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Roundup: Political dynasties dominate Philippine politics by Alito L. Malinao
MANILA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- If Vice President Jejomar Binay will win in the 2016 presidential elections, he would be the best example of how a political dynasty can control national and local politics in the Philippines.
While Binay would be on the top of the Philippine officialdom as president, one of his daughters is a senator, another is a congresswoman, and a son, his namesake, is mayor of Makati, the country's premier city.
The issue of political dynasties is not new in the Philippines and is not limited to the political opposition led by Binay.
In fact, incumbent President Benigno Aquino III is a third generation member of a well-known political dynasty. He is the son of the late President Corazon Aquino and the martyred Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. His grandfather, the late Benigno Aquino, Sr., was one-time speaker of the House of Representatives.
Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, the presumptive opponent of Binay in the 2016 presidential race, is also a third generation politician from a political clan. His late father, Gerry Roxas, was a senator and his grandfather was the first president of the Philippine Republic.
The list of the current crop of politicians who are members of political dynasties can go on and on.
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