TURNING POINT: Political Dynasty, Corruption and Poverty

NAAWAN, Misamis Oriental (MindaNews/ Dec 07) – Political dynasty concerns ownership and control over the distribution of power and economic benefits of a politically defined area. A dynastic family would not leave a competitor in this business and would use any means to settle in power. Electoral positions are thus allocated to family members.

Corruption is the guiding spirit of politics and governance in the region. The dynasty to stay in power drives opponents out of political competitions either by giving them lower positions or by buying them out. In some cases, the family will install a pseudo opposition just to have a semblance of democracy on its territory. If some guys refused to back down and still challenged the dynasty, then the ultimate decision is to buy the voters.

In some cases, not only voters would be bribed, but also election officials who oversee election contests.

In some savage hotspots across the country, political dynasties maintain an army of morons to swing electoral contests to their advantage by harassing or liquidating political opponents and supporters.

The rise and entrenchment of political dynasty is one of the risks associated with adopting a federal system of government. This is unavoidable in the current state of the country where the regions or areas to constitute federal member states are economically and politically unequal.

Economically and/or politically disadvantaged federal states are susceptible to being taken over by corrupt powerful families and will thus become poorer than ever.

Indeed, under present circumstances, a federal system of government will make the rich richer and the poor poorer. This imbalance and social injustice seriously threaten the peace and security of the nation.

(MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. William R. Adan, Ph.D., is a retired professor and former Chancellor of Mindanao State University in Naawan, Misamis Oriental, Philippines)