Makabayan bloc to Marcos: Pave way for anti-political dynasty law

Members of the Makabayan Coalition in the House of Representatives on Tuesday challenged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to pave the way for the enactment of a law against political dynasties.

“'Yung political dynasty, anti-political dynasty, gusto natin 'yan. Sa Makabayan, 'yan talaga ang gusto nating mangyari, magkaroon talaga ng batas. In fact, hinahamon natin ang Presidente ngayon na talagang ipasa, magpasa ng ganitong batas na kinakailangan ng ating mamamayan,” Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas said.

“Unethical talaga na may concentration of power sa iilang pamilya lamang, may concentration of wealth sa iilang pamilya lamang over the years. So may problema talaga tayo doon at kailangan i-resolve ito,” she added.

At least two bills against political dynasty were filed during the current 19th Congress.

House Bill 1157 authored by Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel Manuel prohibits the candidacy of the spouse or anyone “related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election.”

The bill also states that in case the incumbent elective official holds a national position, his or her relatives “shall be disqualified from running only within the same province where the former is a registered voter.”

The bill also prohibits relatives within the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, as well as their spouses, from running in the same province in the same election.

The bill also prohibits a relative of the incumbent within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from succeeding the incumbent.

“Long overdue na task ng Kongreso na isabatas 'yan. Ngayong 19th Congress, nag-file tayo ng Anti Political Dynasty Bill precisely para sa purpose na 'yan. Pero syempre, dahil sa pag-dominate ng mga political dynasty sa legislative branch natin, kaya hindi talaga 'yan sumusulong,” Manuel said.

In July 2014, Senator Robin Padilla filed Senate Bill 2730 seeking to provide an enabling law that would implement the 1987 Constitution's anti-dynasty provision.

He said calls to "stop the monopoly of political power" remain unyielding and stressed that it is time to "break the barriers preventing the best and the brightest from serving the Filipino people."

Manuel, meanwhile, pointed out that there is already a law banning political dynasties in Sangguniang Kabataan elections which can be used as basis.

“Kung gugustuhin po ng Comelec, pwede nilang gawin eh. 'Yung definition po ng political dynasty na nasa SK Reform Act. Kasi sabi po doon, bawal hanggang second degree 'yung pwedeng maupo sa puwesto. So kapag ganoon, meron nang definition na nasa isang batas din naman,” he added.

Absent any law against political dynasties, Manuel issued this challenge: “So hamon ko po sa mga political dynasties na first degree, show the way. Huwag na po kayong tumuloy sa inyong kandidatura para masimulan na natin talaga. Bago tayo tumungo sa second and third degree, sige, first degree, ngayon po.”

GMA News Online reached out to Malacañang for comment on the matter and will publish it once available.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers supports the passage of an anti-political dynasty bill.

“Yes, ako personally gusto ko 'yan. I-define ano ba ibig sabihin ng political dynasty, ano ba ang limitation surrounding the interest of a certain, say, clan or family in running for public office. Dapat siguro maklaro muna natin 'yan. Bigyan ng definition and once ito ay maging batas, dapat talagang striktong pagpatupad ng mga batas na ito,” Barbers said.

When asked if President Marcos Jr had the political will to enact such a law, Barbers replied, “Sa tingin ko meron. Ito 'yung panawagan at layunin ng bagong Pilipinas.”

On Monday, several groups and individuals, including 1Sambayan, Sanlakas, and members of ADvocates for National Interest, asked the Supreme Court to direct Congress to enact a law against political dynasties.

In a 48-page petition for certiorari and mandamus, the petitioners asked the High Tribunal to hold Congress in contempt should they fail to comply with the SC’s decision within a year after it was granted.

Sought for comment, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said the SC cannot order the Congress to enact a particular law.

"The plenary power of Congress to enact laws cannot be interfered with by the Supreme Court especially if the purpose is to pinpoint a particular subject matter to be enacted into law," Pimentel said.

However, the senator expressed optimism that in time Congress will be able to pass a law defining and banning political dynasty.

"Yes, I am optimistic about this. Dahan dahan naman namumulat ang mga mata ng botante natin na dapat 'inclusive' ang democratic processes natin. Ang aking panawagan ay 'equal opportunities in public service for all," he said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News