MANILA, Philippines — The Senate leadership is set to request that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. classify the anti-political dynasty bill as an urgent measure to accelerate its passage, Senator Risa Hontiveros announced on Thursday, September 24.
speaking at a hearing of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Reinvigorate Investment and Sustainable Economic Growth (RISE), Hontiveros acknowledged the initiative spearheaded by Senate President Win Gatchalian following calls from economic experts regarding governance reform.
The push follows statements from former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo, who noted that political dynasties hamper the country’s economic growth and complicate efforts to eliminate red tape and corruption within the government bureaucracy.
Hontiveros welcomed the Senate’s swift response to the economic observation.
”I am grateful to the Senate leadership, led by the Senate President, for responding to this reminder,” Hontiveros said.
”In fact, just last night (Wednesday), before we adjourned session, the leadership moved to request that the bill—already a LEDAC priority—be certified as urgent, so that we may attempt to pass it during the current session of the 20th Congress,” she said.
”This move is also prompted by findings indicating that in localities where political dynasties have long held entrenched power, there appears to be a genuine correlation with underdevelopment or a significant opportunity cost regarding potential progress in those areas,” she further stressed.
Senate Bill No. 1901, officially titled “Act Prohibiting Political Dynasties in National and Local Elective Offices and Party-list, and Providing Penalties therefore,” remains pending on second reading.
The proposed legislation was jointly authored and submitted by Senate Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito alongside Senators Robin Padilla, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, Loren Legarda, and Erwin Tulfo under Committee Report No. 33.