Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña said strong public backing for a proposed measure banning political dynasties should compel Congress to finally adopt a clear and meaningful definition of political dynasty, as mandated by the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.
Cendaña made the statement after a Pulse Asia survey revealed that six in 10 Filipinos support institutionalizing an anti-dynasty law.
“High public support for anti-dynasty law shows growing impatience for Congress’ failure to deliver on its constitutional mandate,” Cendaña said.
He stressed that lawmakers have delayed action on the measure for decades.
“Halos 40 taon nang pa-delay delay at pateka-teka ang Kongreso. Antagal nang naghihintay ng publiko na i-fulfill natin ang ating mandato na isabatas ang anti-political dynasty provision ng Konstitusyon,” he added.
Cendaña also expressed hope that fellow legislators would recognize the urgency of passing the measure, while warning against approving a diluted version of the bill.
“But I hope we do not act in such haste that we fail to pass a law that truly adheres to the spirit of the Constitution and reflects the aspirations of our people,” he said.
Along with Akbayan representatives Chel Diokno and Dadah Ismula, as well as Kaka Bag-ao, Cendaña earlier withdrew his signature from the committee report of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.
They argued that the panel’s version failed to consolidate the various anti-dynasty bills filed in the House.
The committee-approved draft would bar spouses and relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously holding certain elective posts.
However, Cendaña and his allies are pushing for a stricter proposal that would extend the prohibition up to the fourth degree, ban dynasties within the party-list system, and prevent relatives from succeeding each other in public office.