Passage of anti-political dynasty law is a congressional priority – Dy

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Thursday guaranteed that the passage of an anti-political dynasty law is a congressional priority.

Dy made this statement after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that Congress has a constitutional duty to enact and define a law that prohibits political dynasties.

The SC en banc’s unanimous decision was announced by SC Spokesperson Camille Ting on Wednesday.

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The resolution is in reponse to consolidated petitions filed by groups asking the high court to compel Congress to act on the constitutional duty. 

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READ: SC: Congress has duty to pass law banning political dynasties

“Passage of a constitutional Anti-Political Dynasty law is a priority of the Congress as part of its mandate to implement a constitutional policy and advance reforms that will expand equal access and democratic participation that will promote good governance,” the speaker said.

The Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states that the “State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

However, 39 years after the ratification of the Constitution, no bill banning political dynasties has been passed into law. 

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With the SC’s ruling, Dy said that “Congress has a historic opportunity to give fuller legislative effect to a constitutional policy that has long awaited comprehensive implementation.”

He also noted that the implementation of the constitutional policy requires a “fair, definite and principled legal framework” to promote equal access and opportunities to holding public office.

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READ: House approves anti-dynasty bill on third and final reading

On June 3, the House passed House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, on third and final reading.

267 lawmakers voted in favor, 20 against, and seven abstentions.

Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos III, both from long-time political clans, were the bill’s principal authors. 

The measure prohibits spouses and relatives of up to second degree of consanguinity and affinity from seeking public office at the same time. 

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The lower chamber then transmitted the measure to the Senate on June 8. /apl