Sotto flags paramours, kin in anti-political dynasty bill

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Wednesday raised concerns about potential “loopholes” in the anti-political dynasty bill, specifically on whether it will cover of extramarital partners and their relatives.

During the interpellation period for Senate Bill 1901, Sotto asked whether the bill would also bar politicians’ mistresses or partners outside of marriage—including their children, siblings, or parents—from running for national or local office.

“Papano po kung hindi sila kasal? So walang bigamy. Mag-girlfriend sila… meron silang extramarital relationship,” Sotto asked.

(What if they are not married? There’s no bigamy. They introduce themselves as girlfriend-boyfriend… they have an extramarital relationship.)

He further illustrated a scenario: “Eh, magpa-file ‘yung isa. Sabi niya, ‘Break na kami. Hindi ko na boyfriend ‘yan si Tarpulano. Ba't mo ko pipigilan mag-file? Eh hindi ko na kaano-ano ngayon ‘yan. Break na kami. Hiwalay na kami. I am protected by Section 1 of Article 5 of the Right of Suffrage.’”

(What if one of them files for candidacy and says they’re no longer in a relationship? They could claim protection under Section 1 of Article 5 of the Right of Suffrage.)

Sotto said he raised the question because such scenarios could create a loophole in the bill.

“You will be preventing Mrs. Tarpulano from running but you will be allowing the mistress of Mr. Tarpulano to run or Mayor Tarpulano,” he said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate electoral reforms committee and sponsor of the bill, clarified that if a cohabiting couple without the benefit of marriage lie about their relationship to run in elections, it could be a ground for the cancellation of their certificate of candidacy or nomination.

“Kung nakaupo na, nagsisilbi na sa public service ‘yung tao, pero mapatunayan kahit later na nag-willfully conceal siya o nagsinungaling siya tungkol sa status niya doon sa sworn statement niya sa isang political dynasty relationship, pwede rin po siya ma-quo warranto," Hontiveros said.

(If the person is already serving, but it’s later proven they willfully concealed or lied about their status in their sworn statement on a political dynasty relationship, a quo warranto may be filed.)

A quo warranto is a legal action that challenges whether someone has the right to hold a public office or position.

"Provided for ito dito sa ating panukala. So, mabo-void ab initio ‘yung kanyang pag-proklama at pagsilbi sa public service,” she added.

(This is provided for in our proposal. Their proclamation and service may be declared void from the beginning.)

Hontiveros defined partnerships without marriage as two people living together as a couple without legal marriage.

“Kung nagko-cohabit ‘yung couple na ‘yun at nagpapakilala bilang couple kahit hindi sila kasal, iti-trigger po no’n, on the part of Comelec, ‘yung prohibition against a political dynasty relationship,” she said.

(If that couple cohabits and presents themselves as a couple despite not being married, it will trigger Comelec’s prohibition against a political dynasty relationship.)

Sotto then asked whether the bill would also cover siblings of extramarital partners.

Hontiveros said such cases would no longer fall under the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Sotto expressed concern that this could allow the transfer of power or influence despite the bill.

“Dahil ‘yun din ‘yun. Kung minsan nga ‘yung girlfriend, mas matapang kaysa ro’n sa asawa eh. ‘Di po ba? Aba ito’y isa sa mga pwede nating dapat nahanapan ng solusyon,” he said.

(Sometimes the girlfriend is even more politically ambitious than the wife. This is something we need to find a solution for.)

Hontiveros said the issue raised by Sotto will be studied.

Last week, the Senate electoral reforms committee approved the anti-political dynasty bill, which bars relationships up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, rather than extending to the fourth degree.

A counterpart measure was approved by the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms on Tuesday.—MCG, GMA Integrated News