Political dynasts prominent in SONA, floods SC ruling

Senate President Francis Escudero banged the gavel Monday to call his dynastic chamber to order.

- JARIUS BONDOC

Of 24 senators, four pairs are siblings: the Tulfo brothers, the Ejercito Estrada half-brothers, and the Cayetano and Villar brothers and sisters.

Six among the pairs presently have spouses and offspring in the House of Representatives and local governments; two are offspring of an ex-president; five are offspring of four ex-senators.

Nine other senators have offspring or siblings in the House and local units. Included is Escudero, whose sister is Sorsogon representative. One is the cousin of an ex-president, another the son of an ex-governor.

Only five senators have no political kin. Meaning, 80 percent of senators are dynasts.

Next to bang the gavel was Speaker Martin Romualdez. His son and wife are also House members.

Comelec let the wife run for a fourth consecutive term, against the Constitution's three-term limit. The poll body ignored protests by watchdog Kontra Daya. It claims to have no authority over who shall sit in Congress. Yet in October 2024 to February 2025, it disqualified hundreds of senatorial and party-list candidates.

Of 317 Reps, 257 or 81 percent are dynasts. Their spouses, offspring, siblings, parents hold elective posts.

Dynasts as well are 140 of 164 governors and vice governors, or 85 percent. Kinsmen sit in 82 provincial boards or are mayors, vice mayors and councilors of 149 cities and 1,493 towns.

President Bongbong Marcos stood up to deliver his State of the Nation. In the audience was his Congressman-son Sandro Marcos. Romualdez is a first cousin.

Absent was BBM's senator-sister Imee Marcos. The offspring of the late dictator-president Ferdinand Marcos and minister/governor Imelda Romualdez Marcos are politically estranged for now.