Antidynasty bill begins slog through Senate

Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

A committee version of the antipolitical dynasty bill is in the works in the Senate, with Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, chair of the electoral reforms committee, coming up soon with a final draft of the measure.

The draft would need the support of at least eight committee members before it could be sent to the plenary, said Pimentel, adding that he would devote the next two weeks in gathering the necessary signatures.

“Whether or not there is a certification (of urgency from President Aquino), I will start the process, I will start the ball rolling,” Pimentel said, expressing optimism there was time to tackle the bill before the President’s term ends in 2016.

The senator said he favored a “stricter” version of the bill, one that would allow only one member of a family to hold elective office, even if such a bill would affect many incumbent officials.

“I’m sure not all of them would mind,” he told reporters. “It is OK with the others because this is the call of the times.”

Senate President Franklin Drilon said he was “100 percent” supportive of the antidynasty bill, but admitted it would not be easy to get it through the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“There is a need to push it,” he said.

Sen. Francis Escudero said that while there was still a chance to pass the antidynasty bill, he wished that President Aquino’s call for support for it had come earlier as Congress was now pressed for time.

The Commission of Elections also welcomed the President’s push for the passage of an antidynasty bill, saying it could finally lead to some serious discussions and solid legislation on the issue. With a report from Nathaniel R. Melican