By Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

ANALYSTS cited different factors which led to the fall of some dynasties in parts of the National Capital Region during the recent election.

Ateneo Policy Center research fellow Michael Henry LI. Yusingco said the victories of the so-called “dynasty-slayers” in three cities in Metro Manila- San Juan City, Pasig City, and City of Manila – were rooted from different circumstances.

“Vico Sotto was able to differentiate himself from the dynasty….Number one, he really goes down to the street level during his campaign. Tapos nakikihalubilo siya sa mga tao (Then he also mingles with the people there). Yung slogan niya really worked, ‘Iba Naman’ (His slogan really worked, S’omeone Differerent’)” said Mr. Yusingco.

Pasig City had its new presumptive mayor in city councilor Vico Sotto, nephew of Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, who won by 206,226 votes against the 119,726 votes of incumbent Mayor Robert Eusebio, whose family ruled the city for 27 years.

For, Mr. Yusingco the victories of Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso in Manila and Francis Zamora in San Juan can be attributed to the weakening of the Estrada-Ejercito “name” in politics.

“Isko Moreno’s story is different. Because Isko Moreno is already well-known, even though he is not a dynastic politician, he is a veteran politician, for a while artista pa (even a celebrity). What made him successful, without belittling him, a big factor of his victory is the weakness of the Estrada dynasty. Humina kasi yung pangalan na Estrada (The name Estrada began to fade in appeal). For many reasons, particularly yung nangyari kay Jinggoy (with what happened to Jinggoy), he is still accused in a plunder case….So therefore, ang consequence nun ay si Isko Moreno umangat (Isko Moreno stood out)….Manila voters saw something positive,” Mr. Yusingco said.

He added: “In San Juan, yung Estrada brand dun medyo humina na rin (The Estrada brand also weakened a bit in San Juan). We also have to consider na yung nakatalo sa kanila (the opponents who beat them are) also a string dynasty in San Juan….San Juan is also a unique story because it’s a battle of long-established dynasties. Nagkataon lang (It just happened) na one of the dynasties there has grown weak, has lost its luster. Therefore ang consequence dun is the other dynasty will take advantage of that.”

A former vice-mayor and basketball player, Mr. Zamora’s mayoral candidacy served to end the Estrada family’s decades-long dominance in San Juan City with 35,060 votes as against the 24,813 votes of Janella Estrada, the daughter of former senator Jinggoy E. Estrada, who was seeking a fresh term in the Senate.

Three members of the Ejercito-Estrada family have led the city in the past. Former president Joseph E. Estrada ruled San Juan mayor from 1969 to 1986, while his son and reelectionist Senator JV Ejercito held the position for three consecutive terms from 2001 to 2010. He was succeeded by his mother Guia G. Gomez.

Mr. Zamora ran under the ruling PDP-Laban. His father Ronaldo won the congressional seat of the lone district of San Juan.

Just like his granddaughter, the elder Mr. Estrada failed in his reelection bid in Manila to that city’s vice-mayor, Mr. Domagoso, who took the lead in the mayoral race with 354,327 votes over Mr. Estrada’s 210,407 votes.

Also sought for comment, University of Santo Tomas political science professor Marlon M. Villarin said, “Most of the Filipino voters nowadays are not only dependent on name recall but they are now more critical on what a family can do to them… It’s more on how your name is actually capable of providing practical solution to their very complex problem. So maganda dito yung tinatawag natin na political awakening moment ng mga electorate especially (in) those areas na may democratic access to information.(What’s good here is we have what we call a political awakening moment among the electorate especially in areas with democratic access to information).”

“Yes, they (the electorate) want change. They were given opportunity for change to happen, “ said University of the Philippines-Diliman law professor Antonio M. La Viña said when sought for comment.

Mr. La Viña said the new local leaders should know how to work together with the people in city hall: “They have to govern smart. They need to have a good team. Their team ay hindi dapat makipagaway sa mga nandun (They should not fight with anyone there). Their team should not be against everyone else, they should integrate and put the teams together.”

Mr. Yusingco said, “When we talk about long entrenched dynasties, that means city hall itself is full of allies and relatives sometimes of these dynasties. So when a new leader comes in, his first challenge is to reorganize the city hall o yung munisipyo (or the municipality)….The new leader must identify yung mga (all) non-performing employees and get rid of them…..(I)dentifying…who to retain and who to dismiss…is the first practical challenge.”

Asked abut expectations by the public regarding the new leaders, Mr. Villarin said,

“It’s challenging because, (how will) new blood, young blood… be able to test the challenge of the traditional political environment when they assume power….(A)nd when you speak of public expectation, you are referring to what kind of political leadership will you be employing?”

Sought for a comment regarding the continued hold of other political families in their bailiwicks, Mr. Yusingco said: “The Binays in Makati, naging swerte sila kasi (they were lucky) when they got into power. Makati was seen as the center of business. So they inherited something good. In fairness to them, they did not diminish the luster of Makati. So (the) issues against them do…not necessarily involve Makati. The residents of Makati are understandable why they will be satisfied with the Binay dynasty.”

He added, “On the other hand, the Cayetanos inherited a city like Taguig which is becoming like Makati….The Cayetanos, what they are trying to do is to overwhelm the politics in Taguig.”

Mr. Villarin said in part, “Number one factor is the uncompetitive candidacy. (It’s as if) it boils down to the quality of alternative candidates….”

Mr. La Viña said political dynasties cannot last long. “They have consolidated resources. But it is a warning to them that there is always an end to a dynasty. So you do not make politics your family business. You will get bankrupt whether you like it or not.”

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