Aquino pushes anti-dynasty bill, hits ‘one to sawa’ proposal

President Benigno Aquino III called for the passage of the Anti-Dynasty Bill into law as he hit those who want to stay in power for their personal interest.

Aquino expressed his personal endorsement during his last State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.

Aquino said that while he supports those who want to run for office and serve the country, he also has doubts.

“May mali rin sa pagpapakasasa sa kapangyarihan ng isang tiwaling pamilya o opisyal,” he said.

The President said this was the same reason why he never agreed to extend his term.

“Hindi tayo nakakasiguro na malinis ang intensyon ng susunod…Kung nanaisin lang nilang habang buhay na maghari-harian para sa pansariling interes,” he explained.

(We cannot be sure that the next president will have good intentions…or if they just want to remain in power forever for their own interests.)

Aquino did not name Vice President Jejomar Binay but his quote appeared to negate Binay’s suggestion to allow the re-election of officials “one to sawa (never ending).”

READ: Binay seeks lifting of term limitations: One to ‘sawa’

“Panahon na na ipasa ang anti-dynasty law (It is time to pass an anti-dynasty law),” the President said.

Binay’s recent decision to resign from the Cabinet has emboldened him to publicly criticize the Aquino administration, including taking opposing positions. He is the standard bearer of the opposition party United Nationalist Alliance.

The bill, which has been stalled in Congress for more than a decade, aims to limit the number of relatives in public office. Advocates of the  bill believe that its passage will help level the playing field and bring development in areas that have long been under control of only one family.

Critics have been saying that it is difficult to pass an anti-dynasty bill in Congress because a large number of lawmakers are members of so-called political dynasties.

It is not the first time that Aquino expressed support for the said bill.

In a radio interview last year, Aquino said members of the same family should not wield too much political power.

READ: Aquino backs anti-dynasty bill

He said it is difficult to have free and honest elections if one family controls the  economic, political and sometimes judiciary and security sectors. AU