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MANILA, Philippines – A senatorial candidate in the 2013 midterm elections asked the Supreme Court on Monday, January 28, to compel Congress to pass a law banning political dynasties.
Ricardo Penson, president and CEO of Ausphil Tollways Corp and a senatorial hopeful, said the High Court should require lawmakers to enact a law against political dynasties, as mandated in the 1987 Constitution.
Sec.26, Article II of the Constitution specifies that “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
Penson noted that since the Constitution took effect 26 years ago, no law defining and prohibiting political dynasties has been passed.
His petition was filed shortly after a losing senatorial candidate of the Liberal Party in 2010 announced in a forum that he was leading a group that would seek the disqualification of 3 political dynasties — the Pinedas of Pampanga, Villafuertes of Camarines Sur, and Dutertes of Davao City.
Lawyer Alex Lacson said there is no need to wait for a new law against political dynasties since there are legal definitions already set in previous decisions of the Supreme Court.
Lacson is bringing his group’s petition straight to the SC, so the latter can compel the Commission on Election to immediately disqualify the members of the 3 families who are running for various local posts.
For his part, Penson asked that his petition be consolidated with the petition of former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. and Dante Jimenez, founding chairman of the Volunteers against Crime and Corruption.
In 2012, Guingona, Jimenez and lawyers of VACC asked the SC to also compel the House of Representatives and the Senate to pass a law against political dynasties.
The SC has yet to act on petition. It has, however,affirmed its earlier dismissal of a petition that asked the Commission on Elections to implement the constitutional provision against political dynasties.
Penson earlier promised that if he wins, he will push for the passage of an anti-political dynasty law. He is also among the candidates who have vowed to abolish the pork barrel if they get elected. – Rappler.com
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