Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said Thursday that enacting a “reasonable and constitutional” anti-political dynasty law remains a priority of the House of Representatives, following a Supreme Court ruling directing Congress to act on the constitutional mandate.
Dy said the House had already approved House Bill 8389 on third and final reading on June 3 by a vote of 267-20, with seven abstentions. The measure was transmitted to the Senate on June 8.
The House-approved bill would prohibit spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from holding elective positions simultaneously or successively in certain circumstances.
The Senate, meanwhile, is considering its own version of the measure.
The legislative push seeks to implement Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, which requires the State to guarantee equal access to public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
In a unanimous ruling dated Aug. 26 and made public on Sept. 16, the Supreme Court said Congress has a mandatory constitutional duty to enact an anti-political dynasty law. It also held that the 39-year failure to pass an enabling measure constituted grave abuse of discretion.
The Court directed Congress to enact the law “at the earliest opportunity,” while leaving lawmakers to define what constitutes a political dynasty and determine the scope of the prohibition.
Dy said the ruling gives Congress an opportunity to finally give fuller effect to the constitutional provision and craft a legal framework that expands access to public office while setting clear and reasonable restrictions.
He added that the proposed law should seek to prevent excessive concentration of political power while preserving the electorate’s role in choosing its representatives.
