THE term “nepo baby” first gained popularity when an American magazine coined the term to refer to Hollywood celebrities who inherited their parents’ acting legacy to kick off their respective careers.
Nepo babies are not only abundant — they’re thriving. How could two little words cause so much conflict? Writes @kn8 in our (over)analysis of the phenomenon: "We love them, we hate them, we disrespect them, we’re obsessed with them." https://t.co/WA22qhdS29 pic.twitter.com/nmWXlrIMNS
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) December 19, 2022
But nepo babies are not just found in the acting scene but in politics as well.
Nepotism and political dynasties are still resounding issues in politics. There are quite a lot of politicians serving in public office, especially in the present 19th Congress, whose parents have also served in government posts.
Sen. Imee Marcos
Being the late dictator’s daughter made it easy for Sen, Imee Marcos to enter politics in 1998 as Ilocos Norte’s representative. She later became the province’s governor in 2010 before winning a seat in the Senate in 2019.
Even before these major government posts, Marcos’ political career started during the regime of her father, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. She served as a member of the Batasang Pambansa and Chairperson of the Kabataang Barangay.
Sen. Nancy Binay
The Binay lineage is a renowned name not just in Makati City but in the national government as well. Nancy’s father, Jejomar Binay, served as the 15th Vice President of the Philippines under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III, which was from 2010 to 2016.
Nancy Binay assumed her Senatel post in 2013 and has made significant contributions in the passage of laws, such as the measures to expand the benefits and privileges for persons with disabilities or Republic Act 10754. She also co-authored the Expanded Maternity Leave Law of 2017 or Republic Act 11210.
Senators Alan Peter and Pia Cayetano
The Cayetano siblings are children of former Senator and journalist Rene Cayetano who served from 1998 to 2003.
The older Cayetano sibling, Pia, has been part of the Senate since 2004 and has pushed for several laws including the Magna Carta of Women, Expanded Breastfeeding Act, Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Law, and the Reproductive Health Act.
Meanwhile, Alan Peter previously served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2019. He was also the Senate Minority Leader from 2010 to 2013, and became the Senate Majority Leader from 2013 to 2016.
He was responsible for the passing of laws such as the Iskolar ng Bayan Act of 2014, Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and Student-Athletes Protection Act, to list a few.
Senators JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada
JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada are both children of former P{resident Joseph Ejercito Estrada who was overthrown during the EDSA People Power II.
Jinggoy was previously detained due to his alleged involvement in the pork barrel scam, along with two other political figures Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. and former senator Juan Ponce Enrile. He was released on bail in 2017 and won a Senate seat in 2022.
JV served as San Juan City mayor from 2001 to 2010 and the city’s representative in 2010 to 2013. He later assumed a post in the Senate in 2013 to 2019 and was re-elected in 2022.
Sen. Mark Villar
Former Public Works Secretary Mark Villar is the son of two prominent political figures. Senator Cynthia Villar and former Senate President Manny Villar who ran in the 2010 presidential election.
Mark also served as the COVID-19 pandemic isolation czar from 2020 to 2021 before he became a Senator in 2022.
Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III
Serving as the Senate Minority Leader since 2022, Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is also a nepo baby as he is one of the children of former Senate President and staunch critic of the Marcos dictatorship Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr.
He became a senator in 2011 and has authored several bills. His recent bills seek to suspend the imposition of value added tax and excise taxes on fuel, and to provide a micronfinancing program for microenterprises.
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