SC closes door on petitions challenging political dynasties

MANILA -- Justices of the Supreme Court junked Tuesday appeals of two groups to compel the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass a law that would define "political dynasties," which under the Constitution are prohibited from participating in elections.

In a text message, SC Public Information Office chief Theodore Te said the Court denied the separate motions for reconsideration filed by a group led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and senatorial candidate Ricardo Penson.

Earlier, the Court denied a similar petition by certain Louis Biraogo asking the SC to order the Comelec to outlaw political dynasties, saying the provision is a "non-self-executing provision, requiring as it does the legislative act of Congress to define what 'political dynasties' are and to prescribe the scope and limits of such prohibition."

In his petition, Penson said Congress has yet to pass a measure that would operationalize Section 26, Article II of the Constitution, which states "the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."

Penson added that Filipinos are still being controlled by political clan alliances composed of the families belonging to the Nationalist People's Coalition, Lakas, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino, and the ruling Liberal Party of President Benigno Aquino III. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)-