Cousins Gibo, Noynoy take different stands on dynasties

They may be cousins running for president in the May elections, but they have varying opinions regarding political dynasties. In a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents' Association of the Philippines (Focap) Monday, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (Liberal Party) answered “yes" while Gilberto "Gibo" Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD) responded “no" when asked whether they would support a bill against political dynasties if they get elected. Aquino said a law should be imposed against political dynasties while Teodoro offered an alternative solution. “Yes in the sense of leveling the playing field but no in the sense that a surname automatically [makes you guilty] of a crime you are not being accused of," Aquino said in explaining his answer. His mother, Corazon Aquino, was a former President, while his father Ninoy was a senator who had his eyes on the presidency. Former President Aquino was the first cousin of Teodoro's mother Mercedes. Teodoro, meanwhile, said campaign finance reforms would be an effective tool against political dynasties. “The best way to defeat a political dynasty in my view is to beat them in an election," Teodoro said. "The solution to political dynasty is through campaign finance reforms – allow political parties the financial strength with full disclosure even before election period in order for it to perpetuate its programs and fund candidates to beat dynasties." Teodoro's wife Nikki is a congresswoman representing Tarlac. She ran after her husband vacated his post to become defense secretary in the Arroyo administration.

Under the current law, political parties may only spend P5 per voter currently registered in an area where it has official candidates. Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution says “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." Congress, known to be a haven for clans entrenched in power, has yet to define a political dynasty. Aside from Teodoro, another presidential aspirant, Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan), also a politician's son, husband and brother, said he would not push for a law against political dynasties. He said candidates should just have longer term limits to address the issue of relatives running for the same position once one relative has reached his or her term limit. Other presidential aspirants who attended the forum – Sen. Jamby Madrigal (independent), JC delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), and Nicanor Perlas (independent) – said they would back legislation prohibiting political dynasties. Five of the nine presidential candidates are scions of well-known political families: Aquino, Delos Reyes, Gordon, Madrigal, and Teodoro.- KBK/HGS, GMANews.TV