In a country filled with governing corrupted families, the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill is bound to save the common people from them. However, the version of House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos and House Speaker Bojie Dy seems to side with the villains, keeping the people wrapped around their fingers.
In section 5 of the bill, simplifying that any person with a political dynasty relationship shall not hold any elective position in the same level of political jurisdiction (national, house of representative, governor, etc) and in the same geographical scope—meaning, multiple relatives can still file candidacy, however, just not in the same level of government or location. This may allow political families to scatter to maintain their influence.
Considering situations, if a family is born to lead, then one family man should be enough to be seated, relatives may provide suggestions and improvements instead so that the country will be able to practice democracy, the bottom-up approach and breaking government centralization. There is not a need for more than one seat for each family to do this, as one house does not know all the situations of their neighbors.
The proposal also lacks information on what will happen to these officials after the term based on the Constitution ends as most of them pass the throne down to a relative, which will continue the legacy of the former. This will still be a never-ending cycle.
For this, if a political figure had to step down and a relative is eager to continue to serve, there should be an election term gap or more implemented to give way for other candidates outside the name, at least to avoid being consecutive and the people would forget the former, giving the relative time to establish themselves if they're deserving.
Respectively, however, it is true that such a bill had somehow limited political families to run simultaneously for its debut, but it would be better if it went all out to its potential, as revisions may take years and this will only take effect on the next election. Starting slow will help them plan ahead to keep the crown.
This bill is disguised as an ally to the oppressed citizens while keeping those big-shot families above the line. If you really want to abolish dynasties— establish a better bill, better yet let someone who is not part of a dynasty write it, as a relative of a public official will feel the pressure of keeping the name clean without losing the business.
Written by Almira Cereno, Insight PH
Almira Cereno, Insight PH is a dedicated campus journalist and contributor. Their insightful writing sparks meaningful conversations and keeps the community informed.
