Hontiveros: Anti-dynasty law could protect 5,000 posts from political clans

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The anti-political dynasty bill being tackled in the Senate, if enacted into law, could affect around 30 percent of elective positions nationwide and become the first measure prohibiting candidates from political clans from running for office nearly four decades after the 1987 Constitution directed Congress to regulate the practice.

During a press conference in Cebu City, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the Senate version of the bill, which is undergoing interpellation, contains provisions that observers believe could significantly affect the country’s political landscape.

According to Hontiveros, the proposal bars from running candidates who are relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity.

READ: The House anti-dynasty bill: Approved, but not applauded

She said observers have estimated that the measure could place around 30 percent of elective positions under restrictions.

“Hindi maliit na bagay. That will already start to shake the ground if and when maipasa ‘yung batas na ‘yan,” Hontiveros said.

A CDN Digital calculation based on the open positions in the 2022 elections shows that the 30-percent figure translates to around 5,000 elective positions.

Senate version

The senator distinguished the Senate proposal from the counterpart measure approved by the House of Representatives, saying she is looking forward to the progress of the proposal as it moves through the interpellation and amendment stages.

She said the Senate version currently contains six or seven important provisions, although deliberations are still ongoing.

Among these is one that would prohibit political families from participating in the party-list system if members of the same family already occupy either a national or local elective position.

READ: Political dynasty ban backed by 54% of Filipinos, says Pulse Asia

Hontiveros also said the measure covers couples who are not legally married but publicly present themselves as partners, are recognized as such, and live in the same household.

According to the senator, these relationships would likewise fall under the proposed restrictions on political dynasty relations.

Bicameral conference

Hontiveros said she is looking forward to a bicameral conference committee session where senators and members of the House of Representatives will reconcile their respective versions of the measure.

She expressed hope that the process would eventually produce what could become the country’s first anti-political dynasty law.

The senator noted that such a measure would come 39 years after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, which directs Congress to prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

READ: Anti-dynasty law a must-have for ending corruption, bishop says

She was referring to Article II, Section 26 of the Constitutions which reads: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

If enacted this year, an Anti-Political dynasty Act would be the country’s first, nearly four decades after the Constitution mandated its enactment.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Read Next

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.