Senators push for law vs. political dynasties

At least three senators have filed bills for the incoming 20th Congress seeking to prohibit political dynasties in the Philippines.  

Senators Robin Padilla and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson included in their respective top 10 bills the proposed measures on anti-political dynasty. 

Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan filed the same as listed in his second set of priority legislative measures for the upcoming Congress. 

Pangilinan said that the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which aims to provide equal access to opportunities for public office and public service to any qualified Filipino, is a “long time coming.” 

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro earlier said that President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. will study the refiled bills in Congress, including the proposed measures on anti-political dynasty. 

An anti-political dynasty bill was also recently refiled at the House of Representatives by the Makabayan bloc.

Under House Bill 209 filed by ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Representative, a political dynasty is defined as a family or clan that concentrates, consolidates, or perpetuates their political power by holding public office simultaneously or successively.

The bill states that no person shall hold or run for any elective national or local office simultaneously with another within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood.

It adds that no person within the prohibited civil degree of relationship to an incumbent elected official shall immediately succeed to the position of the latter.—AOL, GMA Integrated News