Antidynasty provision in Cha-cha bill bucked

Lawmakers on Tuesday described a proposed antidynasty provision in the draft amendments to the 1987 Constitution as “antidemocratic,” as it bars members of the same family from running in elections.

“In a democracy, it is the inherent right of a person to run and be elected … The positions [are] not appointed,” said Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio Albano, vice chair of the Interagency Task Force on Constitutional Reforms, whose brother is the incumbent governor of Isabela.—MELVIN GASCON