Lawmaker presses House on political dynasties

Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Will a House of Representatives dominated by political dynasties ever craft an implementing law against them?

Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Tañada III on Tuesday urged his colleagues to begin discussions on political dynasties—come up with a definition, at least—amid snowballing criticisms on political families running in next year’s elections.

“For me, the House should not be afraid to call a hearing to discuss this or to at least attempt to define what a political dynasty is because it can be defined in so many ways,” he said in Filipino.

Asked how he defined political dynasties, he said he was still “studying” the matter. But he said spouses simultaneously occupying mayoral posts “would seem not right.” He also downplayed spouses sitting in the same Congress, as is apparently the case of An Waray Rep. Florencio Noel and Malabon Rep. Josephine Lacson-Noel.

“If they belong to different districts, if they are far, perhaps (it can be allowed),” he said. “That’s why it has to be discussed. We have to study all permutations because it’s really difficult (to define political dynasties).”

Ifugao Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said political power should not be “concentrated among the political elite.”