Group brings campaign against political dynasties to C de Oro

By Jigger Jerusalem

A CITIZENS’ group pushing for the abolition of political dynasties in the country doubts President Aquino would help in its campaign.

Danilo Olivares, co-chair of the Movement against Dynasties (MAD), said Aquino’s stand is not for the abolition of political dynasties since he has a cousin running for senator.

Because of this, the group said it expects that Aquino would keep mum on the ongoing initiative that Olivares said has the support of the Roman Catholic church and other denominations.

Olivares and other MAD volunteers were in the city on Sunday conducting signature campaigns at the St. Augustine Cathedral, Black Nazarene parish church and Fatima church in Camaman-an.

MAD is a nationwide non-partisan and voluntary organization of volunteers from socio, civic, and religious organizations, non-government organizations, cause-oriented advocates and university
and college students.

In spite of that, Olivares appealed to Aquino to support
the anti-political dynasty movement to curb corruption and violence in line with the President’s “matuwid na daan” thrust.

He said Aquino should uphold the anti political dynasty provision in the 1987 Constitution ratified during the administration of her mother, the late Cory Aquino.

“He (Aquino) must respect the Constitution that her mother crafted,” Olivares said.

Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states: “The state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

But MAD, in a statement, said it is unfortunate that “after 26 years, Congress has not acted on the proposed enabling law because 70 percent of legislators belong to political dynasties.”

Olivares said the group is targeting some 5.2 million signatures from all over the country.

“It’s a ‘mission impossible,’” Olivares admits, “but with the help of churches and people it could be done.

“We hope that in this year’s elections, Filipinos will consider not voting for candidates who belong to political dynasties,” he said.

Olivares said even the “masa” that politicians capitalize on during elections are fed up with the political dynasties.

“Ang masa galit na kasi walang nagbago after how many years,” he said.

Olivares said it is not right that only a few families are running the country.

He said they realize that the signature campaign may go beyond 2013 and well into the 2016 elections.

However, he stressed that by doing the signature campaign all over the country now, they would be able to inform the people that political dynasties are prohibited by law, are wrong and are harmful to the country and as such it is up to the people who not to vote come election day.