Padilla pushes passage of ‘toughest’ anti-dynasty bill

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Robinhood Padilla is calling for the passage of his proposed anti-political dynasty law, saying his version is the strictest and most comprehensive measure ever filed in Congress.

“It is time to end the inheritance of political power and return it to the people,” he said in a press release.

Filed in February, Padilla’s Senate Bill 1901 seeks to implement the 1987 Constitution’s mandate prohibiting political dynasties through an enabling law.

His proposal specifically imposes a total ban on spouses and relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously holding elective office within the same jurisdiction, immediately succeeding one another in office or circumventing the law through substitutions, appointments, resignations or party-list nominations.

It also covers common-law relationships and civil unions to prevent the use of technicalities to perpetuate political control.

“If we are serious about political reform, we cannot merely pay lip service to the fight against political dynasties. This has long been enshrined in our Constitution, yet for almost 40 years, no implementing law has been enacted,” he said.

“Government power should not be treated as an inheritance passed on to a spouse, child, sibling or relative. Public service is not a family business but a responsibility to the people,” he added.

According to Padilla, the bill is the toughest anti-political dynasty measure filed in Congress because it closes loopholes commonly exploited to retain political control, including succession by relatives, party-list substitutions and the use of common-law relationships to evade restrictions.

“True democracy is not inherited. It must be earned and entrusted by the people through free and fair elections,” he said.

The measure also requires candidates and party-list nominees to submit sworn declarations on their familial relationships, authorizes the Commission on Elections to cancel certificates of candidacy for violations and imposes election offense penalties on those who falsify information or deliberately evade the law.

Padilla expressed hope that the bill would finally gain enough support in Congress and pave the way for broader political participation, particularly among young leaders, professionals, women and ordinary Filipinos seeking to enter public service.