Metro Manila, Philippines – Conveners of an anti-political dynasty movement affirmed their confidence in the Commission on Elections to implement an ideal provisional ban within the fourth civil degree.
During the launch of the D1L.org digital signing platform on Wednesday, Sept. 30, “Dapat Isa Lang” conveners Eirene Aguila and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio dismissed concerns that a fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity prohibition in an anti-dynasty law will be a tall order for the poll body.
The kinship provision in House Bill 8389 limits candidates from having family members run for office within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.
Aguila said the group trusts the Comelec to develop a system to determine candidates related to dynastic clans.
She cited a provision in the proposed bill under their people’s initiative providing for a mechanism for the poll body to coordinate with the Philippine Statistics Authority for access to civil registration records.
Section 9 of the bill states that “the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and all Local Civil Registrars shall, upon request of the COMELEC, grant the COMELEC access to birth, marriage, death, and adoption records, and to any other civil registration documents reasonably necessary, for the purpose of determining whether any person stands in a dynastic relationship as defined under this Act.”
Carpio supported the view by highlighting another provision that enables voters to challenge an erring official’s right to hold office.
“The bill authorizes any registered voter to file a quo warranto petition to question the candidate because of his relationship with another candidate,” Carpio said.
“So, everybody will be watching everyone,” he added.
Aguila said she believes that the Comelec will not have a logistical problem should the law be enacted since the electorate will be involved in reporting erring officials.
“Hindi po ako naniniwala na sobrang mahihirapan po ang Comelec kasi patuloy po nating babantayan, at nandiyan po ang mga taumbayan … Sa tingin ko po ang taumbayan mismo ang magmamasid, magbabantay, at magsusumbong sa Comelec,” she said.
[Translation: I do not believe that the Comelec will have a very hard time since we will continue to monitor, and the people are there … I think the people themselves will observe, monitor, and report to the Comelec.]
Aguila added that the responsibility to flag potential runners with a dynastic background does not solely reside with the Comelec, but is also a shared responsibility among the voters.
