With anti-dynasty bills discussed in Congress
TACLOBAN CITY — As Congress debates proposals to restrict political dynasties, Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina said he does not oppose the passage of anti-dynasty legislation but cautioned against equating family-based politics with ineffective governance or abuse of power.
Espina said elected officials, including members of political families, would have no choice but to comply should Congress pass laws enforcing the constitutional ban on political dynasties. He added, however, that such measures could also limit voters’ options at the local level.
“That is up to them since they are the ones making the laws, and we will just follow. Of course, the choices of the people will be reduced,” Espina said in an interview on Wednesday, Jan. 28, during his visit to Balay Biliranon, a halfway house for Biliran residents with relatives confined at the Eastern Visayas Medical Center (EVMC) in Tacloban City.
The governor made the remarks amid renewed discussions in the House of Representatives on anti-dynasty bills aimed at operationalizing the Constitution’s prohibition against political dynasties. Among the measures under deliberation are bills authored by Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, which seek to limit the simultaneous or successive holding of elective posts by members of the same family.
While expressing openness to reforms, Espina argued that political longevity does not necessarily indicate abuse of power, noting that sustained mandates can also reflect public trust and continuity in public service.
The Espina family has been a dominant force in Biliran politics since 1995, when the province gained its own congressional representation. Since then, Biliran—Eastern Visayas’ smallest province with a population of over 180,000—has remained under uninterrupted Espina leadership in key provincial and municipal posts.
At present, several members of the family hold elective positions. Espina’s twin brother, Rodolfo Espina, is mayor of Kawayan, while his daughter, Gretchen Espina, serves as mayor of Naval, the provincial capital. The province’s lone congressional district is represented by Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina, while another family member, Roselyn Espina-Paras, holds the post of vice governor. Rodolfo Espina’s son currently serves as vice mayor of Kawayan.
Espina attributed the family’s continued electoral success to what he described as measurable gains in local governance and economic development.
“In Biliran, and not to boast, the province used to be fourth class, and now it is second class. Naval used to be second class and is now first class. Kawayan was fifth class before and is now fourth class. What does that mean?” he said.
He also cited Biliran’s recognition as a Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) awardee from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), one of the highest distinctions given to local government units for performance in areas such as financial management, disaster preparedness, peace and order, and social protection.
In addition, Espina pointed to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showing that Biliran’s poverty incidence among families stood at 8.5 percent last year, significantly lower than the national average of 19.9 percent.
Addressing criticisms commonly leveled against political dynasties, Espina rejected claims that their family maintains power through intimidation or patronage politics.
“We do not have goons, gold, or guns,” he said.
JOEY A. GABIETA
