Viewpoints
Kamaganak, Inc.
By +Oscar V. Cruz, JCD.
THERE were those – not exactly hopeful much less inspiring – years that a set of relatives took the reigns of then government. The previous one was a dark episode in the history of the country particularly so on three counts: The disregard for human dignity. The violation of human rights. The depreciation of human lives. With the eventual fall of the Martial Law Regime, people joyfully marched in the streets, singing songs and laughing with gusto. And the desired change came to fore: The dictator left. A new government was installed. There was jubilation all over the land.
So it was that practically the whole world admired the Filipinos and rejoiced their so-called “Bloodless Revolution.” This was considered as a sublime example of how civilized nations should act against an uncivilized government. The Filipinos were cheered at international airports, were admired and congratulated by people in foreign countries. Those were glorious and promising times for the Philippines until slowly but surely certain non-acceptable – odious and shameful – socio-political phenomena slowly but surely came to fore.
Never mind that the then leadership did not know what to do, how and when to do it. Never mind if there were those who made the leader their follower. Never mind if the otherwise golden opportunity for national socio-economic development was converted into but empty rhetoric. Among other interesting and notorious episodes that then took place, the people of the Philippines were entertained with the sale “galunggong” coming from Malacanang itself. They were induced to but electric generators for lack of power. Add hereto, the spectacle of coup d’etat one after another – not to mention the atrocious “Mendiola Massacre.”
So it was that slowly but surely, the so-called “Kamaganak, Inc.” became a living and vibrant reality in the country. In a few words, it meant that gradual but decided invasion of government by the close and/or distant known and trusted relatives of the then Malacanang occupant. And the rest is history. People were disappointed if not angry. So it was that a Constitutional Convention was called, held and thereafter signed by the delegates on 15 October 1986.
Behold the provision and spirit of a State Policy, Art. II Section 26: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibits political dynasties as may be defined by law.” Now it becomes clear what instanced this Constitutional Provision, and how come it is that to this date, the fundamental law remains futile under the present administration – an immediate hair of the former one that precisely ushered in the institution of the “Kamaganak, Inc.”
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
