Jun Magsaysay: Political dynasties should not be part of our culture

After filing his certificate of candidacy under the ruling Liberal Party's senatorial slate, Ramon Magsaysay Jr., son of late President Magsaysay, said political dynasties should not be part of our culture. Magsaysay said this amid calls to end nepotism and political dynasties in the country, even as proposed measures against the practice have remained pending in Congress. The 74-year-old senatorial bet was accompanied by his wife Marilou Magsaysay, his son Paco and his sister Milagros as he filed his COC at about 8:30 a.m. Friday at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila. He said his family is not a political dynasty. “’Yung sister ko hindi tatakbo ‘yan kasi nandoon ako. My son, Paco, is not running for any government post. He is busy… taking care of our dairy farm with some friends. Hindi kami mapusok sa politika sapagkat sagrado sa amin 'yan eh,” he said. “Nepotism and dynasties should not be part of our culture,” he added. Asked about his patry-mate Senator Fraklin Drilon's comment that he is the "real Magsiasay" he said, “I would not speculate anymore." He was referring to his in-law Milagros "Mitos" Magsaysay who is running under rival coalition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). During his endorsement of the former senator, Drilon called Magsaysay Jr. the “real Magsaysay”. But Drilon, however, clarified that he did not mean UNA’s Mitos is a "fake Magsaysay." On Mitos' running for Senate, Magsaysay Jr. said, “Buhay nila ‘yan eh... maraming Magsaysay. Hindi naman lahat kami lang ang magaling. (But) I know that I’m the son of my father.” Earlier, Institute for Political and Electoral Reforms executive director Ramon Casiple reiterated his call to end political dynasties in the country. "Ang problema natin, hindi pa napapasa sa Kongreso. Matagal na nating ipinanawagan 'yan," he said. Political families   An earlier report on GMA News Online indicated some familiar names from dominant political families running for the 2013 polls. In the UNA – a coalition between the Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino – those who come from political families are:  

Enrile's and Ejercito’s fathers are stalwarts in UNA. If Ejercito wins, he will serve alongside Jinggoy, while if Enrile is elected to the Senate, he will serve alongside his father. On the Senate slate of the coalition formed by the LP, Nacionalista Party (NP), and Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), the following come from political families:     If Cayetano wins, he will once again serve alongside his sister Pia.   Aside from them, common candidates Sen. Francis Escudero and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board chair Grace Poe Llamanzares also come from political families. — Marc Jayson Cayabyab /LBG, GMA News