JV Ejercito backs proposed law vs. political dynasty

Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito on Friday said he would support the passage of a measure that would ban political dynasties, even if he admitted that he benefited politically from such. 

According to Ejercito, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson is already scheduling the hearing for the anti-political dynasty bills filed at the Senate, and many of their colleagues have expressed interest in attending. 

“I myself am supporting it. I also filed the bill on anti-political dynasty kahit na (even though) admittedly, I’m part of a political family or dynasty, and even benefited politically,” he said in a Zoom interview. 

“But you know, sabi ko nga (as I’ve said, there are), 112 million or more na ang Filipinos ngayon (now). There are a lot of Filipinos who are willing to serve, gustong maglingkod (who want to serve), but just don’t have the means, the name recall, the machinery, or the funds to get themselves elected. So hopefully, with anti-political dynasty, we give chance to others,” he added.

Ejercito’s half-brother, Jinggoy Estrada, is also an incumbent senator, and their father Joseph Estrada is a former president of the country. 

But for Ejercito, no one has the right to monopolize political power and the economy. 

“We have to give a chance to others as well. 112 million tayo, so hindi naman pwedeng may iilan lang ang may monopoly na maglingkod sa ating bayan,” he said. 

(There are 112 million Filipinos, so there shouldn’t only be a few having the monopoly to serve the country.) 

Malacañang earlier announced that President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has met with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to discuss the possible provisions of the proposed Anti-Dynasty law, which is a priority measure of the Marcos administration.

Marcos earlier urged Congress to prioritize the passage of the Anti-Dynasty Bill.

Several measures have been filed both in the Senate and the House of Representatives seeking to implement the 1987 Constitution’s provision mandating the prohibition of political dynasties.

Ejercito, however, admitted that passing the bill would be a “big challenge” for the lawmakers in both chambers. 

“Mahirap talaga ito in reality. Kasi even in the House, 70 or 80 percent are members of political dynasties. Galing din po tayo doon, and even in the Senate. So this will be a big challenge, but this will really institute change,” he explained. 

(This is really difficult in reality. Because even in the House, about 70 or 80 percent of the members came from political dynasties. We also came there, and even here in the Senate. So this will be a big challenge, but this will really institute change.) 

“This will be a game changer if ever this will be passed,” he added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News