MANILA, Philippines - The Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation has started deliberations on the proposed bill that would define and outlaw political dynasties in the country.
While the bill is not expected to be approved in the 15th Congress, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III said the conduct of committee hearings now and the possible release of the recommendations by the committee could provide the next Congress with a starting point for deliberations on the issue if such is revived.
Apart from lack of time, Pimentel admitted getting the bill approved in this Congress would be difficult since the elections are coming up and there are several political clans that would be affected by such a measure.
“But I never lose hope. The new generation could have a change in its mindset. So even a dynastic generation may pass an anti-dynasty law,” said Pimentel, chairman of the committee.
There is only one bill that was filed in the Senate to eliminate political dynasties, Senate Bill 2649 filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago last year.
The 1987 Constitution says that equal access to public service must be guaranteed and political dynasties are prohibited “as may be defined by law.”
“To give force and effect to this provision, the playing field of the political arena should be leveled and opened to persons who are equally qualified to aspire on even terms with those from ruling politically dominant families,” Santiago said in her bill.
“The socio-economic and political inequities prevalent in Philippine society limit public office to members of ruling families. In many instances, voters, for convenience and out of cultural mindset, look up to these ruling families as dispensers of favors and thus elect relatives of these politically dominant families,” she added.
Pimentel said the bill only covers politics in local and not national level, so such a law would cover the elected members of the barangay up to the House of Representatives.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=862773&publicationSubCategoryId=63