Vice President Jejomar Binay. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — An anti-political dynasty crusader urged Vice President Jejomar Binay on Sunday to revisit the Constitution and rethink his position on the issue of political dynasty.
In a statement, Ricardo Penson, lead convenor of the Krusada Kontra Dynasty, said he found Binay’s position against moves to ban members of political dynasties from seeking public office “disturbing.”
“Perhaps, the Vice president must have forgotten that the constitutional ban on political dynasties was the overwhelming mandate of the Filipino people when it was ratified in 1987,” said Penson, an independent candidate in the 2013 Senate derby.
He stressed that the provision in the Constitution against political dynasties was a mandate given by the people 25 years ago, which the Congress unfortunately ignored to fulfill to this day.
Over the weekend, Binay said he didn’t believe in prohibiting dynasties especially if a candidate coming from a family perceived to be a dynasty was qualified to run and the people wanted him elected.
“The real spirit of democracy is the will of the people — vox populi,” stated Binay, whose daughter, Nancy has filed a candidacy for a Senate seat under the United Nationalist Alliance. He also added that proposals against dynasties were being pushed by people “who are perennial losers” in the elections.
“Vice President Binay’s statement is at the very least disturbing,” said Penson, who also urged the vice president to review the Constitution, particularly Article 2 Section 26.
Such provision states that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
Penson, a contractor, added that his group, Kontra would continue to pursue its campaign against political dynasties, which include asking the Supreme Court to review the constitutional provision and push for a people’s initiative to directly enact an anti-dynasty law.