MANILA, Philippines - Former lawmaker Cynthia Villar sees nothing wrong with relatives running for different elective posts.
Speaking during the Cooperative Month Celebration in Iloilo province, Villar said it is a normal occurrence for children to take after their parents and follow their career choice.
She said children of doctors, lawyers and actors as examples, adding that it is the same with politicians.
Villar said it is unfair not to vote for candidates just because they have politicians as parents.
A politician should be voted because of their merit, not because of their lineage, Villar said.
Villar’s son Mark is congressman of the lone district of Las Piñas, while her husband Manny is a senator.
Earlier, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago filed Senate Bill 2649 providing that no spouse or person related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity could run in the same province in the same election.
Santiago said under the Constitution, “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
If an incumbent official holds a national position, under the bill, the politician’s relatives would be disqualified from running in the province where the official is a registered voter.
Candidates related in a similar prohibited degree would also be disqualified from running for any local elective office within the same province and election.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño also filed a similar bill in the House of Representatives.