00:00Congress is showing initiative and interest to craft legislation to curb or significantly curtail familial monopoly on political power at the local and national government levels by way of a potent anti-political dynasty piece of legislation.
00:16Close to two dozen versions of the proposed bill have been conceived thus far, all of which support the abolition of political dynasties.
00:25Our Mary Vell Custodio tells us more.
00:30The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms is seriously tackling the proposed anti-political dynasty bill.
00:38The measure is among the priority bills identified during the latest Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council or LEDAC.
00:45Tandaan po natin, simula pa lamang ito ng mas malawak na reformang layuning palakasin ang ating pong demokrasya.
00:54Palawakin ang patas na pagkakataon sa paglilingkod bayan at ibalik ang tiwala ng taong bayan sa ating pong institusyon.
01:04The President himself recognizes that it is time to pass these measures.
01:10Sa huling LEDAC isinama po niya ang Anti-Political Dynasty Act sa mga priority measures.
01:18Twenty versions of the bill have been filed by lawmakers supporting the abolition of political dynasties.
01:24All this seeks to promote equal access to opportunities in public service.
01:29The basis for the prohibition against political dynasties is found in Article 2, State Policies, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution,
01:39which provides that the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
01:49According to Committee Chairperson Zia Alonto Adyong, history shows that when dynastic powers is abused,
01:57accountabilities undermined, fair competition weakened, and corruption encouraged.
02:03Public resources are also diverted towards private family interests instead of serving the welfare of the public.
02:10Meanwhile, ACT teachers' party list representative Antonio Tinio, one of the authors of the bill,
02:16said that public service is being treated like a family enterprise.
02:21He added that political dynasty limit opportunities for qualified leaders and capable citizens.
02:27Based on the explanatory notes of several authors and its sponsors,
02:31relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity should not hold political position simultaneously.
02:37Other versions of anti-political dynasty bill, however, set the prohibition of the second degree of consanguinity.
02:45According to academics, legal practitioners, and election advocates,
02:50these are among the issues that Congress must clarify in the proposed measures.
02:54The first one is the question of relationship.
02:58Palagi pong namimension yung consanguinity versus affinity, kung second or fourth.
03:05The other one is the timing.
03:09Kailan po ba ito mag-a-apply?
03:11Yung sabay-sabay o sunod-sunod?
03:14Then, yung third po, anong posisyon ba ang kasama dito?
03:19Yung national, local, o pareho?
03:23Tapos pag inisip po natin yung posisyon, ano po ba ang jurisdiction?
03:29Ito ba'y territorial?
03:31Sa isang probinsya lamang?
03:32Sa isang distrito lamang?
03:34Or, ito ba'y hierarchical or vertical?
03:38So, halimbawa, ang senador may kamag-anak na mayor.
03:43Meanwhile, Commission on Election Chairperson George Irwin Garcia
03:47called for the clear definition and prohibition of the anti-political dynasty bill
03:52to ensure proper implementation if it is enacted into law.
03:56He stressed it must be clear who will be disqualified
04:00and who may be allowed to retain their candidacy.
04:03So, dapat po brief, broad, definite.
04:05As much as possible, the COMELEC will not be left to interpret
04:10what is your desire as provided in the provisions of the law.
04:14Vel Custodio for the National TV Network for a new and better Philippines.
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