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Miriam bill seeks to prohibit political dynasties


Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago has filed a bill which seeks to prohibit the establishment of political dynasties in the country. "The playing field of the political arena should be levelled and opened to persons who are equally qualified to aspire on even terms with those from ruling politically dominant families," Santiago said in her exploratory note in Senate Bill 2649. Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that: "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." Since the ratification of the Charter, however, Congress has yet to pass an enabling law defining what "political dynasties" are prohibited. SB 2649 SB 2649 says that no spouse or person related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent elective official seeking reelection shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective office in the same province in the same election. The measure says "second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity" shall refer to the relatives of a person who may be the latter's brother or sister, whether of full or half-blood, direct ascendant or descendant, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, including their spouses. If the incumbent official holds a national position, the bills says his or her relatives shall only be disqualified from running in the province where the official is a registered voter. But if there are also candidates who are related in a similar prohibited degree, they shall also be disqualified from running for any local elective office within the same province and election. SB 2648 likewise says that no person related by second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent official shall be allowed to immediately succeed the position of the latter, except for punong barangays or members of the sangguniang barangay. It says that any citizen of voting age, candidate, duly-registered political party, organization, or coalition of political parties may file a petition to disqualify a candidate with the Commission on Elections, which shall hear and decide on the issue. Previous bills Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Teodoro Casiño had also filed a similar bill, HB 3413, in the House of Representatives. At least three similar bills were likewise filed during the 13th and 14th Congress. Among these are former senator and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim's SB 1317 (2004); Santiago's SB 1904 (2005); and Sen. Panfilo Lacson's SB 1468 (2007). Lim and Santiago's bill did not even pass the committee level during the 13th Congress. On the other hand, Lacson's proposed measure remained pending on second reading until the 14th Congress adjourned its session. — RSJ, GMA News