Koko wants stricter measure than regulating political dynasty

Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III has frowned upon the decision of the Consultative Committee (Con-com) to regulate political dynasties in the country as he expressed on Wednesday preference for a “stricter version” like a total ban on dynastic succession.

Pimentel said he did not agree with the term “regulate” when distant relatives of an incumbent official are still allowed to run for public office.

Voting 10-9 on Monday, Con-com ruled in favor of regulating, instead of completely banning political dynasties in the country. The body decided to prohibit an incumbent official’s relatives—from the first and second degrees of consanguinity and affinity—from running for public office.

READ: No ban: Con-Com seeks regulation of political dynasties

Relatives with first degree of consanguinity, or relationship by blood, are parents and children while grandparents, brothers or sisters, and grandchildren fall within the second degree.

“Sa degree agree pero disagree na yata ako dun sa they used the term regulate because they will allow a certain ‘X’ number of related people to run. Eh sana strict version na lang,” Pimentel said in an interview at the Senate.

(I would agree with the provision on the degree but I disagree with the term regulate because they will allow a certain X number of related people to run. It is better to have strict version.)

Asked then if he favors total ban on political dynasties, the Senate leader said: “Total ban pag pasok ka sa prohibited degree of relationship. Huwag na yung palambot-lambot pa na you will allow two members of the clan, three members of the clan. Bakit pa?

(Never to be lame about this when it comes allowing two members of the clan, three members of the clan. Why is it so?)

“Ang importante dito [what’s important here] the degree of relationship and what kind of arrangement or set up or scenario are we prohibiting,” he added.

But for him, Pimentel said, the most “realistic” and “logical” was to prohibit the dynastic succession.

“Pwede kasing walang dynastic situation. Tumakbo yung mag kamag-anak at the same time hindi sila incumbent. Nanalo sila, kasalanan ba nila yun?”

(Without dynastic situation is possible. Both relative are running at the same time, they are not incumbent. Both of them won, is that their fault?)

“Succession ang pinaka logical na dapat i-ban natin because inihahanda na ni relative yung second relative to succeed him or her in office. Therefore, ang assumption natin the incumbent now is using the resources and the powers of the present office to prepare a relative. Yun ang pagbawalan po natin,” the Senate leader said.

His father, former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel Jr. is a member of the 25-man committee tasked by President Rodrigo Duterte to review the 1987 Constitution. /jpv

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