MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Virgilio Reyes Garcia may not be a household name even in his area — the second legislative district of Quezon City — but he vows to do something drastic if elected to Congress in the 2025 midterm elections:
Defining political dynasty
In an interview after he filed his certificate of candidacy on Thursday, Garcia lamented that while the 1987 Constitution barred political dynasties, it left a provision — the phrase “as may be defined by law” — which opened a gateway for relatives to rule in different elective posts.
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“When elected, number one, gusto kong mangyari, ‘yong hindi nangyari noong 32 or 38 years, it was a long time ago when our Congress sitting as a constituent assembly amended the Constitution on political dynasty,” Garcia told reporters.
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“Pero binitin nila kasi they did not define what political dynasty is. Pu-push natin ‘yong definition ng political dynasty so that we will be able to do this.”
(When elected, number one, what I want to happen is what did not happen in the past 32 or 38 years, it was a long time ago, when our Congress sitting as a constituent assembly amended the Constitution on political dynasties. But they stopped short of defining what a political dynasty is. We will push for the definition of political dynasty so that we will be able to do this.)
“Kasi sabi ng Constitution, bawal ‘yong political dynasty as may be defined by law. So ang aking gagawin, number one, I will push for the definition of political dynasty para ‘yong pagbabawal ay maipatupad, malabanan natin ang corruption, matulungan natin ma-alleviate ‘yong poverty because of this, tapos good governance,” he added.
(Because the Constitution says political dynasties are not allowed, as may be defined by law. So what I will do, number one, I will push for the definition of political dynasty so that we can implement this, fight corruption, and help alleviate poverty because of this, then good governance.)
According to Garcia, it seems that administrations have been hell-bent on ridding the country of corruption, without realizing that dynasties contribute a lot to the problem.
“Actually we have several ills in our government now, but we are fixated on corruption. Corruption, corruption, corruption, but what can you do? It seems to be ingrained in us. But when you want to fight corruption, you have to fight it from the roots, and one of them is because of the election, I believe that our problem now, political dynasties, which is about 80 percent of our government officials,” he said.
“(At least) 80 percent of that, political dynasty ‘yan. If you have dynasties, the people are poor,” he added.
Uphill battle
Garcia is seeking a House seat in the second district of Quezon City, which is currently occupied by Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo.
The Tulfos are a new and growing clan in politics. Rep. Tulfo is the son of Senator Raffy Tulfo and ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Jocelyn Tulfo, and the nephew of ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo.
Rep. Erwin is seeking a Senate seat in the 2025 midterm elections, along with his brother, broadcaster Ben Tulfo.
Garcia said he knows the odds are stacked against him.
“Oh that’s true, I know that from the start, my opponents were very strong, very popular,” Garcia said when asked about his opponents.
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“But I presented myself as an alternative. Second, when I ran again, a more popular candidate, a well-moneyed bet ran, I said ‘I’ll still offer myself as an alternative candidate’,” he said.
“If you want a true representative at Congress, if you want someone who will help you, who knows the law because I am a lawyer, then I am here offering my services to you,” he added.
Aside from the Tulfos, two other House aspirants for the second district of Quezon City have filed their certificates of candidacy — Francisco Palma, who said that he is a retired Second Lieutenant at the Philippine Air Force, and a certain Roel Bernido.