Opposition solons urge Marcos to certify anti-dynasty bill as urgent

Following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appeal to Congress to prioritize the passage of an anti-political dynasty law, opposition lawmakers on Tuesday urged Marcos to certify the measure as urgent legislation as soon as possible.

House Deputy Minority Leader and Mamamayang Liberal Party-List Rep. Leila de Lima said she welcomed the pronouncement but admitted her disappointment that the anti-political dynasty and proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) bills were not certified as urgent.

“Kung totoong ipa-prioritize na lang din, bakit hindi pa itodo at totohanin na?” de Lima said.

(If they will really prioritize it, why not go all the way and certify it?)

A bill certified urgent by the President allows Congress to approve it on second and third reading on the same day, rather than waiting for a three-day gap between second and third reading.

Earlier on Tuesday, Malacañang announced that Marcos urged Congress to prioritize the passage of a bill prohibiting political dynasties and the bill creating the IPC.

The President also called on lawmakers to prioritize the approval of the Party-list System Reform Act and the Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, which seeks to institutionalize transparency and accountability in public finance.

Following Marcos’ appeal, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said it would be easier to legislate and pass an anti-dynasty measure once they have defined the parameters of a political dynasty.

Executive Secretary Ralph Recto underscored the need for “broad consultation” among various sectors regarding the measures that Marcos wants Congress to prioritize, including the anti-political dynasty bill and the bill creating the IPC.

Following the Palace’s announcement, House Deputy Minority Leader and Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña urged Marcos to “show his sincerity” by certifying the anti-political dynasty bill as a priority measure.

“Prioritizing is not enough. He should certify these bills as urgent as soon as possible,” Cendaña said.

For her part, House Assistant Minority Leader and Kabataan Rep. Renee Co noted that opposition lawmakers have been long pushing for a bill against political dynasties.

“We cannot be content with this. We have to be relentless in pushing for reforms and accountability,” Co said. — JMA, GMA Integrated News