SC asked to compel Congress to enact anti-political dynasty laws

A group of lawyers has asked the Supreme Court to direct the Senate and the House of Representatives to enact a law that prohibits political dynasties.

In a 46-page petition, lawyers Rico Domingo, Wilfredo Trinidad, Jorge Cabildo, and Ceasar Oracion argued that it is mandatory for Congress to pass a law prohibiting political dynasties under the 1987 Constitution.

“The prohibition of political dynasties is a declared state policy. But for 37 long years since the Constitution was adopted by the Filipino People, that momentous policy has lain dormant,” the petitioners said.

“As such, Petitioners take the stand that the Honorable Supreme Court, pursuant to the powers vested to it by law, can and should issue a Writ of Mandamus to compel Congress to perform that duty,” they added.

The petitioners cited Section 26, Article II of the Constitution which states that “the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Named respondents in the petition are Congress, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri in his capacity as Senate president, and Speaker Martin Romualdez in his capacity as speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The Petition brings to the attention of the High Court what it characterizes as a ‘monumental omission, a deplorable and egregious neglect of Congress to perform an express duty’,” the petitioners said in a statement.

According to the lawyers, there had been well-meaning efforts by some legislators but records do not show that any bill against political dynasties has been passed into law.

“Meantime, since the prohibition remains in a moribund state, political dynasties continue to proliferate,” they said.

But for some lawmakers who come from political families, neither the Supreme Court nor the law should limit people's choices on who they want to elect as public servants.

“The electorate is wise when it comes to choosing who to elect. They can properly decide who is or who is not capable of doing the job. And let us not forget, we always subject ourselves to referendum when we seek reelection,” Quezon congressman Jay-jay Suarez, whose father Danilo Suarez also represented the province in the House, said in a press conference.

“The election is a good place to know if you are performing below or above average, and if your constituency still wants you there,” he added.

Lanao del Sur lawmaker Zia Adiong, whose brother Mamintal "Bombit" Alonto Adiong Jr. is also the incumbent Lanao del Sur governor, said surnames should not disqualify individuals from running for public office.

“I believe in the democratic process. The more options we have, the better. I don’t find it appealing that you would disqualify certain individuals on the basis of blood relations,” he said.

La Union legislator Paolo Ortega, for his part, said what the Philippines has is not a dynasty but democracy.

“It is not a direct political dynasty because we elect them [public officials]. That is political democracy,” said Ortega, whose first-degree relatives are also occupying elective posts in their province.

“People can see your output. At kapag hindi ka gusto ng tao, hindi ka nila iboboto [And if they don't like you, they won't vote for you],” Ortega added. — with Llanesca T. Panti/KBK/RF/BM, GMA Integrated News