In pushing for the passage of an anti-political dynasty law, Senator Kiko Pangilinan expressed belief that removing dynastic families entrenched in the country’s political scene would also address widespread corruption and poverty.
Pangilinan delivered an opening speech and some remarks during the anti-political dynasty hearing of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation joint with the Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes recently.
The hearing tackled the anti-political dynasty laws filed by Senators Robin Padilla, Panfilo Lacson, Erwin Tulfo, Risa Hontiveros, Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito, and Pangilinan himself.
In separate instances during his conversations with the resource persons, the veteran legislator raised the idea that ending political dynasties would also help solve the country’s long-standing and persistent problems.
“Kung walang dynasty, walang mahirap.”
“So we can say – kung walang dynasty, walang mahirap,” the seasoned lawmaker told Dr. Carmel Abao of the Ateneo de Manila University when he inquired about a research paper on the higher prevalence of poverty in communities where there are “fat dynasties”.
Fat dynasties refer to political clans where multiple family members hold various government positions at the same time.
In another remark, the senator also said, “So pwedeng sabihin: Kung walang dynasty, walang korap.”
Noting the anti-dynastic clamor from the public, he cited a Pulse Asia Survey last December that showed that more than half of Filipinos believe that an anti-dynasty law can solve systemic corruption in government.
With the Philippines facing the massive multi-billion-peso flood control corruption mess, the senator emphasized that it is now the “perfect timing” to pass the anti-political dynasty law.
“Perfect timing ito para ugatin ang mga problema, isulong ang mga solusyon, ‘yung concentration ng kapangyarihan at kayamanan sa Pilipinas,” Pangilinan said, adding that it would also “level the playing field” and allow for “new blood” to enter into honest public service.
“Sa larangan ng politika, hindi patas ang labanan.”
“Araw-araw, ang mayorya ng ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino ay lumalaban ng patas para mabuhay—sa bukid, sa karagatan, sa trabaho, sa opisina, sa negosyo,” he stated. “Subalit sa larangan ng politika, hindi patas ang labanan. Lalo na’t ‘pag buong angkan ang kalaban ng iisa o iilang kandidato. Hindi ito makatarungan. Hindi ito demokratiko. Dapat baguhin ito.”
Pangilinan has filed Senate Bill No. 285, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, calling for the end of dynastic political families that hold multiple and successive elected positions, controlling much of the government’s resources and keeping political power amongst the few.
The chair of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes said that the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which turns 39 years this month, mandates that the State must prohibit political dynasties and instead must guarantee equal access to public service.
In SB 285, he proposes that any person with a political dynasty relationship—spouses or relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity—shall not be allowed to run or hold public office either simultaneously or consecutively.
