A friend once told me that in governance, the last name’s the charm.
It is a well known trend that has not lost its luster throughout Philippine history. A less popular idea, however, is that this family affair does not necessarily equal pursuits of tyranny.
It is assumed by common folk that this trend is a root of corruption and is backed up by history to be such, but the focus towards the families themselves leaves out a very crucial aspect. Significant enough of a point that does not only reevaluate the trend but also diverts its initial focus.
Let me first clear out a nagging thought at the back of the readers’ mind. I am not a part of any of these “Elite Families” or E-Fams. These families are commonly pegged under political dynasties, but personally I prefer the term E-Fam. Moreover, I am in no way trying to justify the atrocities committed by political families such as the Ampatuans of recent or the Marcoses of the past.
Perhaps it is because of these forms of oligarchic families that the masses’ assumptions have not been kind to the trend of political kinship.
Time has shown that these political elites derive their influence from their ability to mobilize kith and kin towards common interests. These interests, we assume to be power, wealth and practically anything else selfish. This drive leads to the formation of internal kinfolk-webs in the trenches of civil service and governance. These go far from fathers to sons, to wives and daughters, as far as uncle to aunts, cousins, and at times even, the ever so difficult in-laws.
This is annoying to most because it seems to defy the very idea of equal opportunity for public service. I cannot argue otherwise and to some, the truth is as clear as a cloudless sky. E-Fams are inherently bad-eggs. Are they really; or a better question I suppose is, should they really be?
Let’s face it; when we talk about political families we are stuck with the general idea of the Marcos regime or even the Spanish colonial era when the Illustrados were favored for posts in governance. This is our picture of a political family, a less than caring E-Fam with non-aggregate interests of their own, for their own.
What we forget is that before the preconceived notions and public distrust, there was simply the foundation of a family. These families are not only driven by pursuits of glory and power, but also by the principles they stand upon. Some of these principles may be good or bad but they are principles nonetheless.
Ever heard of the saying, “Every good and bad thing begins in the family”. The crucial aspect that is not considered by a lot of folks is the foundation in which these families in power are built on. The problem is therefore not that it is kept within the family, but rather the types of values these families uphold. If a political family values integrity over personal gain, justice over power, and truth above political leverage, we might just recognize that political families are not so bad for this country after all.
This is the crucial aspect. This is what political families should develop and radiate in public service.
Granted, it is true that each individual has his or her own agenda, but the large chunk of the choices and political drive or in this case will, is co-dependent on the established set of principles of that particular individual.
Household names like the Osmeñas, Lopezes, Cojuancos, and Aquinos do not only have to stride for portions of power and wealth when and if their values do espouse tyrannous paths. These E-Fams can do right by the people and as an alternative, stride to make this nation worth calling one’s own which in the long run will be beneficial to all.
Much like how a father is the head of the family, these E-Fams hold the most influential of posts. The highest post of government is presently held by one of these household names and it will be the type of values and character that has been molded in the family that will emanate the type of governance this country will have in the coming years.
Yes, there are various aspects to consider when it comes to good governance and it may be true that politics in the family may not be as challenging as politics in the government, but we have to consider that the principles instilled within a family are taken outside of it as well.
This family affair does not have to turn into what we call now a political dynasty. When we consider the reality these E-Fams have placed in civil service and governance, and approach it in a manner that changes the values these political families have, we might realize that our country is a larger family we as a people also need to look out for.
