BATANGAS CITY—In a mix of humor and serious insight, former Senator Panfilo Lacson teased on Saturday about filing a bill to ban political dynasties—except, he said with a wink, if siblings are at odds with each other.
The quip came during a campaign sortie featuring five candidates from the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, when they were grilled once again about their stance on political dynasties.
Lacson, who’s running for senator in the upcoming elections, stood firm alongside his fellow administration candidates Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, Erwin Tulfo, and Abby Binay. They all reiterated their positions on the controversial issue.
When asked if they are ready to file a bill to stop political dynasties, Tulfo quickly jumped in. “Senator Lacson already has one filed. I’ll probably just amend it if it passes. I’ll say approved, even if my siblings are against it,” Tulfo said with a grin.
At that, Lacson couldn’t resist injecting some playful drama: “Maybe I’ll amend my bill. If the siblings are fighting, they’re exempted.” Then he added, “Just kidding.”
But behind the joke lies a deeper debate. Abby Binay pointed out the complexities lawmakers face when drafting such a bill. “As I travel around the Philippines, I realize some families have grown very large politically. So the question is, if siblings run against each other, are they still considered a dynasty? These are peculiarities that need to be defined in the law,” she said.
Lacson’s past proposals aim to bar candidates related within the second degree from running in the same locality, striking at the heart of local political clans.
Aside from Tulfo, Binay, and Sotto, six other Alyansa senatorial hopefuls have close relatives who are either incumbent officials or candidates themselves. These include former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., Senators Bong Revilla Jr., Pia Cayetano, Francis Tolentino, former Senator Manny Pacquiao, and Las Piñas Representative Camille Villar.
The 1987 Constitution, in Article II, Section 26, mandates the State to ensure equal access to public service and to prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law. Yet, crafting an effective ban remains a political puzzle that keeps the nation’s democracy in suspense.
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