can macports be less strict with aux packages download?

[islaind via macports-users]

can macports be less strict with aux packages download?
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(on osx 10.8.5, port version 2.4.2)
In installing xpdf 'port' decides to install perl 5.24 (I have already 
installed perl 5.22)
then requires to install OpenMotif which in turn prompts me to install 
the following:

perl5.16 @5.16.3
perl5.22 @5.22.2
ruby23 @2.3.4

Can port be told to be less strict with large packages like perl, ruby 
and, the horror of all, the several pythons?

bw

bliako