Fearless forecast

There won't be an anti-dynasty ban (or law) this year.

- TONY LOPEZ

Neither will there be one in 2026. Nor will there a ban against dynasties in 2027.

Why? In 2028, the presidency will be contested by the dynasties. If you are not a dynasty by today, you cannot win the presidency in 2028. Even if you are not a dynast and still win the presidency in 2028, the dynasties will not allow you to take office as president. That is how dynasties operate — greedy, corrupt, vicious and violent.

How do you eliminate dynasties then?

You can. Under two conditions.

One, the president of the Philippines or one who claims to be the president and is supported by the US and the military should declare a revolutionary government and overhaul the present 38-year-old Constitution.

Two, you call a constitutional convention to overhaul the present Constitution.

In the Constitution, you remove the party-list system, which is now dominated by dynasts and flood control contractors. You bring back the two-party system, like the old NP and LP. The two parties were the antidote to dynasties because they promoted excellence and meritocracy and disdained the popularity of actors and broadcasters.

Under the NP and LP, all the Philippine presidents, from 1946 to 1966, except for one (a mechanical engineer), were Bar topnotchers (meaning, they were competent). Elections were cheap because the government funded watchers (who were teachers) of the two parties to ensure an honest count at the precinct level. Today, with a multiparty system, a presidential bet finances his own watchers. Imagine recruiting 300,000 watchers and paying them P2,000 per day for two days. That’s P1.2 billion, for watchers alone.