House makes history: Committee OKs bill vs dynasties

MANILA - For the first time ever, the House Committee on Suffrage has approved a consolidated bill banning political dynasties in the Philippines.

The bill essentially bans from running in the same election the spouses or persons related to an incumbent up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity. It also bans the possible overlap of relatives' terms in office.

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares also inserted a provision that empowers the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to resolve through a raffle which one in the same family will be allowed to run in the same election in case none of the candidates in the same family withdraw or give way to just one family member.

Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora said "the important thing is a lot of reforms have to be set in place and it shouldn’t just be in the budget. It should also include political dynasties. Let’s take a look again. We have been remiss in our obligation to implement [this]. Let’s see what they will do at the committee of suffrage. I hope we get the leadership to agree to looking at pol dynasties in a much more aggressive light.”

Colmenares, who is also one of the authors said: "Today’s a historic moment, if only because for the first time, pumasa sa kumite.”

ACT TEACHERS Party List Rep. Antonio Tinio said, "the next step is for [the lower House] to schedule plenary debates. I call on the public and I hope that the same forces that are for the abolition of the pork barrel system will also be mobilized for this struggle. Alam natin magkaugnay ang issue ng pork barrel at dynasties.”

The bill is expected to be endorsed to the plenary.

Despite all these, it’s a guessing game if this will even be included in the agenda of the plenary, considering some lawmakers are involved in political dynasties.

Speaker Sonny Belmonte's daughter, Joy, is Quezon City vice mayor. He is also an uncle to QC Rep. Kit Belmonte.

Deputy Majority Leader Abigail Binay is the daughter of Vice President Jejomar Binay and sister to Senator Nancy Binay.

Rep. Mark Villar is son to Senator Cynthia Villar.

Rep. Lino Cayetano is brother to Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano.

Malabon Rep. Josephine Lacson Noel is sister-in-law to An Waray Rep. Victoria Noel.

Rep. Imelda Marcos is mother to Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos and Senator Bongbong Marcos.

Rep. Lani Mercado is wife to Senator Bong Revilla. 

Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian is brother to Rep. Wesley

Gatchalian and Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, Rep.

Rep. Gloria Arroyo is the mother of Rep. Dato Arroyo.

Rep. Sitti Hataman is the wife of ARMM Governor Jim Hataman.

Lanao del Norte Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo is married to Rep. Imelda Dimaporo.

(C) ABSCBN