Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

As the second speaker of the affirmative side, let me discuss to you why it is
beneficial to enact Anti-Political Dynasty Bill into law.
This bill if made into law would lessen the gap between the rich and the poor.
Various studies over the past few years have pointed out that one of the
reasons that contribute to the big gap between the rich and the poor in the
country is the domination of political families in elective posts either
simultaneously or in terms of office that succeed each other.
In many towns and provinces around the country, access to both economic
and political power is often dominated by political clans, or dynasties as
they have come to be referred to.
Bertelsmann Foundation, recognized worldwide for its work in promoting
social change towards societys long-term viability, was reported to have
said that true progress in the Philippines would be out of reach unless the
improbable was achieved: dismantling of oligarchies that control both politics
and business.
The German foundation, in its newly released biennial Bertelsmann
Transformation Index for this year, was quoted in a Philippine Daily Inquirer
report as saying that the dominance of entrenched family clans in politics
and the economy should be reduced to make politics and economics more
transparent and competitive.
Closer to home, the National Statistical Coordination Board presented last
October findings from a study by economists at the Asian Institute of
Management (AIM) showing that poverty was linked to the prevalence of
political dynasties.
The study cited empirical evidence showing strong evidence that the more
severe poverty is, the higher the prevalence of political dynasties and that
areas with more poor people tend to have many political dynasties.
Given that the poor are most vulnerable to political patronage and
manipulation as well as practical to sell their votes, a worsening, if not
unchanging, poverty would be beneficial to political dynasties, the AIM
economists study said.
Since the largest political dynasties would, in most situations, be the
families that have cultivated the most extensive networks of patronage,
accumulated the most political and financial capital, and have the access to
the largest political machineries, they would also be in the best position to

take advantage of vulnerable economically disadvantaged voters, the study

further said.
Moreover, it would also alleviate graft and corruption in our country. The
presence of political dynasties in our government promotes graft and
corruption, because family members tend to overlook the mistakes of each
other. This also leads to nepotism (A. Donato, personal communication,
October 28, 2010). Graft and corruption occurs due of their power and
confidence to do it because they hold every position in a community so no
one will charge them of their bad deeds. Nepotism occurs when the relative
of a powerful figure ascends to similar power seemingly without appropriate
qualifications.
The implementation of prohibiting political dynasties will an equal
opportunity to every people of the country in the positions in our
government. According to the constitution, every position in the government
has a limited term to every individual who had been in that position like the
local government officials; they are limited only for three terms of being reelected to a position etc.
A. Donato said, "Political dynasties are weakening our democratic form of
government because these dynasties deprive independent candidates; who
can be more capable and deserving; in equal opportunity of aiming for a
position in the government (personal communication, October 28, 2010)."
The statement said that the existence of political dynasties in our country
weakens our government. Why you may ask? Its because these dynasties
deprive the sense of "fairness" in people running for office during elections,
especially independent candidates. The chance to gain a position in the
government should be equal, but with families monopolizing the different
positions in the government, these independent candidates may never get
the opportunity to serve their country.
"The phenomenon of Political Dynasties shows the absence of any real
competition in politics, Because of the cop sided economic structure of
inequality which allows only a few to monopolize wealth and power
(Simbulan, 2007)."
The power of political dynasties can make the competition in the election
unfair. It is because of different political families which are involved in the
government. They want to get their wealth and power to their political
family, but mostly to have power for them not to be replaced in their
position.
"After winning their desired position in the government, they can affect
favorable laws which is not only giving them power and money, but also the
protection in order for them to be secured in their position (Simbulan,
2007)."

Many candidates are ruled by the abuse of having the power of their
position. Once they have their desired position, they never want to be
replaced in the position they stand at. For them say in their position, they will
change some laws that favor them and not only will give them money and
power, but also will make them secured in the position they have.
Mr. Moderator, I now humbly submit myself for interpellation.