Consultative committee finalizes anti-dynasty provisions

MANILA, Philippines — The consultative committee (Concom) is finalizing the provisions regulating political dynasties under the new constitution.

Concom members met on Tuesday night and agreed to allow a political family to seek only two positions in the same election, but prohibited political families from seeking the same local or national position.  

“If the position being sought is the presidency, which is a national position, the relatives can run for any local position,” said lawyer Roan Libarios, national executive vice president of People’s National Movement for Federalism. 

Last Monday, the Concom voted to regulate political dynasties to give equal access to opportunities for public service.

Members also voted to prohibit political dynasties up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity. 

The coverage includes members of a political clan whose relationships “are legitimate, illegitimate, half or full blood, maintains or is capable of maintaining political control by succession or by simultaneously running for or holding elective positions.” 

“No person related to an incumbent elective official within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, as described above, can run for the same position in the immediately following election,” the Concom added.  

Candidates related within the second civil degree of consanguinity “are also prohibited from running simultaneously for more than one national and one regional or local position.” 

The Concom also provided Congress power to add prohibitions against political dynasties.