Antipolitical dynasty bill may not be ‘far-fetched’ after SK law—Drilon

Senate President Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

The signing into law of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), which contains a landmark provision prohibiting political dynasties, proves that the passage of an anti-political dynasty law is achievable in the near future, Senate President Franklin Drilon said on Friday.

Drilon said the new SK Reform Act or RA 10742, signed into law by President Benigno Aquino III last January 15, “is a great start towards finally realizing an Anti-Political Dynasty Law, the passage of which has been long overdue.”

READ: Gov’t execs’ relatives now barred from seeking SK posts

“We just saw that an anti-political dynasty provision is possible, so it may not be too far-fetched for us now to work on an anti-political dynasty bill as envisioned by our Constitution,” he said in a statement.

“This new law shows that there is a good chance that the Congress can pass a legislation which will execute the express policy of the 1987 Constitution on the prohibition of political dynasties,” he added.

Drilon noted that the new law is the first Philippine law that in part realizes Section 26 of the Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution, which prohibits political dynasties.

Section 26 of the Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Furthermore, the Senate leader said that shielding the country’s youth- oriented government posts from the influence of political dynasties was an important and necessary important electoral reform.

“Considering the sensitive and formative nature of the Sangguniang Kabataan in training future leaders across this nation, it is only apt that we remove them from the undemocratic aspects of public service in this country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Drilon then urged other supporters of the anti-political dynasty law “to be even more emboldened in finally putting teeth to a law which will deepen our democratic practices and end dynastic and feudal tendencies in governance across the country.”

Drilon assured the public that he will remain among the biggest supporters of the initiative towards an anti-political dynasty law and that “any measure in the Senate on the matter will enjoy the support of the Senate leadership.”

READ: Solons laud signing of ‘antipolitical dynasty’ SK law

In the Senate, a version of the anti-political dynasty law is in the works at the Senate committee on electoral reforms being headed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III.

Currently the third-highest official of the land, Drilon is also at present the highest-ranking Filipino public servant without a single immediate and extended family member in an elected position, except for a distant second cousin, Iloilo Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. RAM