CALOOCAN City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice urged his colleagues at the House of Representatives to pass an anti-political dynasty law.
In August of this year, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress has a mandatory constitutional duty to enact such a law and that its failure to do so for 39 years constituted a grave abuse of discretion. The Court directed Congress to act with utmost urgency.
Erice said that in his privilege speech late last week, he criticized Congress for keeping Filipinos waiting for so long to fulfill a constitutional mandate.
”Why has an enabling law taken almost four decades?” Erice said.
He cited Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, which provides that the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
He said the difficulty lies in the fact that it would affect many lawmakers whose family members hold government positions.
”The Constitution asked Congress to make a law that may limit our own families, our own political machinery, our own power,” Erice said.
”It is easy to become or play a reformist when the ones affected are your opponents. But the real test of delicadeza is this: When the Constitution tells you to reduce your own power, will you obey?” he added.
Erice questioned whether elections alone guarantee equal political competition when one candidate has financial resources, political machinery and relatives in power.
Erice said his two children had chosen not to enter politics despite having opportunities to do so.
”The best inheritance I can give them is not a congressional seat, not political machinery, not a title. What I can give them is a strong principle of service,” Erice said.
He urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to push for the enactment of an anti-political dynasty law.
The House has already passed House Bill 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, on third and final reading. The measure was transmitted to the Senate on June 8, while Senate Bill 1901 is pending on second reading.
The House version covers spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity in specified circumstances involving the simultaneous or successive holding of elective office.
