Chiz Escudero: I won't block anti-political dynasty bills even if I'm a product of it

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Wednesday vowed not to block any proposed measure against political dynasties even though he is a "product" of it.

"Sinabi ko na ang posisyon ko sa anti-dynasty, dahil produkto ako n'yan, hindi ko haharangin 'yan...I took over from my dad’s former seat at the House of Representatives although I’m the first, last name Escudero in the Senate," Escudero said in a press conference.

(I have already stated my position on anti-dynasty. Because I'm a product of it, I won't block it.)

"Kung kailangan ng boto ko para mapasa 'yan, boboto ako dahil laban naman 'yun sa interes ko. Na makikialam ako sa pagbalangkas niyan ay klarong kasong conflict of interest. Rason para hindi ko panghimasukan maliban na lamang kung ang boto ko ay kinakailangan para maipasa 'yan. In which case that will be a vote against interest which is allowed by our laws in the Constitution," he added.

(If the time comes that they will need my vote to approve that bill, I will vote because that is against my interest. Intevening on the crafting of the bill is a clear case of conflict of interest. That's the reason why I will not meddle with the crafting of the bill. I will only participate when they need my vote. In which case, that will be a vote against interest which is allowed by our laws in the constitution.)

Escudero was asked about the issue of political dynasties amid the ongoing filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) where it was observed that several candidates in various positions are related to each other.

Despite Escudero's commitment, the Senate president believes that the an anti-political dynasty bill has a slim chance in the 19th Congress.

"Sa Kongresong ito, oo (In this Congress, yes). That would be a factual statement," Escudero said when asked if the anti-political dynasty bill has a slim chance in the current Congress.

"Maganda ngang makita sana 'yung mga nagsusulong nga nito’t naniniwala dito na pag-aralan, suriin kung ano nga ba 'yung tamang bersyon at formula na magbibigay ng laman dito sa konseptong ito dahil ang anti-dynasty ay konsepto lamang na binitiwan sa Saligang Batas," he said.

(It would be good to see those pushing for this to study, evaluate the right version and formula that will provide details to this because political dynasty is a concept provided in the Constitution.)

Escudero said there are too many issues that should be clarified in the proposals to ban political dynasties.

Among these are the elective positions that will be covered by the ban and the limits on the jurisdictions where the members of a family could run.  

"Ang assumption nila ay isang malaking sindikato ang lahat ng pamilya na hindi naman siguro ganun 'yun. Nakikita nating maraming magkakamag-anak sa eleksyong 'to at nagdaang eleksyon na naglalaban-laban, nag-aaway-away o paano kung may isang pasaway sino ang magpapasya n'un?" he said.

(The assumption is all families involved in politics is a big syndicate which, I think, is not the case. We can see that many families, in this and previous elections, argue or fight each other.)

"Ang assumption, mag-uusap-usap dapat silang pamilya, hindi nga magkaka-away nga. So sino ang magde-decide, Comelec, korte, anong institusyon o ahensya ang magpapasya ng bagay na 'yun? Ito ang mga katanungan na dapat sagutin ng panukalang batas na 'yan na marahil isang rason kung bakit hindi pa naipapasa ay hindi pa masagot 'yung mga tanong na 'yun," he added.

(The assumption is the family should talk it out but if they fight, who will intervene, the Comelec, court, other institutions? Those are the questions that should be addressed by the proposed measure. Maybe that is one of the reasons the anti-dynasty bill is yet to be passed.)

In July, Senator Robin Padilla filed a bill which seeks to provide an enabling law that would implement the 1987 Constitution's anti-dynasty provision.

Under the measure, no spouse or person related within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election, shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective office in the same city and/or province, or any party list in the same election

If the constituency of the incumbent elective official is national in character, the bill states that such relatives shall be disqualified from running only within the same province where the former is domiciled or in any, including the same, national position.

Padilla's bill proposed the filing of a sworn statement with the Commission on Elections stating that the candidate has no political dynasty relationship with any incumbent public official.

The measure also provides that candidates may face petition for disqualification before the Comelec on grounds of political dynasty.

No anti-political dynasty bill has reached the plenary of both Senate and House of Representatives this Congress, according to Escudero.—AOL, GMA Integrated News