Manila, Philippines – Amid the issue of corruption in the country, some lawmakers and progressive groups believe that this is rooted with the long standing political dynasty, with relatives vying for government positions.
In the Senate alone, four sets of siblings are seated at the 20th Congress—examples of political dynasties which are prohibited under the 1987 constitution but no formal law to enact it.
And in the longest time, only bills to prohibit dynasties were filed, but there was none successfully enacted by the Congress.
On Thursday, Senator Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Bill No, 1548 or the Kontra Dinastiya Act, seeking prohibition of political dynasties.
Hontiveros cited studies claiming that corruption is more rampant among political families, weakening as well the institutional checks and balances.
Under the bill, it aims to prohibit spouses or relatives until 4th degree of affinity of national officials to run on any national posts.
This shall also forbid relatives of local officials to run in any local posts within the same legislative district, province, or city.
Fourth degree of affinity includes great great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, first cousins, and grand nephews and nieces.
Aside from this, the bill shall also disallow relatives of an official to assumed his post immediately, and shall not be allowed to run for partylist groups.
Hontiveros said that the passing of this legislation will restore fairness within electoral systems, strengthen public institutions, and ensure that government leadership will not be determined by political powers or of their families.
Last week, Akbayan partylist filed before the Congress a counterpart bill before the House of Representatives.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News