Bojie Dy, Sandro Marcos file bill to combat political dynasties

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos on Thursday filed an Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, which bans relatives of incumbent public officials from holding the same level of an elective position at the same time.

Dy, a congressman from Isabela, and Sandro, a representative from Ilocos Norte, filed House Bill No. 6771, which seeks to disqualify spouses, siblings, and relatives within the fourth civil degree of affinity or consanguinity of a duly elected public officer from simultaneously holding identified elective public positions in any of the following ways:

• if a person is an incumbent or a candidate for any elective national position, the spouse, and the above relatives are prohibited to simultaneously hold any elective national position;
• if a person is an incumbent or candidate for the position of member of the House of Representatives, the spouse, and the above relatives are prohibited from simultaneously holding the same position within the same legislative district;
• if a person is an incumbent or a candidate for any elective provincial position, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited from simultaneously holding any elective position in the same provincial government;
• if a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective city or municipal office, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited from simultaneously holding any elective position in the same city or municipal government; and
• if a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective barangay office, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited from simultaneously holding any position in the same barangay.

Article 2, Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that “the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

There is no law prohibiting political dynasties.

Dy and Sandro, in their explanatory note, said it was about time to give teeth to the constitutional provision against political dynasties.

“Despite this constitutional mandate, political dynasties have remained a pervasive feature of Philippine politics due to the absence of an enabling law that defines and prohibits them," the bill's authors said.

"Under this proposed measure, spouses, siblings, and relatives within the fourth civil degree of affinity or consanguinity of a duly elected public officer are disqualified from simultaneously holding identified elective public positions,” they added.

“This bill is a faithful execution of the above constitutional provision, a strategic reform for good governance, and an assertion of the principle that public office is a public trust," they said .

"It aims to uphold the integrity, competitiveness, and inclusivity of democratic institutions by ensuring that public office is earned through meritocracy and public confidence,” they added.

Likewise, the authors said their proposal reinforces the country's alignment with international democratic standards, bolsters compliance with human rights and anti-corruption commitments, and advances equitable political participation.

“In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought,” they said.

Dy’s son Inno, is the mayor of Echague, Isabela, while his nephews Ian and Mike also currently serve as the representatives of Isabela's 3rd and 5th Districts, respectively, among other relatives in public office.

Sandro, on the other hand, is the son of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr., who earlier called for the prioritization of the passage of an anti-political dynasty measure.

Marcos’ aunt Imee is also a senator, while his cousin Matthew Marcos Manotoc is the vice governor of Ilocos Norte. –NB, GMA Integrated News