House OKs anti-dynasty bill on final reading
The House of Representatives has approved the measure prohibiting political dynasties and promoting equal access to public office on its third and final reading.
A total of 271 House members voted in favor, while 16 voted against and seven abstained from the House Bill 8389 or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, during the plenary session on Wednesday, June 3.
The bill defines a political dynasty as the concentration, consolidation, or domination of elective political power by spouses or relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.
It bars spouses and second-degree relatives from simultaneously holding or seeking elective positions within the same national, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay government unit, as well as from running for seats in the House of Representatives within the same legislative district.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos spearheaded the measure, which was co-authored by 173 other lawmakers.
The measure also requires candidates for elective office to submit a sworn declaration to the Commission on Elections affirming that their candidacy will not create a prohibited dynastic relationship.
For cases involving relatives whose candidacies could result in a prohibited political dynasty, the bill allows voluntary withdrawal. If none of the candidates withdraws, a draw of lots will determine who may take office.
It likewise mandates the Comelec to formulate and issue the implementing rules and regulations within 90 days of the law taking effect.
On the other hand, Akbayan Party-list representative Chel Diokno explained why he voted against the bill, saying that it lacks the teeth to ban political dynasties and instead legitimizes the system.
"Under this proposal, one family can still lead at different levels of government. But if they sit on top, and they still sit on the bottom, does the concentration of power still remain?" he began in his Facebook post.
"A senator or congressman can still sign contracts and projects for his brother governor. A governor can still use the capitol to oust his son's running mayor's opponent. And yet a president can use all government forces to cover up the corruption of his congress cousin. And another thing: the party-list has not yet covered the proposal. That's why the husband can still be a district representative, while the wife is sitting as a party-list representative," he added.
"This is against the spirit of the Constitution. It didn't end the reign of dynasties, but made it legal and part of the system," he added.
Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution states that the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties, as may be defined by law. However, there is currently no enabling law that clearly defines or enforces this ban.
The bill will next be transmitted to the Senate. If approved by both chambers, it will be sent to the president for signing. Once enacted, the law will take effect in the next elections.
