New election season, same old story?

MANILA, Philippines – Candidates start to file their certificates of candidacy Monday, the kickoff to the 2013 campaign season.

Opposition coalition UNA was among the early birds at the Commission on Elections.

Ayee Macaraig tells us, the saying holds true once again for Philippine politics: there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.

JUANA CHANGE

The more you think things change, the more they stay the same.

A theatrical skit is not an odd sight at the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2013 polls Monday.

Activist Mae Paner again channels her Juana Change character with the rest of the so-called “Change Clan” to protest the ills of Philippine politics. 

With candidates’ bands, banners, and hoopla, Juana Change fits right into the political theater.

But her message is different. 

MAE PANER

ARTIST/ACTIVIST

We want an end to patronage politics. In this country, dynasties rule the Philippines, it’s the same families over and over again. They’re very corrupt.

Vice President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance sets the tone with the fanfare as its senatorial bets submit their election documents on day one. 

UNA is positioning itself as an alternative to the administration but accusations of patronage politics also hound the alliance.

Senatorial candidates JV Ejercito and Jack Enrile are political sons who will end up joining their relatives in the Senate if they win. 

They say they should be judged beyond their fathers’ names. 

REP JV EJERCITO

UNA SENATORIAL BET

I don’t think it’s proper to put down the Filipino voters because they are smart, matalino, marunong ang ating mga botante at ‘wag maliitin na ‘di nila alam sino ang pinipili nila and people will vote now based on track record, performance, not just because of the name.

Aside from families, there are also strange bedfellows in the ticket.

Former Senator Richard Gordon and Zambales Representative Mitos Magsaysay come from families who are bitter rivals on the local level.

But Gordon downplays the issue by comparing their relationship to a sports rivalry.

RICHARD GORDON

UNA SENATORIAL BET

Kami ng Ateneo, La Salle, UP. Ako, Ateneo ako, pag matapos ang game, magkakaibigan kami.

Gordon was also at odds with another UNA figure, the group’s chairman, former President Joseph Estrada.

The two clashed on the US bases issue, with Estrada eventually firing Gordon.

Now, all is well between the two.

And besides, Estrada says the ruling Liberal Party is also guilty of sleeping with the enemy. 

JOSEPH ESTRADA

UNA CHAIRMAN

Diba sila Nacionalista at Liberal, magkakalaban iyon lalo na nung last eleksyon, bakit sila magkakasama? Hahaha. Kami di nagkakalaban ni VP Binay, Senate President Enrile. We’re always together.

Now that the election season goes into full swing, groups like those behind the Anti-Epal Campaign hope to see the candidates go beyond the traditional pomp, pageantry and politics.  

Rivals turned allies and families in power are nothing new to Philippine politics.

In the 2013 elections, the same old story begins but advocacy groups and candidates say it will be up to the voters to choose the ending.

Ayee Macaraig, Rappler. – Rappler.com