Robin Padilla urges passage of ‘toughest’ anti-political dynasty measure

MANILA, Philippines— Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla on Monday prodded his colleagues to pass his proposed anti-political dynasty law, which he dubbed as the strictest and most comprehensive measure ever filed in Congress.

“It is time to put an end to the inheritance of political power and return it to the people,”  Padilla said in a press release.

His Senate Bill No. 1901 (SBN 1901), filed in February, seeks  to enforce the clear mandate of the 1987 Constitution, prohibiting political dynasties as may be defined by law.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Robin Padilla files anti-political dynasty bill

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Nearly four decades after, however,  the said constitutional provision has yet to be implemented, the senator  lamented.

“If we are serious about political reform, our fight against political dynasties cannot be just empty rhetoric. It is already enshrined in our Constitution, yet nearly forty years have passed without an implementing law,” Padilla said.

According to him,  SBN 1901 is considered the toughest version among all anti-political dynasty bills filed in Congress “because it closes many of the loopholes commonly exploited to perpetuate political control, including succession by relatives, party-list substitutions, and even the use of common-law relationships to evade the restrictions.”

Unlike previous proposals, Padilla said his bill imposes an absolute prohibition on spouses and relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously holding elective office within the same jurisdiction, immediately succeeding one another in office, or circumventing the law through substitutions, appointments, resignations, or party-list nominations.

Article continues after this advertisement

Common-law relationships and civil unions are also covered by  his bill to prevent the use of technicalities to perpetuate political control.

“Government power should not be treated as an inheritance passed on to a spouse, child, sibling, or other relative. Public service is not a family business but a responsibility to the people,” the senator stressed.

Article continues after this advertisement

Under his bill,  candidates and party-list nominees would be required to submit sworn declarations regarding familial relationships.

It likewise authorizes the Commission on Elections to cancel certificates of candidacy for violations, and imposes election offense penalties on those who falsify information or deliberately evade the law.

Padilla expressed hope that the measure would finally get the approval of Congress.

At present, there are at least three siblings serving as senators in the Senate— Alan and Pia Cayetano, Mark and Camille Villar,  and Raffy and Erwin Tulfo. /mr

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated