The atrocious Martial Law record of Marcos was characterized, among other abominable things, by political dynasty rule.

Ever the pseudo-democrat who held the Constitutional textbook on the right hand while pummeling the enemy with an iron-clad left hand, Marcos knew the value of having relatives exercising and sharing power and authority in his personal fiefdom called the Republic of the Philippines. This he did through appointments or sham elections.

Thus her Cleopatric wife Imelda was made the all-powerful Metro Manila Governor who had an almost limitless power - short of selling Manila to Libya's Mohammar Khadaffy.

Marcos knew the capital (Manila) had to be secured by an unabashedly loyal bloodline in Imeldic "Iron Butterfly" Romualdez Marcos.

Daughter Imee Marcos, an outspoken if ill-tempered U.P. student, was made head of the powerful Kabataang Barangay, securing the volatile youth in the palm of his greasy hands. Fidel V. Ramos, a cousin, was head of the Philippine Constabulary for a long time and General "Berdugo" Ver was spoken of as a relative.

The Romualdezes of Imelda's side was given their businesses to control alongside Greggy Araneta (husband of Irene Marcos) and the hedonistic (Imee's term) Bongbong was everywhere.

So the Marcos-Romualdez clan had then secured the Philippine strata with enormous influence - militarily, politically and business-wise.

Philippine history has enough footnotes to tell how this enormous dynasty wrought havoc on the political and economic maturity of this nation. We will not overstate that fact of contemporary Philippine life.

Thus when the EDSA forces exiled Marcos and family in 1986, the revolutionary Cory Constitution of 1987 clearly singled out political dynasty rule as anathema to a new-found democracy.

Yet, through the years, the Philippine Congress who had relatives lining up in a picket style to get appointments, largesse, contracts and jobs - pestered our honorable senators and congressmen, no end. Our greedy legislators, though seeing the democratic wisdom of anti-political dynasty rule of the 1987 Constitution - developed total blindness - and never acted on an enabling law to implement the spirit of the rule.

What they saw was this totally selfish avenue to perpetuate their families in the citadels of power, influence and wealth - to the exclusion of other families. They never had that enabling law passed - and this is now 2007 - twenty years after the 1987 Constitution.

Having your kin take over one's position after a mandatory limit of three terms insure: dark secrets of corruption and violence will be perpetually hidden from public view, the same contractors and suppliers that gave this country the shameful billing as the "most Corrupt nation in Asia" will be maintained and the same system that kept this country partly run by gambling, drug lords, big business and private armies will be kept on status quo.

Nothing can be more obvious than that. The regular excuse used that their dynasty can continue "serving the constituents" without break is an epistle of bullshit and an insult to the 80 million Filipinos - many of who are as educated, dedicated, competent and perhaps more moral than many of them.

Excuse us, that rating by PERC of the Philippines as "most corrupt in Asia" singled out the Government with a rating of 90-100% being the worst. So these crooks - many of them, at least - are part of this ignominious label - while they go to Mass and receive communion, among the faithful on Sundays. Remember we are also the only Catholic nation in the Far East, as well.

The GMA Administration could never make the anti-political dynasty issue against the Opposition like the Binays, Cayetanos and the Pimentels, for instance, because the First Family cannot cast the first stone to Mary Magdalene, so to speak.

Because, aside from having GMA as the longest sitting president and a very visible First Gentleman going around town, the family has Iggy Arroyo (brother of the First Gentleman), Mikey Arroyo (presidential son) and Dato Arroyo (presidential son) running as representatives for Negros Occidental, Pampanga and Camarines Sur respectively, good gracious.

Since Congressmen get a P70-million pork barrel every year, three congressmen can have a total pork barrel of P210-Million every year or P630-Million for a three-year term or about P1.9-Billion in pork for three terms. Just for three congressmen, Holy Fort Knox!

Does that explain best why the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill may not see the light of day in our lifetime?

Let's look at the local politics to prove our point.

All of a sudden, there's a greenhorn by the name of Adam Jala - who replaces his last termer father Rep. Eladio Jala in the 3rd district. For 2nd district Rep. Roberto Cajes, his wife, Judith, is running for mayor of Trinidad town. In Balilihan, the mother of Rep. Edgar Chatto is running for mayor.

In Buenavista, the husband and wife tandem of Leandring and Elsa Tirol are just switching posts as mayor and vice mayor. In some cases, the spouse is running to continue the power held in their place: Carmen, Pedro Budiongan is giving it to his wife Jeen like in Baclayon where Mayor Benny Uy cedes it to his wife, Elena.

In Albur, last termer Efren Tungol, slides down to vice-mayor with his son Ephraim as mayor. The same is true in Guindulman, with Oriculo Granada to vice mayor, giving way to his son Renanti as mayor. Mayors' League president Josephine Jumamoy fielded her son, Jose Jono to take her place as she runs for provincial board member. In Dimiao, Sylvia Adame is back for mayor after her husband, Alejandrino decided not to seek re-election.

So it's the same pattern nationwide. A clear sample of national leadership by example - just being carried out to the letter by followers across the country.

It is a sad day for Philippine politics.