Pangilinan: Political dynasties cause for concern if federalism pushes through

MANILA, Philippines — The rise of more political families would be a serious cause for concern if the government pushes through the shift to federalism, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said Monday.

To address this issue, the Senate is making efforts to pass anti-political dynasty bill before discussing the proposed amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

"We are proceeding in a parallel effort of hearing the anti-dynasty bills that have been filed in the Senate so that we can see... Meron kasing panawagan din na to show your sincerity, you pass the anti-dynasty bill first," Pangilinan told ANC's Headstart.

There have been concerns raised that political families would monopolize the local economy and local politics if the government will shift from a unity to a federal form.

"When there is a monopoly, chances are your development will not be sustainable because only a few are benefitting and that's why you have so much poverty," Pangilinan said.

Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza earlier warned that federalism will weaken and fragment the nation.

Mendoza stressed that a federal form of government would intensify regional differences and would encourage the rise of village tyrants and village dictators.

"We want to break up dynasties we cannot seem to end... How much more if you break up this country into more or less autonomous units, each one to be ruled by a village tyrant?" Mendoza said during the Senate hearing on Charter change last week.

The framers of the 1987 Constitution shared the same sentiments on opposing the proposed shift to federalism.

"Federalism, moreover, would reinforce the power of political dynasties and landed elites or existing dominant groups, encourage the rise of warlords in different regions, undermine the rule of law and threaten the workings of democratic societies," the framers of the 1987 Constitution said in a statement.

Several anti-political dynasty bills have been filed before the Senate two years ago. Sen. Franklin Drilon's SB 230, Sen. Panfilo Lacson's SB 49 and Sen. Grace Poe's SB 1137 have all been pending in the committee level since 2016.