PRESS RELEASE 10 APRIL 2013
GROUPS, YOUTH LEAD CAMPAIGN VS POL DYNASTIES
“Dikit sila nang dikit sa pwesto, dapat na silang maalis! Kung di sila magpapakumbaba at kusang bibitiw o aayaw sa pwesto, taumbayan ang syang magpapabitiw sa kanila. End Political Dynasties… now na!”
This was the battle cry of youth groups and YouTube sensation Mae Paner aka “Juana Change” as they plastered stickers bearing dinosaur figures with the text “End Political Dynasties!” in a campaign called Oplan Pol-Dykit”. Stickers were placed around campaign posters of political candidates they consider to be “clear and obvious” political dynasties.
Youth and reform groups operated in Naga City, Bacolod City, Porac and San Fernando City Pampanga where the stickers were posted. Naga City youth leader Raffy Magno cites the Villafuertes as clear dynasties while youth advocate Mario Gerona of Bacolod City lambasted the Puentevellas. “Maraming pamilyang magagaling sa Negros at sa buong Pilipinas. Hindi lamang iilan ang dapat mabigyan ng pagkakataong manungkulan.” he quips.
“In the case of Navarro v. Ermita, Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio defined political dynasties in the Philippines as a “phenomenon that concentrates political power and public resources within the control of a few families whose members alternately hold elective offices, deftly skirting term limits.” Based on this definition, we encourage the public to reject these clear and obvious political dynasties come May elections!” Atty. Eirene Aguila, founder of Angkop further added.
“Kung saan talamak ang dynastiya, talamak din ang kahirapan. Walang katapusan ang cycle na ito hangga’t hindi gumagalaw ang mamamayan upang wakasan na ang mga political dynasty!” Leon Flores III of Andayamo laments.
The group adds that Oplan PolDykit is a project for everyone. It forms part of the citizens’ larger battle to put an end to political dynasties. It is participated in by several groups including AndayaMo Anti-Dynasty Movement, JuanaChange Movement, Kapatiran, Krusada Kontra Dynastiya, Angkop. Etc.
AndayaMo (Anti-Dynasty Movement) earlier filed with the Commission on Elections a petition to disqualify what it deems to be “clear and obvious” cases of political dynasties. Respondents include Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte; Miguel Luis Villafuerte and his grandfather Luis Villafuerte of Camarines Sur; Dennis Pineda, the son of Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda; and brothers Rexon and Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela. COMELEC has yet to render a decision on the petition.