Reynato Puno: 'Anti-dynasty provision crucial to federalism'

MANILA, Philippines — Former chief justice and consultative committee chairman Reynato Puno will withdraw his support for federalism should Congress remove the anti-political dynasty provision in the constitution that the Concom has drafted. 

Talking to “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News, Puno said he is unsure of the fate of their draft charter in Congress, but stressed the anti-political dynasty provision should be taken into consideration.

“I am not sure about that, but I am on record that if this anti-dynasty provision will be taken out, I will not support federalism,” Puno said when asked if he is confident that the anti-political dynasty provision would be retained. 

Puno was previously reluctant to answer questions on whether he will still push for federalism if the provision is taken out.

Puno replied in the affirmative when asked if the anti-political dynasty provision is a deal breaker.

Should Congress pass and approve the draft charter without the anti-political dynasty provision, Puno said Filipinos could just reject the entire constitution.

“If con-ass (constituent assembly) will pass this kind of constitution without the provision on political dynasty, the public can always reject the constitution – that’s the sovereignty of the people,” he said. 

Puno previously said the anti-political dynasty provision “will be beyond compromise” as he called it a “fundamental predicate” of the draft charter. 

He explained the anti-political dynasty provision is important in a federal state as powers will be given to various leaders in the federated regions. This means the provision will stop the same political clans from monopolizing power in the regions.  

“We will be giving a lot of powers to different regions and so the implication is that you cannot give this sovereign powers to political dynasties. Otherwise, our government will be in the worst situation,” he said.

During the interview with “The Chiefs,” Puno emphasized the importance of a federal system of government, saying it is the answer to all unresolved problems for several decades that the 1987 Constitution has left unresolved. 

He said federalism is the answer to the country’s development in terms of economic and political settings since there is an equal allocation of powers between the federal government and the federated regions. 

The 22-man Concom approved last month a presidential form of federal system, which means the country will still be led by a president and vice president. 

Puno said the Philippines is not yet ready for a parliamentary federal system, citing the current politicians the country has. 

“Very frankly, I would like to think that episode (last Monday’s change of leadership in Congress) showcases the political system that we have. The political parties that are existing in the Philippines and I’d like to believe that is ‘Exhibit A’ against a parliamentary form of government,” he said. 

He said the country will only be ready for a parliamentary form of government if the Philippines has achieved or developed political parties that are ideologically driven. 

Puno, who was present during President Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, said he is satisfied by the President’s pronouncements on the Concom’s proposal even if it was not officially endorsed to Congress. 

He said the office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and presidential spokesman Harry Roque have informed him that a massive information campaign will be held so that the people will better understand federalism. 

Roque said an interagency task force was created to conduct an information drive on federalism. He said the task force met two days ago to discuss strategies on how to educate the public about federalism. 

“I can confirm that there is an inter-governmental task force created and we had met already,” Roque said at a press briefing yesterday in Zamboanga Sibugay. 

Roque said the task force was created following a recent poll suggesting that a majority of Filipinos do not support moves to amend the Constitution. 

“We will bring down our dissemination to the level of the barangay. We will focus on training the trainers and we will utilize mass media as well for this dissemination,” he added. 

A big hurdle

While expressing confidence that newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will support the federal charter, Puno said the “Senate really is the big hurdle” in the shift to federalism. 

“The Senate is an impediment to the realization of federalism,” Puno said. 

He said there are senators who are not inclined to join the con-ass while some believe that it is not the right time to shift to federalism. 

Some of the senators, however, are supporting the proposal to remove political dynasties.

Plenary deliberations on the measure started on Wednesday with the sponsorship of Senate Bill 1765 on the floor by principal authors Sens. Joseph Victor Ejercito and Francis Pangilinan.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III expect the bill’s quick passage in the chamber.

“We have to stress here that the question of whether or not dynasties are good for the country is immaterial because the Constitution mandates that Congress must define by law political dynasty that it should be, ought to be prohibited,” Pangilinan said.

“Let us be the Congress that will put an end to this exclusionary type of political leadership and open the electoral playing field to more of our citizens,” he said.

Ejercito, who comes from a political family, said he pushed for the bill to give a chance to others who are qualified and want to serve but do not have the long-established connections or name recall.

Ejercito, who authored the anti-political dynasty provision in the Sanggguniang Kabataan Reform Law, said close ties are a distinct attribute of a Filipino family, which is the basic unit of society “and everything revolves around it.”

However, the extended family system has found its pernicious effects in the political arena where public office has become the exclusive domain of influential families and clans, the senator said.

“Close family ties become a liability when used to maintain power and influence, as in political dynasties at the expense of the public. When misused, it could lead to nepotism and corruption in public service and destablilize the social equilibrium,” Ejercito said.

The minority

Some of the congressmen, particularly those in the minority bloc, will certainly be against federalism and no elections, according to Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza.

“We will fight federalism and no-el (no elections) at every turn and every corner,” Atienza said in a television interview.

“A federal form of government is not the answer to our problems. It will just fragment our country. If they want to give more power to the regions and provinces, strengthening local autonomy, which the present Constitution mandates, is the answer,” he said.

Atienza said former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s obstinate advocacy of no-el led to his ouster on Monday.

“The people, who are looking forward to the holding of elections as scheduled in May next year, were laughing at us. They thought we shared his no-el proposal,” he added.

In a separate radio interview, 1-Pacman Rep. Michael Romero said no-el is unpopular even among members of the new majority of newly installed Speaker Arroyo.

“We in the Party-list Coalition, for instance, are opposed to scrapping the 2019 elections. We have conveyed that to our new Speaker, and she’s also against no-el,” Romero said.

Romero, however, said he and his colleagues in the majority would support federalism.– With Jess Diaz, Paolo Romero, Alexis Romero, Delon Porcalla