Koko Pimentel vows to fight dynasties

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has vowed to take up the uphill battle in Congress to enact a law that would ban political dynasties should he be reelected.

But until such law is passed, the lawyer-senator stuck to being legalistic when asked for his opinion on candidates whose families have been occupying elective positions for decades.

“This is politics, the voice of the people. If the people accept them, the people already say it’s ethical. Is it legal or not? Is there a law prohibiting it? For now no law prohibits it. So what can I say? I can’t say anything. There’s no law. They are not violating any law,” Pimentel told Inquirer editors and reporters Tuesday night.

He said he’s about “70 to 80 percent” done crafting his version of an antipolitical dynasty bill, admitting he was having a hard time defining which “dynastic combinations” among incumbent officials and candidates and the elective positions should be prohibited.

“Congress should define what a political dynasty is. I will try to finish my draft. If I get re-elected I can file this, or if I should lose I will give this to other legislators if they want a draft on antipolitical dynasties,” Pimentel said.—Dona Z. Pazzibugan