Erice to seek SC order on antidynasty bill
The resolve of President Marcos to sign into law the long-overdue antidynasty bill may soon be put to the test soon after a House minority lawmaker vowed to bring the issue before the Supreme Court.
In a privilege speech before the plenary on Wednesday, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice said he would file a petition asking the high tribunal to compel Congress to perform its constitutional mandate to enact the enabling law for the antidynasty provision in the 1987 Constitution.
The same measure, he said, must be passed before the 2028 national elections.
“This time, I commend the President for his political will. It will not be easy because he will face many opposing forces. And I swear to you, Mr. President: I will do whatever I can to help you fight for political reforms. This is the true way to improve the governance of our country,” Erice said.
Genuine change
“If we want, we can easily pass these laws, and this will stop the worsening corruption in our government,” he added. “To the allies of the President in this House: Let us work for this reform if you truly want to help the President and leave behind a legacy of genuine change. National interest over personal interest.”
Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution mandates the state to “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
However, for nearly 40 years, all related bills have languished in Congress, allowing dynasties, which have been blamed for the pervasive corruption in government, to become deeply entrenched in politics.
The flood control scandal currently wracking the Marcos administration has placed pressure on Congress to pass legislation on political reforms—including the antidynasty bill—to curb corruption and restore public trust in government.
Last month, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III directed his colleagues to pass the antidynasty bill as well as measures strengthening the Independent Commission on Infrastructure tasked to investigate anomalous infrastructure projects in the past 10 years.
Initial deliberations set
In a press conference on Wednesday, House suffrage and electoral reforms committee chair and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the panel would be holding its initial deliberations on the antipolitical dynasty bills by the third week of January, following the President’s directive to prioritize these measures.
Adiong said he was also waiting for Speaker Dy or Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos to file their own version of the antipolitical dynasty bill specifically.
“As far as the House is concerned, it’s not just a matter of support because there are currently 11 versions referred to my committee and normally (such a bill) would trigger debates … but in this case, we’re anticipating that the minority and majority share the same goal,” he told reporters during a press conference.
“So in terms of having it pass the hurdles, legislative mills of these two legislations, I don’t see any reason for there to be a problem. I think the House of Representatives can pass this bill,” he added.
