‘People can dismantle political dynasties through Cha-cha’

MANILA, Philippines - If there is not enough time and will in Congress to pass an enabling law to ban political dynasties, the people themselves could dismantle the well-entrenched families in the coming May 2013 senatorial elections, and through Charter change, administration lawmakers said yesterday.

Citizens’ Battle Against Crime and Corruption (CIBAC) party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna said a good voters’ education program could work, at least in the meantime, in the effort to dismantle political dynasties as Congress has yet to pass an enabling law for the same since the ratification of the Constitution in 1987.

For his part, Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said if the Constitution would be amended to implement the peace pact with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the provision on political dynasties should also be reviewed and strengthened.

The lawmakers issued the statement even as leaders of the Senate admitted Friday there is little time left for them to tackle and approve Senate Bill 2649 filed by Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago seeking to ban political dynasties.

“It would be great to have an Anti-Dynasty Law to eradicate the pernicious practice of feudalism in our government. But I believe the people themselves can do this on their own,” Tugna said.

“We can legislate a law in Congress but I doubt if it would ever be passed, as the people who will work on it are also members of a dynasty. Any reaction you would get from them would always be just lip service,” he said.

Tugna urged Filipinos qualified to vote to register with the Commission on Elections and exercise their right to suffrage in the coming polls.

“If they are already tired and do not want to have the same faces and families serving them, then they should participate in the coming election and cast their vote. The people themselves can end political dynasties by participating in the elections,” Tugna said.

“An Anti-Dynasty Law would definitely be a welcome measure if ever it passes. But for the meantime, the people can end political dynasties by election participation and voters education,” he said.

Dismantling political dynasties is not about ending the service that some families have offered the public, Tugna said.

“It is about leveling the playing field for everyone who wants to be of service to the nation. Political dynasties serve as power bases which only cater to an elite few,” he said.

“A just and humane society should always uphold the elements of equality so that each person is entitled to equal opportunities in any field,” he added.

Tugna said the times are changing and Filipinos want to get involved more in politics, especially in the elections.

He said the people are becoming more and more aware that the country needs leaders who can address the pressing problems and can help steer the nation towards progress.

“Social media is a very powerful tool in educating the voters, especially the youth. We just need a little more push and a little more involvement so that we get the leaders that our nation needs,” Tugna said.

Evardone said Article 2, Section 26 of the Constitution, which states that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law,” can be amended and clearly ban and define political dynasties without leaving it to Congress to implement.

He said the framers of the Constitution should have adopted an unequivocal position on the issue.

“Given the present composition of Congress, I doubt if the bill banning political dynasties will be passed,” Evardone said.