The Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives (HOR) again filed a bill prohibiting political dynasties in the Philippines, a measure it first proposed as early as the 12th Congress.
ACT Teachers Partylist and Kabataan Youth Partylist filed as one of their first 10 measures House Bill (HB) 209 entitled “Defining and Prohibiting Political Dynasties” in the newly-opened 20th Congress on Monday.
The measure was among the very first filed by Makabayan’s first partylist, Bayan Muna, in 2001.
Comebacking ACT Rep. Antonio Tinio and first time Kabataan Rep. Renee Co filed the coalition’s eighth and latest attempt at an implementing law on the Constitution’s most ignored provision.
“It is high time that we pass a Bill of great importance, as mandated by our Constitution,” the measure’s explanatory note reads.
Article II, Section 26 of the Philippine charter said, “The State shall guarantee equal access to public service and prohibit political dynasty, as may be defined by law.”
Instead of directly following the provision, however, politicians defy it by saying an implementing law is needed before it could be implemented.
HB 209 defines political dynasty as a family or clan that concentrates, consolidates, or perpetuates their political power by holding public office simultaneously or successively.
The measure seeks to prohibit politicians to hold or run for any elective national or local office simultaneously with an immediate family member, first cousins, great uncles and aunts, great grandnieces and nephews and great-great grandparents.
It also wants to prohibit the passing of elected positions to those with civil degree relationships with the incumbent.
“The extended family system…has found its pernicious effects in the political arena where public office has been the exclusive domain of influential families and clans,” the measure explains.
“Such families have become so well-entrenched in Philippine politics that they have monopolized political power and public resources at all levels of government” it adds.
As of 2024, 80% of members Congress and 87% of governors belong to political dynasties. The families of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte are notorious political dynasties nationally and locally.
READ: 12 dynasties lose gubernatorial races, but 71 of 82 provinces still led by political clans
Various experts blame political dynasties for corruption in government that range from a “low” of 20% to as high as 40%. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
