Family members in Senate set dangerous precedent, warns Tatad

A former legislator cautioned yesterday against having two members of a family in the Senate, saying that such a situation might set a dangerous precedent that could destroy the institution.

In the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo Hotel forum, Francisco Tatad criticized the United Opposition’s plan to include in its senatorial slate aspirants who already have a member of their family in the Senate.

"I don’t see any justification for the exclusive club of the Senate to have two members coming from the same family at the same time," Tatad said.

He noted that "out of the 18 million families in the country, only 24 may have one member each, one at the same time."

Recent reports revealed that the United Opposition is eyeing to enlist San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, lawyer Aquilino Pimentel III, and House Deputy Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano in its senatorial line-up.

If Ejercito wins, he would join his half-brother Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in the Senate; Pimentel, his father, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr.; and Cayetano, his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano.

Tatad said the case of former First Lady Loi Estrada and her son, Jinggoy, was an "extraordinary" and "unique" situation that was "justifiable."

But since the woman lawmaker no longer showed interest in another term, Tatad believes that the "abnormal situation" will "be cured."

However, Tatad said that if Ejercito wins in the upcoming mid-term elections and becomes a senator to join his half-brother, it would only be "perpetuating an error."

He said the Estradas’ victory at the time was taken as proof that former President Joseph Estrada still had the trust of majority of Filipinos.

"As we all know, President Estrada was removed under questionable circumstances. He wanted to show that he still had political clout," Tatad said. "We are able to defend that extraordinary situation but that should not serve as a model."