January 22, 2013

The Eusebio Political Dynasty

"The State shall guarantee equal access to public service and prohibit political dynasty as may be defined by law".

- The Constitution, Article 2, Section 26

On January 24, 2011, during the First Regular Session of the 13th Congress, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago passed her Senate Bill No. 2649 entitled "The Anti-Political Dynasty Act" which aims to prohibit the establishment of political dynasties.

However, I agree on Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes when he said that "only people's initiative can pass anti-dynasty bill" (The Manila Times, 09 November 2012).

Of course, most legislators would oppose such law since they would protect their own interest first. The purpose of the Anti-Political Dynasty Act is "to prohibit spouse or person related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election to hold or run for any elective office in the same province in the same election." (The Manila Times, 09 November 2012).

As a citizen of Pasig City, I've seen the Eusebio family ruled our City for the past 21 years! I believe it's a very long period to be under one political dynasty and this should stop soon.

> Vicente Eusebio, (1992–2001)

> Soledad Eusebio, (2001–2004)

> Vicente Eusebio, (2004–2007)

> Robert Eusebio, (2007–present)

With the coming 2013 Election, incumbent mayor Robert "Bobby" Eusebio is going to run for a 2nd term. That would be another 3 years under the leadership of the Eusebio family. Pasig City is literally stamped with the "e" sign (for Eusebio) and is colored blue and yellow (color code for Eusebio family).

In all these years that I've been living in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City under the Eusebio Family, I've only seen 1 construction project that directly affected me as a citizen -- the construction of the Santa Rosa de Lima Bridge.

This is the reason why I dream of the passage of The Anti-Political Dynasty Bill and why I'm hoping to see a mayor in Pasig City Hall that is NOT related with the Eusebio Family. It would be a breath of fresh air when that happens.

(Picture courtesy of Global Balita as illustrated by Analyn Perez)

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