In the Philippines swapping isn't just for pleasure. It is a way of doing politics. Families and friends team up to grab as much power as they can. In one election cycle they run for certain posts then when their term limits are up they switch positions.
Here are two examples.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1235058 |
The Nava couple led the slate of the National Unity Party (NUP) in Guimaras in filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections on Tuesday.
Governor JC Rahman Nava will run for representative of the Lone District of Guimaras, swapping posts with his wife, Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava, who will seek a gubernatorial post.
In a press conference, Governor Nava said their candidates came from various parties but with the alliances at the national level, they decided to run under the NUP.
He added that their governance will be guided by their “Kabataan” FIRST agenda, which is focused on the youth.
FIRST stands for focused trade and investments, tourism and employment; integrated infrastructure development; responsive healthcare and social services; sustainable economy; and trusted bureaucracy.
“When I am in Congress, we can work hand-in-hand again to realize these initiatives,” he added.
In the meantime, Rep. Nava said they will only have one direction toward the developmental goals they have set before.
“Everything is aligned, coordinated, supported and with the consensus of all officials,” she said.
JC Rahman Nava was a governor between 1998-2007 and a member of the House between 2007-2016. He was elected to his current governorship in 2022. His brother Felipe held the same position between 2007-2013. His wife Lucille followed him to the House in 2016 and has been there ever since.
Now that her term is ending the couple will swap positions. Apparently JC Rahman wants back in the House where he will have more power and earn more money. He says there is a consensus among all officials and that this arrangement will assist with the developmental goals they have set. Who are these officials? Does this mean there is no opposition to either of these candidates? In effect this is a conspiracy for the Nava family to remain in power in Guimaras. Sure there are platitudes about development but we all know how that goes. There is hardly any change in the day-to-day life of the average Filipino while families like the Nava's rake in the big bucks.
Bacolod City is also being subject to the swapping whims of local politicians.
 |
| https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1235059 |
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez and Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya here switched posts, running for congressman and mayor, respectively, under Team Asenso Bacolod in the May 2025 elections.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran is challenging Gasataya for the mayoral post as both are set to finish their three terms after the elections next year.
“I thank Mayor Albee and the Team Asenso for the trust they have given me. It’s not that Mayor Albee is going to leave us; it’s only that when you’re in a team, you have to play different roles with one common objective. That is, do everything that we can to make Bacolod a super city,” Gasataya said during a press conference at SMX Convention Center after filing their certificates of candidacy before the Commission on Elections on Tuesday.
Benitez’s move is expected to pave the way for his return to the House of Representatives after serving as congressman of the neighboring Third District of Negros Occidental from 2010 to 2019.
“At this stage, I will make sure that all the legislations and congressional acts that I’ll be doing are aligned with ensuring the acceleration of the mission to make Bacolod a super city,” Benitez said.
Benitez will have a rematch against former mayor Evelio Leonardia, who is also running for congressman, after losing his reelection bid to the incumbent mayor in the 2022 elections.
Greg Gasataya began his political career in 2001 as a councilor. In 2013 he was elected as Vice Mayor and served as acting Mayor between 2015-2016. Since then he has been a member of the House. Now that Gasataya's term is ending he is running for Mayor while his party mate, the current mayor, is running for Gasataya's seat in the House.
Benitez began his political career in 2010 winning a seat in the House for the fourth district of Negros Occidental. His term ended in 2019. After changing his address from Victorias to Bacolod in 2021 he ran for Mayor of Bacolod in 2022. He is also an American having been born in Palo Alto, California.
Benetiz's son Javi is currently mayor of Victorias and is also in the running for a seat in the House. His mother had some illuminating words.
Third District Congressional Bet Javier Miguel "Javi" Benitez was accompanied by his mother Nikki Lopez-Benitez with all the mayors under the district showed their support for him and trooped to the Comelec Provincial Office.
"We will continue the Benitez's legacy. I will quote the late President Ramon Magsaysay, those who have less in life should have more in law, and that's what we'll push for in the legislative position.
What's all this "We" stuff? She's not running for office. She won't be pushing for any legislation. But the fact is when one member of the family is in office all members of the family are in office. The family legacy is of the utmost importance to these people.
So you see all the political merry-go-round happening just in these two situations. House members can only serve three consecutive three-year terms while Senators can only hold two six-year terms. After sitting out a term they are free to run again. These term limits are what enable the constant switching in the Philippine government. It's the same old faces coming back around again. It's the same old Philippines subject to their whims.
No comments:
Post a Comment