Anti-political dynasty bill makes historic debut in House plenary

By XIANNE ARCANGEL, GMA News

The proposed law against political dynasties has been tackled in the plenary for the first time Tuesday, after being stopped in its tracks at the committee level in previous Congresses.

 

Graphic by Emil Mercado

Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, and Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice delivered sponsorship speeches on House Bill 3587, or "An Act Prohibiting the Establishment of Political Dynasties,” a day after the measure was included in the House’s Order of Business.

Castro said that contrary to the perception of some lawmakers, the proposed legislation does not prohibit anyone from running or holding public office, but just limits the number of those who may participate in the elections from one political clan for a particular period.

“[This bill] gives the best and brightest from a disadvantaged family equal access to public service which otherwise could have been held and occupied by other members of political dynasties,” he said.

HB 3587 seeks to limit the political power exerted by political families by prohibiting relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity to hold or run for both national and local posts in successive, simultaneous, or overlapping terms.

It was unanimously approved by the committee in November 2013.

Castro heralded the bill’s progress to the plenary in his speech, noting that it was the first time since 1988 that it hurdled the committee level.

“The presentation of House Bill 3587 is a most rare opportunity for the members of Congress...[to prove] that the call of nationalism is supreme and no stranger to them,” he said.

Erice, one of the bill's staunchest supporters in the 16th Congress, said political dynasties must be abolished so Filipinos could experience and reap the benefits of real democracy.

He noted that the political party system is being damaged by the continued rule of a few political families.

"Political parties used to admit members and nominate candidates based on uniform ideologies. But because of strong political ties, membership in a political party now is largely dictated by one's surname... Ang nangyayari, nawawalan ang partido ng prinsipyo," he said.

In pushing for the passage of the law, Castro challenged his colleagues to "do the right thing" and put aside their familial and political affiliations for the country's benefit.

"[This time] is a rare opportunity to place the interest of the country ahead of personal interest... [It's] an opportunity that not everyone is given," he said.  GMA News