Akbayan welcomes SC decision on anti-political dynasty law

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Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno on Sunday welcomed the Supreme Court’s (SC) directive for Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law.

"This decision of the Supreme Court is groundbreaking. This is a very welcome decision for us because we have long been advocating for a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law," Diokno told Super Radyo dzBB.

The SC directed Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law at the earliest opportunity, ruling that its failure to do so for 39 years constitutes grave abuse of discretion.

The ruling stemmed from consolidated petitions filed by several groups and individuals seeking to compel Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty to enact a law prohibiting political dynasties.

SC spokesperson Camille Ting said the use of the word "shall" in Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution makes clear that the State has a mandatory duty to prohibit political dynasties. (Supreme Court of the Philippines)

The provision states that the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties "as may be defined by law."

The SC, however, said Congress retains the authority to define what constitutes a political dynasty and determine the scope of the prohibition.

Diokno pointed out that the version of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill filed by their group in the House of Representatives would ban relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or occupying a public post in the same constituency or jurisdiction.

"The Anti-Political Dynasty Bill that we are pushing covers up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity and includes everyone. For us, all positions, whether local or national, should be covered by the prohibition against political dynasties," Diokno said.

This version differs from House Bill 8389, which the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading in June. The measure prohibits relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or occupying a post in the same constituency or jurisdiction.

"An Anti-Political Dynasty Bill with real teeth should be enacted. If only our version in the House had been passed into law, political dynasties would truly be reduced," Diokno said.— MCG, GMA News