Cavite, Philippines — The passage of a bill ending political dynasty is certain with House Speaker Bojie Dy as one of its authors, a lawmaker said on Thursday, Feb. 12.
The debate has narrowed down to the most contentious issue: whether the law applies up to 4th degree, or just be limited to 2nd degree of blood relations and affinity.
The timetable though is unclear as the House of Representatives is left with just one plenary session next week amid the Chinese New Year holidays. But the goal is for the committee on suffrage and electoral reforms to come up with its report for plenary review, panel chairman Zia Adiong told reporters.
“The debate really boils down to the issue of whether the anti-political dynasty provision in the Constitution will translate to fourth degree. Would that be a fourth degree prohibition or would that be second degree prohibition?” the Lanao del Sur lawmaker said during a press briefing in Carmona City in Cavite, where the committee held a public consultation on the bill.
“I think that’s the way to balance it out. That’s the way to at least compromise,” the lawmaker said.
President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. earlier this week said he wants the bill passed by June. At least 24 bills sponsored by a number of lawmakers – including Dy and presidential son and congressman Sandro Marcos – seek to prohibit successive rules by political families.
The urgency comes as the national polls would be due in two years, raising concerns the Commission on Elections will be left with little time to implement the law to filter ineligible candidates.
“This will certainly pass at the House of Representatives,” Adiong said.
In Cavite, the bailiwick of the Revillas, Remullas and Maliksi political clans, residents are divided over the need for the anti-political dynasty law.
“Nakakalungkot po dapat sa inyong mambabatas manggagaling hindi po yung political dynasty ang tinututukan ninyo, maraming nangangalingan na taumbayan, mga mamamayan sa Pilipinas naghihirap dahil sa mga korapsyong nagaganap na hindi nyo binibigyan ng aksyon,” 70-year old Beth Biojon tells lawmakers during the public consultation.
[Translation: It is sad that you are focusing on political dynasties. Many of our countrymen are in need, they are poor because of corruption and you are not taking action.]
A migrant to Cavite since 1968, Biojon credits the upgrade of Carmona from a municipality to city to political clans.
“Naging maunlad ang bayan ng Carmona. Bakit po? Dahil ang lider gaya po ng Loyola, sila po ang nagpaunlad ng bayan ng Carmona. Naging siyudad,” she said, referring to a local leader.
[Translation: Carmona is a progressive town. Why? Because of leaders like Loyola. They developed Carmona, and it became a city.]
