Another petition vs dynasties filed

MANILA, Philippines - A senatorial candidate has joined a petition urging the Supreme Court (SC) to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to implement a law against political dynasties.

Ricardo Penson, a road and building contractor running as an independent, has asked the high court to order the poll body to enforce the ban on political dynasties as provided under Article II Section 26 of the Constitution.

The provision declares, “the state guarantees equal access to opportunities of public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Penson, who launched last November his “Kontra Dynasty” movement, said there is a need for the high court to act on the issue since both chambers of Congress have failed to provide a clear definition to political dynasties and implement the ban.

In a 20-page petition filed yesterday, Penson claimed such a failure on the part of the Senate and the House – which he named respondents in the petition – is a clear violation of the right to procedural and substantive due process that deserves judicial action.

He said although there have been a few bills on political dynasties previously introduced in both houses of Congress, these have never been duly acted upon, and the introduction has become illusory and merely promoted false hopes.

He submitted to the SC a list of families he branded as “political dynasties,” including the Aquino clan in Tarlac.

Last October, a similar petition was filed by a group led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. The high court has yet to act on it.

Another petition was filed by taxpayer Louis Biraogo but the SC denied it with finality earlier this month for lack of merit.