Sandro Marcos, Bojie Dy file anti-dynasty bill in House
House Speaker Bojie Dy and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos—who both come from political families—have filed a version of the anti-political dynasty bill in the House of Representatives.
"With this measure, Congress will finally fulfill its constitutional mandate to prohibit political dynasties and take a crucial step toward buidling a more inclusive and acocuntable political system for all Filipinos," the lawmakers wrote in the explanatory note for House Bill No. 6671.
Under the bill, an elected official's spouse, children, parents, siblings, or any person related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half-blood, will not be allowed to hold public office simultaneously.
It also states that an incumbent House of Representatives member's relatives are also barred from holding the same position simultaneously within the same legislative district.
The same also goes for those in provincial, city or municipal, and barangay positions.
Moreover, the bill states that those running for elective positions must file a sworn statement with the Commission on Elections declaring that they do not have a political dynasty relationship.
Violators will be denied their certificate of candidacy, and votes cast for them shall not be counted.
Sandro's father President Bongbong Marcos has also pushed the Congress to prioritize the speedy passage of the anti-dynasty bill and three others.
Apart from his father, Sandro's aunt Imee is currently a senator, while his uncle Martin Romualdez is also a member of the House of Representatives. His grandfather, the late Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was a strongman and held the presidency for over 20 years.
On the other hand, Dy has 16 relatives in government service, including his sons Quezon City Rep. Faustino Dy V and Echague, Isabela Mayor Francis Faustino Dy. His brothers Victor Dy, Manuel Faustino Dy, and Faustino Dy IV are board members in Isabela (4th and 5th districts) and mayor of San Manuel, Isabela, respectively.
This came after advocates had pushed for an anti-dynasty bill. The Anti-Dynasty Network on Dec. 8 called for the enactment of the bill, wherein they laid out rules, such as prohibiting a family member from succeeding an incumbent in any elective office. This rule extends to relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.
In the 20th Congress, two other anti-dynasty bills have been filed in the House by the Makabayan Bloc and Rep. Bernadette Barbers. Meanwhile, in the Senate, similar measures have been submitted by senators Bam Aquino, Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan, Ping Lacson, and Robin Padilla.
