Candidates Tackle Political Dynasty; Media Censorship in Cebu Senate Talks

The 3rd Senate Forum hosted by the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI), which put emphasis on issue about political dynasties, was held earlier today at the Cebu Cultural Center.

Senatorial candidates who came were former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri , Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, and Bro. Eddie Villanueva. The three are known to have relatives in government office.

Grace Poe Llamanzares, former Movie and Television Review and Classifications Board (MTRCB)chairman, and the daughter of the late presidential candidate and action star, FPJ, was also present.

Ang Kapatiran candidates Ricardo Penson and Rizalito David and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño, and lawyer Samson Alcantara, who are all strongly against political dynasties, were also there for the forum.

The forum focused on the issue on political dynasty where the candidates were asked about their stand on the issue.

David mentioned about his Anti-political Dynasty Campaign which started months ago. “There’s no specific number on how many signatures to get but we are hoping to finish the campaign in 2 years,” David added.

Penson said, “This law has been there for a long time but there is no action.” He also cited that in 1987, the political dynasty was up to 10% but now it reached 70%.

According to Alcantara, it’s not true that there’s good or bad dynasty, as this only applies to good and bad cholesterol.

Bayan Muna representative Teddy Casiño said “Family is very important in molding values, but if families control power, it gives wrong impression to young people.”

When asked about his father, Poe said that he serves as her inspiration for service. “I want to continue his legacy to provide assistance especially among the poor,” she added.

Angara said that his father’s term is ending which means he has no other relatives running for office.

Zubiri stated the importance of political allies whether dynasty or not. “There are even circumstances when the children are better leaders than their parents,” Zubiri added.

Villanueva said that the concept of political dynasty does not have a clear definition yet.

Moreover, issues on poverty, education, healthcare and separation of the state and the church were also tackled during the event.

After the forum, when asked regarding their stand about the issue on media censorship, Angara told MetroCebu News that freedom of expression is important in a democratic country.

“Given the freedom of speech allowed to them (media) under the Constitution, one has to have boundaries of decency,” said former Zubiri on media censorship.

Penson said that he would push for the freedom of information act. “People deserves to know what members of the legislative and exectuive are up to,” Penson added. Villanueva also expressed his support on the freedom of information act. He said that he believed it can be legalized by strong public opinion.

As for Casiño on politicians being an owner or shareholder of media outlets, he mentioned about “legislation that prohibit politicians from owning media entities.”

However, he also said that what’s important is that the politician is transparent about ownership and involvement of the media outlet and also the entity should not be use for his own interest by protecting their names.