SC asked anew to require Congress to pass law vs political dynasties

A SENATORIAL candidate asked the Supreme Court to compel the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass a law that would define “political dynasties,” which under the Constitution is prohibited from participating in elections.

Richard Penson 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."

“Although there have been a few bills on political dynasties previously introduced in both houses of Congress, these have never been duly acted upon, with the end view of having them enacted. The introduction has thus become illusory and merely promotive of false hopes,” the petition for writ of mandamus read.

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.

Last October, the Senate conducted committee hearings on the bill sponsored by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago banning relatives of incumbent local politicians to succeed them. National positions such as Senator, Vice President and President are excluded from the ban.

But Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who called for the hearings, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) had admitted that they cannot expect congressmen and senators to pass a bill that would have them as main target.

A similar petition was filed last year by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and lawyers from Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) but the Court has yet to act on it. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)