Belmonte files anti-dynasty bill

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has filed a bill that seeks to carry out the constitutional provision banning political dynasties in the country.

He is proposing that only two members of a family be allowed to run or hold public office at the same time.

In Bill 166, Belmonte cited Section 26 of Article II of the Constitution which provides: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Congress has failed to pass such a law 30 years after the people ratified the Constitution.

“The present political landscape is witness to influential politicians and their families maintaining positions of power for a considerable time,” he said.

“This concentration of political power and public resources within the control of a few families has led to the creation of dynastic reigns by different political families in all levels, from the barangay to the provinces,” he added.

He noted that political dynasties make it difficult for other citizens to seek public office.

“It is thus incumbent upon the House of Representatives and the Senate to provide an enabling law defining political dynasties to allow people who do not belong to political families to serve the public,” Belmonte stressed.

Under his bill, a political dynasty “refers to the concentration, consolidation or perpetuation of public office and political power by persons related to one another.”

“A political dynasty exists when three or more individuals who are related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity hold or run for national or local office in simultaneous or overlapping terms,” the measure states.

The measure further provides that “second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall include the relatives of a person who may be the latter’s brother, sister, grandchildren and grandparents, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, including their spouses.”

In case more than two members of a political dynasty seek public office, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) shall determine who will run through a raffle or drawing of lots among such aspirants.

The Comelec, on its own or upon petition by a voter, would be mandated to disqualify candidates from political dynasties. The poll body would also be mandated to issue implementing rules and regulations.

Lifting term limits, con-con proposed

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr., meanwhile, is proposing the lifting of term limits for lawmakers and local government officials under the federal system that President Duterte envisions for the country.

He filed a bill which asks Congress to convene a constitutional convention (con-con) to work on constitutional amendments that would pave the way for the planned shift to federalism.

Rodriguez said the con-con should consider the following political amendments: shift from the unitary system of government to a federal system, shift from presidential to parliamentary, shift from a bicameral legislature to a unicameral parliament and a change in the term of office of lawmakers or members of parliament and local officials from three years to four years without limit to their reelection.

The Constitution limits senators to two consecutive terms of six years each and members of the House of Representatives and local officials to three continuous terms of three years each.