Palace hits Erice for questioning Marcos over anti-political dynasty bill

Malacañang on Wednesday called out House Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice over his remarks about the proposed anti-political dynasty bill and the intentions of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. regarding its legislation.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked for comment on Erice's statement questioning Marcos' intent in making the bill a priority measure of his administration.

"Bakit naman po kay Pangulo isisisi? Kung ayaw niya ng bersiyon sa House of Representatives, eh 'di kapag nagkaroon po ng pag-debate, debatehin niya po munang mabuti, ilabas na niya lahat ng kaniyang talino. At kung anong kahihinatnan niyan, hindi naman po siyang mag-isa lang ang magdedesisyon niyan," Castro said.

(Why is he blaming the President? If he doesn't like the version of the House of Representatives, he should show his knowledge during the debates. Whatever the outcome will be, he's not the only one who'll decide on it.) 

"Ang nakakapagtaka po dito kay Congressman Erice, parang lahat na lang ng kasalanan sa mundo isinisisi niya sa Pangulo. Trabaho po nilang gumawa ng batas kaya trabahuhin niya po iyan kung anong gusto niyang version," she added.

(What's curious about Congressman Erice is that he's blaming the President over every fault in this world. It's their job to craft laws so he should work on the version that he wants.)

The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms has approved a proposed anti-political dynasty bill that would stop close relatives—up to second-degree family members—from running for or holding office in the same area at the same time.

Erice said he opposed the approved version, arguing that it still allows close relatives to run for and occupy public office at the same time, as long as they do so in different localities.

"It was approved as is [as filed by Congressman Marcos and the Speaker]. Five congressmen in five districts, 10 mayors in 10 cities — all related," Erice told reporters. Congressman Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos, House majority leader and first district representative of Ilocos Norte, is the President's son.

"Everybody in public office (is) now relatives," he added.

Erice also expressed dismay that the approved version allegedly falls short of the 1987 Constitution's intent to curb political dynasties.

Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that "the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." — VDV, GMA Integrated News