SC asked to order Congress to enact law against political dynasties

MANILA, Philippines—Senatorial hopeful Ricardo Penson asked the Supreme Court to compel both the Senate and the House of Representatives to enact a law that would prohibit political dynasties.

In a 20-page petition, Penson said while the 1987 Constitution, particularly Section 26 prohibits political dynasties, such provision is not self-executing thus there need to be a law enacted to define “political dynasties.”

However, Penson said it has been over 20 years since the Constitution took effect, but Congress has yet to enact a law against political dynasty.

“Although there have been a few bills on political dynasties, previously introduced in both houses of Congress, these have never been duly acted upon, with the end in view of having them enacted.”

“The introduction has thus become illusory and merely promotive of false hopes. And, though the officers and members of the respondents have taken oaths to uphold and defend the constitution…respondents, however have thus far failed and continue to fail, to perform their duties and comply with the mandate of the Constitution resulting to an abrogation of their sacred duty, which, unless remedied, the constitutional provision will continue to remain pure rhetoric and the noble objectives behind its institution merely illusory,” Penson said.