable.

We, Filipinos, have this great love of and loyalty to family. In these, we see family members unwilling to shame another member who committed a crime, and we understand because “they’re family.”

Outside of politics, that may be a good thing. But in politics, that can really be bad because loyalty and priority should be for the Filipino, the common good.

Almost 38 years have passed since the 1987 Constitution declared political dynasties as bad and that Congress should pass a law prohibiting it.

I cannot imagine the Constitution—the highest law of the land—rendered inutile and ineffective just because of family interests of senators and congressmen largely belonging to political dynasties. The Supreme Court has a role in this instance. As the last vanguard of the Constitution, it must consider interpreting the ban on political dynasties.

The Philippines is composed of millions of families. We cannot leave the job of governance to a few individuals, special interests, and privileged classes. We should not leave it to the control of a family dynasty, not just in the province of Batangas but in the entire archipelago.

It is said: “The highest form of wisdom is to know when to play and when to stay away.” Maybe in 2025, let’s all stay away and vote whoever is “iba naman.”

Norman Cabrera,
president,
Kapatiran Party