The Lees Prove That Political Dynasties Need Not Be An Issue In A Real Parliamentary System

 

It's amazing how the parliamentary system is maliciously attacked by naysayers with terms like "term extension" (rather than term RENEWAL) or that it will perpetuate political dynasties. The "solution" is to apparently pass an anti-political dynasty bill (and congratulations, it FAILED) or maybe they should've passed an anti-Marcos law and anti-Duterte law. For the Dutertards, they should petition to pass an anti-Aquino law and anti-Cojuangco law. Though, in the long run, it wouldn't matter if an Aquino, a Marcos, a Duterte, a Romualdez, etc. will be in power if we're in a parliamentary system. 

Valuable insight of prime minister from father to son

The late Lee Kuan Yew gave a valuable insight towards the end of his book From Third World to First about his family. The Lees had formed a family greater than the Aquinos, the Marcoses, and the Dutertes combined. In fact, the Lees had a political dynasty after all. Lee Hsien Loong is the incumbent prime minister for more than a decade now. But is it anything to worry about? What made the Marcos Years bad was not that Marcos sat for 20 years but the QUALITY OF HIS RULE. Pol Pot ruled Cambodia for only five years but he was a tyrant. Lee Kuan Yew ruled Singapore for 31 years and brought it prosperity. Lee Hsien Loong is ruling Singapore and is doing well as its prime minister.

Lee Kuan Yew said the following about his family Lee Hsien Loong, though in his father's show, became a legislator of his own merit. On Lee Hsien Loong, it can be read the following:

I appointed Loong a junior minister in the ministry of trade and industry. His minister immediately put him in charge of a private sector committee to review the economy just as we entered a severe recession in 1985. The committee's proposals that the government take strong steps to reduce business costs and strengthen competitiveness were a major political test for Loong and the other ministers. In November 1990, when I resigned as prime minister, Loong was appointed deputy prime minister by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Many of my critics thought this smacked of nepotism, that he was unduly favored because he was my son. On the contrary, as I was told the party conference in 1989, the year before I resigned, it would not be good for Singapore or for Loong to have him succeed me. He would be seen as having inherited the office from me when he should deserve the position on HIS OWN MERIT. He was still young and it was better for someone else succeed me as prime minister. Then were Loong to MAKE THE GRADE LATER, it would be clear that he had MADE IT ON HIS OWN MERIT. 

In short, Lee Kuan Yew refused to hand it over on a silver platter. Lee Hsien Loong had to work as hard as possible if he was to be prime minister - which he is today. Lee Hsien Loong had to learn a lot under Goh Chok Tong's leadership. Lee Hsien Loong had to be a Member of the Parliament for many years. Lee Hsien Loong proved himself as a finance minister between 2001 and 2007. Lee Hsien Loong occupied office with a first TERM from 2004-2006, second TERM from 2006-2011, a third term from 2011-2016, and he's currently in his FOURTH TERM. Before that, he was working as a minister of trade. 

With Lee Hsien Loong's performance - we can see that political dynasties need not be a problem. If the family members can serve well then why not? 

It wouldn't matter anyway if family members ride in when...

I remembered when outgoing Vice President Leni Loud Robredo said, "Only one can be active in politics." This is a totally flawed picture. We need to take a look at her three daughters who are all girls. I've been reading about their achievements such as how Tricia G. Robredo is now a DOCTOR. The other two also have their achievements. It would be stupid if only one of the daughters (assuming they're all qualified) will run for politics IF Leni Loud should ever quit. It would be a dumb idea one way or another. It would be better if all three daughters are qualified - why not LET THEM BE ACTIVE? If Tricia can prove herself to be a good health minister, if Aika Robredo can be a good public administrator, and if Jillian Robredo can be a good economics minister then WHY NOT? I don't mind if the three daughters jump in IF they've proven themselves. 

While I personally don't like that Bobong Marcos may become the new president - let's keep his son Sandro Marcos away. I'm judging Bobong not based on his despotic father but based on HIS ACTIONS. What's his platform anyway? Honestly, we should be in a parliamentary system right now so Leni Loud can #LetLeniLead the Opposition with Kikoman Pangilinan as the deputy opposition leader. Bobong didn't get a college degree BUT Sandro has a Masters in Economics which he might serve as a future minister of economics in parliament. Hmmm it would be interesting if Jillian and Sandro both faced off against each other in parliament over economic policies. Jillian is from New York University while Sandro is from the Londo School of Economics. In short, any good Marcos can enter politics while the bad ones can be yanked out. If Bobong proves to be an idiot of a prime minister - the Kulay Rosas Opposition can raise a vote of no confidence. Leni Loud's battle won't end in elections but continue in legislation with her army of Kulay Rosas Ministers. 

It's because the political dynasties in a parliament will depend on MERITS over NEPOTISM. In fact, political dynasties will lessen when that happens in contrast to voting for a politician's widow or a dead politician's sibling. That means Leni Loud's daughters can all be Members of the Parliament IF they prove themselves. The Marcos grandchildren will have to prove themselves. Sandro can still be a minister of economics even if his father Bobong got voted out of the Philippine Parliament for incompetence. What becomes important is not family relations but performance. So, it wouldn't matter if the Aquinos, the Dutertes, the Marcoses, the Arroyos, the Osmenas, the Ramas, etc. will have family members IF they've all proven themselves worthy of being Members of the Philippine Parliament.