Business, civic groups buck anti-dynasty bill

BUSINESS AND CIVIC GROUPS on Tuesday urged lawmakers to scrap a proposed anti-political dynasty measure, arguing that the bill would entrench rather than curb the influence of political families.

In a joint statement, the Justice Reform Initiative, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Philippine Institute of Arbitrators, and Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines described House Bill No. 8389 as a “pro-dynasty bill.”

The groups said the measure, which was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives, fails to carry out the 1987 Constitution’s mandate to prohibit political dynasties.

“Instead of fulfilling the mandate of our 1987 Constitution to dismantle political dynasties, it does the exact opposite: It institutionalizes the entrenched control of political families,” the groups said.

They argued that the bill would still allow relatives to simultaneously occupy different elective positions, succeed one another in office and exchange positions within the same family.

“This is not reform but protection of dynasties and making sure there are no reforms,” they said.

The groups called on the Senate not to act on the measure and urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to veto it if it reaches Malacañang.

“We strongly reject House Bill 8389. We call on the Senate to refuse to act on this measure and on the President to veto it should it reach his desk,” they said.

The organizations also urged the public to support the Dapat Isa Lang (One Only) campaign of the People’s Initiative Coalition Against Dynasties.

The campaign seeks to limit members of the same family up to the fourth degree of consanguinity to holding only one national and one local elective post at any given time. It also seeks to prohibit succession and the swapping of positions among relatives.

Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution directs the state to guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties “as may be defined by law.”

However, Congress has yet to pass an enabling law defining and regulating political dynasties nearly four decades after the Constitution took effect. — Pexcel John Bacon