A first-time senatorial candidate in the coming May elections has
joined earlier petitioners seeking to abolish political dynasties in the
Philippines.
In a 21-page petition for
mandamus, lawyer Ricardo Penson asked the Supreme Court to compel
Congress to pass an enabling law defining what a "political dynasty" is,
as stipulated under Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.
Section 26 states: "The state shall guarantee equak access to
opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may
be defined by law."
Penson is president and CEO
of Ausphil Tollways Corporation who formed a movement against political
dymasty called, Krusada Kontra Dynasty (Crusade Against Dynasty).
In his petition, Penson said that the "political and economic life" of
the country's 90 million Filipinos "continue to be controlled and/or
dictated upon by four political clan alliances," namely the Lakas
Families, the National People's Coaltion Family, the Laban ng
Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP) Family, and the Liberal Party Family.
He also cited a study by the Asian Institute of Management and Konrad
Adenauer Stiftung Foundation on political dynasties showing that 70
percent of jurisdiction-based members of Congress belong to political
dynasties.
Penson said the Supreme Court had
previously ruled (Tatad vs. Sandiganbayan, et. al.) that "failure to
perform a duty for a long period of time is both a violation of the
right to procedural andbsubstantuve due process."
Penson noted several bills on political dynasties have been filed but
none has been enacted so far. "The introduction has thus become illusory
and merely promotive of false hopes," he said.
He added that the non-passage of an enabling law against political
dynasties has resulted in "an abrogation of their sacred duty, which
unless remedied, the constitutional provision will cobtinue to remain
pure rhetoric and the noble objectives behind its institution merely
illusory."
Politicians who belong to prominent political clans, such as Representatives Juan Edgardo Angara and Joseph Victor Ejercito, have earlier defended the existence of "political dynasties" in the Philippines.
Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada, said that Filipinos are already “used to” the practice of children following the footsteps of their parents.
On the other hand, Angara, son of Sen. Edgardo Angara, said that having politicians of the same blood brought gains to the country in some instances.
Both Angara and Ejercito are also seeking Senate seats in the May elections.
Consolidate petitions vs political dynasties
Politicians who belong to prominent political clans, such as Representatives Juan Edgardo Angara and Joseph Victor Ejercito, have earlier defended the existence of "political dynasties" in the Philippines.
Ejercito, son of former President Joseph Estrada, said that Filipinos are already “used to” the practice of children following the footsteps of their parents.
On the other hand, Angara, son of Sen. Edgardo Angara, said that having politicians of the same blood brought gains to the country in some instances.
Both Angara and Ejercito are also seeking Senate seats in the May elections.
Consolidate petitions vs political dynasties
In a separate motion, Penson also asked the high court to consolidate his petition
against political dynasties with a similar petition earlier filed by a
group led by former Vice President Teofisto Guingona on October 25 last year.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court junked a similar petition filed by Louis "Barok" Biraogo in October last year.
Biraogo, in his 26-page petition for mandamus, also cited Section 26,
Article II of the 1987 Constitution as basis for prohibiting political
dynasties from running in elections.
Biraogo
said the list of candidates for national and local government posts in
the upcoming May elections "is the best testament to the mockery Section
26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution has been subjected to in the
hands of political dynasties."
Among the
so-called political dynasties he cited in his petition was the clan of
President Benigno Aquino III, whose cousin, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino
IV, and aunt, former Tarlac Gov. Margarita Cojuangco, are both running
for senator.
Biraogo also cited the clan of Vice
President Jejomar Binay, whose son, incumbent Makati Mayor Jejomar
Erwin Binay, is running for reelection. Binay's daughters, Abigail and
Nancy, are running for congresswoman and senator, respectively. — RSJ, GMA News
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