Who among politician’s kin can run for office and where under Anti-Dynasty Bill?

The proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill that was approved by the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms earlier this week will ban relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running or holding elective posts within the same area of jurisdiction at the same time.

However, House Bill 6771 will allow relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to run and hold elective posts at the same time, as long as they are in different provinces, towns, cities, and districts.

This was according to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday.

For example, the relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of a politician holding a national post like President, Vice President, or senator may run for governor or vice governor as long as they are in different provinces.

These relatives may also run for mayor or vice mayor at the same time as long as they are in different towns or cities.

The relatives may also run for congressman or councilor at the same time as long as they are in different districts. Their other relatives beyond this degree may also fill up other positions.

“Ang mangyayari, parang ginawa nilang parang compartmentalize. Ang ibig sabihin, posible na si nanay ay congresswoman, si tatay ay governor, at kung meron silang limang anak, pwede lahat ‘yung mayor sa kanilang mga munisipyong lima,” explained Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao.

(What will happen is that they compartmentalized it. It means that the mother, possibly, can be congresswoman, the father can be governor, and if they have five children, they can all run for mayor in five municipalities.)

Relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity cannot hold elective posts at the same time, but they may succeed the other should they be elected.

“Parang bench warming lang di ba? ‘Yung uupo ka pansamantala kasi nag-end ang term ng asawa mo so uupo ka. Hindi ka naman talaga interesado, wala ka naman talagang kakayahan. Tatlong taon, tapos babalik ulit. Alam naman natin na nangyayari din,” Bag-ao said.

(It’s like bench warming. You will occupy it because your spouse’s term ended. You’re not really interested, you don’t have any capability for it. Three years, then your spouse will return. We know that happens.)

House Bill 6771 was filed by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, whose father is President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The report explained that if the law were to be implemented now, it means that in the younger Marcos’ case, his father and his aunt, Senator Imee Marcos cannot hold national elective positions at the same time.

However, their other relatives can still hold elective posts as long as they do so in different provinces, cities, towns, and districts as proposed in the bill.

“Sabi magpapasa ng isang makatotohanang anti-political dynasty, ipapriority, ano nangyari? Ito po ay pro-political dynasties, hindi lang magpapataba. Magpapabundat pa sa mga dinastiya dito sa ating may bansa,” said Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice.

(They say they will pass a true anti-political dynasty bill and it will be prioritized. What happened? This is pro-political dynasty. It will not just fatten, but bloat the dynasties in our country.)

Senator Risa Hontiveros said a compromise to push for a ban up to the second degree instead of the fourth degree of consanguinity will increase the measure’s chances of approval in the Senate.

In their version, relatives cannot hold national office at the same time, or hold local positions within the same province, district, town, or city.

This version includes politicians who are unmarried, regardless of gender, as long as they are living under one roof.

Hontiveros said politicians who are cohabiting but who lie about the status of their relationship in order to run for office may face the cancellation of their certificate of candidacy or nomination.

“Pwede rin po siyang ma quo warranto. Provided for po ito dito sa ating panukala. So mavo-void ab initio po ‘yung kanyang pag-proklama at pag-silbi sa public service,” she said during a Senate hearing.

(The politician can be also the subject of a quo warranto. This is provided for in our measure. So the proclamation and the rendering of public service will be voided ab initio.)

Their version does not cover a politician’s siblings or partner because they are not within the scope of the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said this may mean that the measure is “not preventing the transfer of power or influence.” In response, Hontiveros said she will study this concern. — JMA, GMA Integrated News