De Lima: Duterte family role model of political dynasty

Detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima on Sunday deplored the “dynastic” succession to government office in

the country and pointed out that the Duterte family has become the role model of political dynasty.

In a dispatch from her detention cell in Camp Crame, De Lima said that the Duterte family is fielding all three children

as candidates for elective posts in Davao in the 2019 polls.

Also, she said that in no other time in the country’s history has political dynasty been “more pronounced” than under the Duterte administration.

“The prevalence of impunity and lack of accountability enabled by Duterte has further engendered the culture on which

political dynasties thrive, including the thirst for monopoly of power and dominance in patronage politics.”

“It is therefore no wonder why other political families would follow suit in this showcase of avarice for political power,” she said.

Further, President Duterte’s three children —Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is seeking re-election; her younger brother Sebastian

would be her running-mate; and their eldest Paolo, is seeking a congressional seat for the first district of Davao.

No doubt, Duterte and his family treat Davao as their kingdom, De Lima said, adding, “It takes a special kind of lack of delicadeza

for a family to surmise that public office is a birthright and a personal entitlement.”

Meanwhile, the Senator from Bicol kept up that with the presidential family as good example, the degree of dynastic control

of legislative issues is driven more distant than at any other time.

“So now, we see life partners running for various congressional regions and kin offering the voters of the nation’s

chief city no other decision yet themselves,” she said.