Couples running for office, regardless of gender, are covered by Anti-Political Dynasty bill — Hontiveros

Couples who are running for office at the same time, regardless of their gender, will be prohibited from doing so under the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Monday.

According to Mav Gonzales’ “24 Oras” report, Hontiveros made the statement during the public consultation of the proposed measure in Marilao, Bulacan.

The discussion included not only married couples but also those unmarried ones and couples from the LGBTQIA+ community who married abroad.

Based on Hontiveros’ version of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, these couples are also prohibited from running for a government position.

“Kahit hindi po sila kasal ng simbahan o sibil, basta meron silang iisang tahanan at pinakikilala ang sarili nila bilang isang couple,” Hontiveros said.

([They are included in the provision] even if they are not married in a church or civil, as long as they share a home and present themselves as a couple.)

If relatives are barred from running at the same time, Marilao Mayor Jem Sy wants the restriction to include up to the second degree of consanguinity or immediate family.

There are spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents, cousins, and others.

She added that she only wants to prohibit relatives from running at the same time, not prevent them from serving consecutive terms.

The Senate is also studying cases where relatives are both holding positions in the government despite winning in different years, including the siblings in the Senate.

"Kahit nga po sinabi niyo may apat na pares sa Senado, sa kasalukuyang Kongreso, dalawa ay authors po ng Anti-Political Dynasty bill," the Senator said.

(Even though you said there are four pairs in the Senate, in the current Congress, two are authors of the Anti-Political Dynasty bill.)

"Sinabi po pareho nila nung pagdinig na gusto po nila palawakin yung pangpulitikong espasyo, lampas sa mga dinastiya nila," the Senator added.

(They both said during the hearing that they want to expand the political space, beyond their dynasties.)

Some proposed measures in the House also suggest extending the prohibition up to the second degree, including those authored and sponsored by Caloocan Second District Rep. Edgar Erice.

“Lolo, anak, apo, kapatid at mga asawa nila. Kung hindi po second degree, magkakagulo na. Unenforceable, unimplementable na po ang isang Anti-Political Dynasty,” Erice said.

(Grandparents, children, grandchildren, siblings, and their spouses. If it doesn’t cover the second degree, it will create confusion. An Anti-Political Dynasty law would become unenforceable and unimplementable.) — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BAP, GMA Integrated News