Puno mum on anti-political dynasty provision in draft Charter

We will cross that bridge when we reach it.

This was the response of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno when asked about the plans of the Consultative Committee (Con-com) to review the 1987 Constitution if Congress rejects the body’s anti-dynasty provision in the draft federal Charter.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Puno was mum on the Con-com’s plan once Congress, sitting as constituent assembly, junks the anti-dynasty bill provision banning family members of up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity to simultaneously run or hold elective positions.

He, however, emphasized the importance of regulating political dynasties, which he said, have “desecrated” the essence of democracy.

“As studies have shown, these political dynasties have blocked the ingress to elective offices on the part of a lot of Filipinos, especially the young people,” Puno said.

“Studies have also shown that one consequence of their continuing, unbroken rule is the lack of accountability,” he added.

The Con-com last week voted to include the anti-political dynasty provision in the draft federal Charter. It states that immediate family members of up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of incumbent government officials from replacing them.

The provision also disallows members of one family to hold multiple positions or run simultaneously for different seats.

Puno said the provision is sine qua non, or a pre-requisite to the drafting of the new government’s federal structure as it is one of the major issues raised by critics against federalism.

READ: Puno: Political dynasties ‘desecrated’ democracy

According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte—whose daughter, Inday Sara, sits as Davao City mayor—has said that anti-political dynasty measures are undemocratic.

In 2016, Duterte created the Con-com through Executive Order No. 10 in a bid to change the country’s unitary form of government to federal system.     /muf