Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño yesterday criticized the reported entry of presidential sister Kris Aquino and cousin Bam Aquino into politics, saying the move of the relatives of President  Aquino betrays their intention to establish a political dynasty which the President himself had been opposing when he was still a legislator.
Casiño said Bam’s decision to run for senator “confirms our view that the senatorial elections will be a contest among old names in politics.”
“Nothing has changed. That’s why there is need to bring in voices of new constituencies in the Senate and encourage candidates who may not have the same political pedigree as Bam but who are equally qualified and competent to be senators,” Casiño said.
Casiño has been vocal on his intention to run for senator, either as a guest candidate on the slate of the Nacionalista Party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) or  run as an independent on his own vehicle, the Makabayan Coalition.
Militant youth group Anakbayan also chastised the reports of Kris and Bam foraying into politics, saying the 2013 senatorial election is turning out to be one big “Philippine Trapo Olympics” with big political clans and families dominating the list of candidates, adding it only reflects “kakampi-kaklase-kabarilan-driven,” traditional, dynastic politics prevailing under the Aquino administration.
“Besides, one ‘noynoying’ (lazy) Aquino in government is already too much for the people to bear. A bigger cause of worry is what seems to be a plan of the Aquino-Cojuangco clan to further dominate different branches of government to regain control of Luisita and protect family interests,” Anakbayan national chairman Vencer Crisostomo said.
“We need new candidates with clear reform platforms and advocacies. Heck, we currently don’t even have a real opposition party. The youth and people are tired of the disgusting kamaganak-driven traditional politics,” Crisostomo added.