MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Chiz Escudero assured the public on Wednesday that he would not block the passage of a law that would prohibit political dynasties in the country.
“Dahil produkto ako nyan, hindi ko haharangin ‘yan. Kung kailangan ng boto ko para mapasa ‘yan, boboto ako dahil laban naman ‘yun sa interest ko,” Escudero said at a press briefing in the Senate when asked about the chances of a passing an anti-political dynasty law in Congress.
(Because I am a product of that, I won’t block it. If my vote is needed to pass that, I will vote for it because it goes against my interests.)
“Na makikiaalam ako sa pagbalangakas nyan ay klarong kaso ng conflict of interest para hindi ko dapat panghimasukan maliban na lamang kung ang boto ay kinakailangan para mapasa ‘yan (To get involved in the drafting of that would clearly be a case of conflict of interest, so I shouldn’t intervene unless my vote is needed to pass it).
“In which case, that would be a vote against interest which is allowed by our laws and the Constitution,” he further said.
The issue of whether there was a need to pass the law cropped up anew amid the observation that many among those filing the certificate of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections belong to political clans.
The 1987 Constitution already bans political dynasties, but a law is still needed to enforce this prohibition.
READ: Robin Padilla files anti-political dynasty bill
Escudero, however, noted that there has been a long debate on the definition of political dynasties as well as the rules needed to implement the law.
“Ang assumption nila ay isang malaking sindikato ang lahat ng pamilya na hindi naman siguro ganun ‘yun,” he said.
(Their assumption is that all families are part of a large syndicate, which probably isn’t the case.)
“Nakikita natin maraming mga magkakamag-anak sa eleksyong ito at nagdaang election na naglalaban, nagaaway-away. O pano ‘pag may isang pasaway? Sinong magpapasya nun?” he asked.
(We see many relatives competing against each other in this election and in past elections, often fighting among themselves. So, what happens if there’s a troublemaker? Who will decide then?)
“Ang assumption niyo maguusap dapat silang pamilya. E hindi nga, magkakaway nga e. So sinong ang magde-decide? Comelec (Commission on Elections)? Korte? Anong institution o ahensya ang magpapasya nung bagay na yun?”
(You assume that they should be able to talk as a family. But that’s not the case; they’re actually fighting. So, who will decide? Comelec? The courts? Which institution or agency will make that decision?)
These are just among the many questions that he said still need answers from those pushing for the anti-political dynasty law.
NOTE: The English translations in the article were AI-generated.