Legislator wants Aquino’s backing vs dynasties

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice. PHOTO BY RICHARD REYES

MANILA, Philippines—An ally of President Aquino has asked him to help ensure the passage of the antipolitical dynasty bill by declaring the measure that could result in the disqualification of the members of many prominent political clans from running in future elections as a priority bill.

Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice wrote to the President last Monday, explaining that Congress has to pass an antidynasty law because of the constitutional provision that says it is the state’s duty to guarantee equal opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

Erice is one of the authors of the antidynasty bill which hurdled the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms for the first time last year. It is so far the farthest that the measure has gone in Congress.

In seeking Aquino’s support, Erice said previous attempts to pass a bill to prevent the rise of political dynasties had failed to prosper because of political maneuverings.

“While several bills of similar import had been filed in the past, these were never acted upon during the previous Congresses through the manipulation of unscrupulous politicians,” he said in his letter.

That’s why he wanted the President’s support for the enactment of the proposal by declaring it a priority bill.

The antipolitical dynasty bill has been included in the House’s order of business. The next step is for the measure to be sponsored on the floor by Rep. Fredenil Castro, the chair of the suffrage committee, before the debates and amendments can begin.

Castro earlier said that the bill would face an uphill battle in Congress.

Erice earlier said the approval of the bill should complement reforms brought about by the Supreme Court’s abolition of the congressional pork barrel.

He also warned that if the antidynasty bill is not approved, the country may see a scenario where it could have a President who has an offspring in the Senate, another in the House of Representatives, and another serving as mayor.

Such a scenario would compromise the independence of the government’s legislative branch, he said.