Miriam hits Binay for opposing anti-dynasty bill

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago assailed Vice President Jejomar Binay yesterday for opposing the proposed anti-political dynasties bill as well as the proponents of the measure.

During plenary debates on the proposed P2-trillion national budget for 2013, Santiago aired her disgust over recent reports that Binay was quoted as saying that the anti-political dynasties measures were only being pushed by people who are perennial losers in elections.

“Minamaliit ninyo ginawa ko e. Ano gusto ninyo mangyari? Nasa saligang batas yan e (You are belittling my work. What is your intention here? This is in the Constitution.) That’s no longer a question of policy. That has been settled,” Santiago said.

Binay was not present to defend himself but through a manifestation by his staff, which was relayed by Senate finance committee chairman Franklin Drilon, it was reiterated that the stand of the Vice President is to let the people decide on the fate of people who belong to so-called dynasties.

In an earlier interview, Binay said that there should be no prohibition against anyone who wants to run for office, especially by virtue of the existence of his or her relatives who are either holding office already or who intend to run.

He said that the matter should be left for the people to decide through their votes.

Santiago said Binay’s position is wrong because the Constitution has clearly stated that political dynasties are not acceptable in the country and that a law must be passed to enforce this provision.

“That is wrong, I take the liberty of correcting the Vice President’s belief. He has no business staying in government if that is his belief,” Santiago said.

“We know that the Constitution cannot be changed, it is a permanent document. And whether it’s grammatical or unethical or downright false or incorrect, you cannot change it, unless you follow the procedure for amending the Constitution,” she added.

If Binay was referring to her as one of those perennial losers who are pushing for the anti-political dynasties bill, Santiago emphasized that she lost the presidential elections in 1992 only in the counting of votes but not on the actual voting itself.

“That will be my stand until the day I die,” Santiago said.

But for someone like the Vice President to issue those statements about the proponents of the anti-political dynasties bill, Santiago made it clear that she would not take it sitting down.

“I filed an anti-dynasty bill. Don’t you think that a senator who did something like that would be hurt when you say that it is the perennial losers who file these bills?” Santiago said.