Don’t fear political dynasties – Angara

MANILA, Philippines - Political dynasties are not always bad, said Rep Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, a member of the Angara political clan of Aurora province.

“If you have your own qualifications and you have the name, I don’t think it’s a bad thing,” he told ANC's Headstart on Tuesday, June 26.

“Why deprive the people of their choice?,” he said. Angara is the son of Senator Edgardo Angara and the nephew of Aurora Gov. Bellafor Castillo.

AB issue?

Angara said the opposition to political dynasties appears to be a “Manila-type, intellectual A-B issue.”

“In my talks with people, hindi issue sa kanila yun. Kung magaling ang tatay o asawa, may tatak yun at makatutulong sa tatakbo…. I think it's an issue for the elite, but not for the masa," he said.

Nevertheless, Angara said he could still support a bill against political dynasties. “If it’s a good bill and it doesn’t unduly limit the opportunities for public office and the choice of voters, there is nothing wrong,” he said. “There are bills versus political dynasties but the difficulty lies in defining what is a dynasty and what you are prohibiting."

In the end, Angara said it’s all about voter education. Voters should be able to identify politicians from the issues they stand for.

LP’s senatorial bet?

On his third and last term in the House of Representatives, Angara said he is “inclined” to run for the Senate next year.

President Aquino has named Angara as one of the ruling party's potential senatorial candidates next year. Angara said, however, that there is “no formal invitation from the President to run with LP [Liberal Party].” Angara belongs to the Laban political party.

“We'll cross the bridge when we get there. We're not obsessing over it,” he said.

Running for Aurora’s gubernatorial position is also an option, he said.

He said is watching the surveys and may decide in one or two months. The deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacies is Oct 5, 2012.

Senator Angara’s second and last term in the Senate also expires in 2013. (Courtesy to Rappler.com)