VACC wants SC to prod Congress to act on anti-political dynasty bill

The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to compel Congress to act on a bill against political dynasties.

In their 26 page petition for mandamus, the members of the group said political dynasty should be prohibited because it is “inimical to the guarantee given to the citizens of the right to equal access to opportunities for public service.”

Petitioners said Congress has “wantonly neglected” to pass a law against political dynasty.

“We have waited too long. We can wait no longer,” petitioners said.

“We ask the Supreme Court to exercise its power granted to it by the Constitution to compel Congress to do its duty to pass a law prohibiting and defining political dynasty. Not by waiting for an indeterminate period of time but in the immediate present with dispatch and deliberate speed,” the petition stated.

Aside from VACC, joining the petition include former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, lawyers Eduardo Bringas, Vicente Velasquez and retired General Raymundo Jarque.