Vico Sotto backs passage of anti-political dynasty law

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Monday renewed calls for the passage of an anti-political dynasty law, stressing that political power should not be concentrated in the hands of a few elites.

Sotto made the statement as the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation opened its consultative meetings on proposed anti-political dynasty bills, starting in Barangay Caniogan, Pasig City.

“Para sa akin, hindi ito tungkol sa kahit sinong indibidwal o espesipikong pamilya. Hindi ito laban sa isang pamilya, indibidwal, o politiko. Ang tinututulan natin ay ang konsentrasyon ng kapangyarihan sa kamay ng iilan,” the mayor said.

(For me, this is not about any individual or specific family. This is not against a family, an individual, or a politician. What we oppose is the concentration of power in the hands of a few.)

Sotto added that what should be resisted is the use of public resources to entrench political power.

“Ang tinututulan natin dito ay ang paggamit ng resources ng taumbayan—the use of state resources, the use of taxpayers’ money—to perpetuate themselves in power. Ginagamit ang makinarya ng pamahalaan at pera ng taumbayan para manatili sa puwesto,” he said.

(What we oppose is the use of state resources and taxpayers’ money to perpetuate political power. Government machinery and public funds are used so officials can remain in office.)

Aside from Mayor Sotto, two other members of the Sotto family currently hold key elective posts: Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and his son, Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto.

Vico Sotto, now serving his third term as Pasig City mayor, is a nephew of the Senate President.

The mayor also pointed out that the Constitution guarantees equal access to opportunities for public service—an obligation he said Congress has “slept on for the past 40 years.”

At least six proposed anti-political dynasty bills are currently pending before the Senate committee.

Following the Pasig City consultation, the panel is set to hold similar public consultations in Laguna, Bacolod, Bulacan, and Cagayan de Oro, among other areas.

Committee chairperson Senator Risa Hontiveros said the proposed measure must be practical and backed not only by lawmakers but also by the public.

“Ang public consultation na ito ay hindi bagong usapin. Ito ay pagpapatuloy ng halos apat na dekada nang pakikibaka—isang laban na mismong Saligang Batas ang nag-utos,” she said.

(This public consultation is not a new issue. It is a continuation of a nearly four-decade-long struggle—one mandated by the Constitution itself.)

Hontiveros added that the damage caused by political dynasties is well-documented.

“Kung saan may konsentrasyon ng kapangyarihan sa iilang pamilya, naroon din ang korapsyon, kahirapan, at kakulangan ng pananagutan. Sa halip na serbisyo-publiko, personal na interes ang nagiging sentro,” she said.

(Where power is concentrated in a few families, corruption, poverty, and lack of accountability follow. Instead of public service, personal interest often becomes the focus.)

Earlier, Malacañang said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. discussed possible provisions of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, noting that the measure is among the administration’s priority bills.

The President has also urged Congress to prioritize its passage.

Several measures have been filed in both the Senate and the House of Representatives seeking to implement the 1987 Constitution’s provision prohibiting political dynasties. —MCG, GMA Integrated News