In his remaining months in office, President Aquino made a pitch for what could be the near-impossible, calling for Congress to finally pass an antidynasty bill that would hit friend and foe alike.
An antidynasty bill would bar family members of incumbent officials from running for elective posts, something that is anathema to well-entrenched political clans who have held on to these offices for decades.
Aquino also sought lawmakers’ support anew for the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, which is also facing difficulty in Congress because of the killing of 44 elite police commandos in the hands of Muslim rebels during an antiterror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
What was not mentioned in Aquino’s speech, to the disappointment of his allies who are anticorruption advocates, was the freedom of information bill.
In asking for an antidynasty bill, Aquino recalled that he had once objected to the idea of depriving a person of the right to seek an elective post because of his or her family name.
But now he realized that “there is something wrong in giving corrupt families or individuals the opportunity to enjoy political power for life.”
It was because of this that he rejected proposals to amend the Constitution so he could extend his term of office, even if for just three years.
There is no telling how future leaders would use the extra lease to be given to them, he said.
“We cannot be sure if the intentions of those who follow us are pure, if they would want to rule for life for their selfish interest,” he said.
“It is time an antidynasty law is passed,” he said.
His request did not draw unanimous applause from the legislators sitting in the audience. A good number of lawmakers who faced him directly sat stoically as he made his call.
The loudest cheers were heard from the galleries, where guests sat.
If an antidynasty bill is approved, several families in power would be affected, including the Binays, the Cayetanos and the Estradas. The President himself has relatives in elective office, including his cousin, Sen. Paolo Benigno Aquino.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, an administration ally, said an antidynasty bill would face an uphill climb in the Senate.
“I am supporting that, but it is extremely difficult to pass it. I do not know how, if it’s passed, in what shape or form,” he said.
In calling for the approval of the draft BBL, Aquino said critics of the measure had the obligation to suggest a better solution to bring peace to Mindanao.
“If you have no alternative to present, you are guaranteeing that change will not be achieved. How many more lives do we have to sacrifice so everyone will wake up to this duty to change the dire situation in Muslim Mindanao?” he said.
He followed this up with a video presentation on the hardships that people in Mindanao face and the benefits they have enjoyed as a result of government programs in their regions.