DCNHS alumni host forum on political dynasties
POLITICAL dynasties are here to stay.
This was the conclusion brought home in a forum organized by the Dagupan City National High School (DCNHS) alumni led by Class 65 last Saturday at the school’s Abong na Alumni with Prof. Romulo M. Tuazon as main speaker.
Political power in the Philippines has been under the control of dynasties for the last six centuries, pointed Tuazon of the Diliman-based Center for People Empowerment in Governance (Cen-Peg) and a member of DCNHS Class 65.
Tuazon said 94 percent of the country’s provinces, or 73 out of 80, have political dynasties that enjoy political stronghold in their respective turfs for decades.
He noted that in recent history, the Ampatuan clan in Maguindanao is the leading dynasty with 73 of its members running for various positions in the 2013 elections.
Dynasties have been perpetuated by traditional kinship network; weak political machinery; access in the country, property, and government resources; weak political party system and electoral system; and a culture of powerlessness among the people and voters, he explained.
He added that political dynasties have economic monopoly such as in property ownership, mining, logging, sugar and tobacco, other industrial enterprises, including media and links to banks and financial institutions.
He said economic power breeds political power.
Tuazon, younger brother of the late Victor Tuazon of the defunct DZTD and The PUNCH, is a University of the Philippines graduate and an international awardee on political studies.
Prime movers of the forum were Lilia Jovellanos-Tuason; Amy Macasieb, Bernadette Mendoza, Dr. Jean F. Jimenez, Eddie Cervantes, George Ragutana, and Ramon Reyna, Class ‘65 association president.
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