PRESIDENT Fidel Ramos on Monday expressed
dismay on the re-emergence of political dynasties, saying
political leadership is not something that can be transferred
from one family member to another.
"It (leadership) is earned and you have to
work for it," he said in a media briefing at his Makati office.
Ramos cited members of the family of
President Arroyo who are either seeking reelection or eyeing new
positions.
Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo is seeking reelection
in Pampanga while Diosdado Ignacio "Dato" Arroyo Jr. is set to
run for the first district seat of Camarines Sur.
The president’s brother-in-law Ignacio "Iggy"
Arroyo is seeking reelection in the fifth district of Negros
while Marilou Arroyo, another sister-in-law, is eyeing the
fourth district seat of Iloilo.
Ramos said political dynasties deprive
younger and more capable leaders who do not have the influence,
family ties, fame or wealth of the chance to serve the nation.
"There is a thing called delicadeza at kung
masyado nang matagal sila sa pwesto pagbigyan naman nila ang iba,"
said Ramos.
Ramos said he is also disgusted by the
continued raiding of the ranks of the Lakas Christian Muslim
Democrats (Lakas CMD), of which he is chairman emeritus, by the
Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), the political party of
President Arroyo.
He said that as coalition partners, Lakas and
Kampi should work in harmony in achieving their goals and not
let petty quarrels and politics prevail.
"The parties in any enterprise whether it is
in politics, sports or business should not undermine each other.
Do you undermine your family, parents? You don’t do that to
people with whom you share common interests," said Ramos.
Ramos said he also resented he was not
included in the arbitration process to resolve disputes over the
selection of official administration candidates among Lakas and
Kampi aspirants.
The opposition has also been accused of
seeking to promote political dynasties.
Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Rep. Alan Peter
Cayetano is a brother of Sen. Pia Cayetano. Aquilino Pimentel
III is a son of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel. – Ashzel
Hachero
