Bicam committee deletes proposed BBL’s anti-political dynasty provision

The bicameral conference committee tasked to harmonize Congress’ versions of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), has deleted the bill’s anti-political dynasty provision, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Monday.

Article VII Section 15 of Senate Bill 1717 states that “no Party Representative should be related within the second (2nd) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to a District Representative or another Party Representative in the same Parliament.”

The lower chamber’s version of the BBL, House Bill 6475, does not have an anti-political dynasty provision.

Escudero and Drilon said the panel, composed of 29 senators and congressmen, has struck down the provision.

However, Drilon said the provision was “useless” in the first place because it does not really curb dynastic behaviors.

“The adoption of the supposed Anti-dynasty provision in the Senate version was strongly opposed by some members of the panel. As a form of protest, I did not argue and push for its adoption anymore because the provision, as crafted, is useless,” Drilon said in a message to reporters.

“It is a much weaker provision than that provided in the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) law. Such provision will not really curb dynastic behaviors. In fact, it is a hypocritical provision, toothless to address the ill effects of dynasties. We might as well do away with it,” he added.

The Minority Leader said what “we need is a strong regulation of dynasties applicable to all public officers.”

“I already signed a committee report regulating it,” he added.

Escudero said the provision was deleted because it “applies only to party-list reps and not to the other members of parliament or other officials of the Bangsamoro.”

“It is, therefore, selective, discriminatory and ineffective per the Bicam,” Escudero said in a message to reporters.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, one of the chairs of the committee, earlier defended the anti-dynasty provision as essential to the Bangsamoro.   /vvp

READ: Zubiri defends anti-political dynasty provision under Senate’s version of BBL