Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER.net / CATHY MIRANDA
Senate President Vicente Sotto III heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday after a provision that would have allowed “mistresses” to run in public office has been stricken off the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
On Monday, the bicameral committee tasked to harmonize the two versions of the BBL rejected the anti-dynasty provision, which was only contained in Senate Bill 1717 but in the House of Representatives’ version of the BBL or House Bill 6475.
READ: Bicam committee deletes proposed BBL’s anti-political dynasty provision
“I’m glad they removed it,” Sotto said in a text message to reporters Tuesday.
“Otherwise we will be disenfranchising the legitimate family members while mistresses and their relatives will be allowed instead because they do not classify under the second degree of consanguinity,” he explained.
Article VII Section 15 of the Senate’s version reads, “No Party Representative should be related within the second (2nd) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to a District Representative or another Party Representative in the same Parliament.”
Senate Minority Franklin Drilon earlier said he did not push for the Senate version “as a form of protest,” saying the provision as crafted was “useless” anyway.
“I did not argue and push for its adoption anymore because the provision, as crafted, is useless. It is a much weaker provision than that provided in the SK law. Such provision will not really curb dynastic behaviors,” Drilon said in a separate text message.
“In fact, it is a hypocritical provision, toothless to address the ill effects of dynasties. We might as well do away with it,” he added.
Drilon said what the people need is “a strong regulation of dynasties applicable to all public officers.”
He said he has signed a committee report on a measure, regulating dynasties. /jpv