Miriam: Don’t forget bills vs epals, political dynasties

MANILA, Philippines – With the pre-election season just around the corner, it will be a matter of time before giant billboards, posters, and tarpaulins will again carry the faces of politicians or government officials with political ambitions.

The Senate doesn’t have to wait for the deluge of what Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago has branded as “epals,” or those who promote themselves using government funds and projects. The senator is urging her colleagues to act on bills she has filed related to local governance, particularly the Anti-Signage of Public Works Bill and the Anti-Political Dynasty bills.

“I am disappointed. Without public clamor, these bills will never see the light of day. The committees to which these bills were referred are sitting on them,” Santiago said in a statement Saturday, March 1.

Senate Bill 54, or the Anti-Signage of Public Works Bill is with the committee of civil service and government reorganization chaired by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

The bill had been refiled many times – in 2004 during the 13th Congress, in 2007 during the 14th Congress, and again in 2010 during the 15th Congress.

It prohibits the placement of a public official’s name or image on a signage of a public works project, be it proposed, existing, or ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation.

Citizens and various groups usually start anti-epal campaigns before election season to combat credit-grabbing and premature campaigning of politicians. Some activists have criticized politicians for putting their names and faces on tarpaulins of government-funded projects. (READ: Juana Change vs. ‘Epaliticians’)

As early as June 2012, for example, there was already a sudden proliferation of various forms of early campaigning from local politicians who were then rumored to run for the 2013 mid-term elections.

Unfortunately, politicians easily get away with it because the law does not prohibit premature campaigning until certificates of candidacies are filed with the Commission on Election. (READ: ‘Epal’ campaigning not an election offense – Comelec)

Political dynasty

Meanwhile, Santiago’s anti-political dynasty bills (SB 55 and 1580) seek to define and prohibit political dynasties in the Philippines.

Political dynasties are aplenty in the Philippines. It was estimated that around 178 political dynasties are active in the country, and 94% of provinces have at least one dynasty. (READ: How politicians skirt anti-dynasty laws) 

The anti-political dynasty bills were referred to Senator Aquilino Pimentel III’s committee on electoral reforms and people’s organization.

In November 2013, the House of Representative’s committee on suffrage and electoral reforms approved a consolidated House version of the bill.

Santiago said she already wrote to Trillanes and Pimentel to schedule public hearings on these bills.

“It would be best for the legislative process to ensure that the bills are at least reported out to the plenary, considering their wide implications on our political system,” she said.

Aside from these bills, Santiago’s other priority bills are:

1. S.B. No. 56, or the Deceased Organ Donor Bill
2. S.B. No. 57, or the Magna Carta for Call Center Workers
3. S.B. No. 186, or the HIV and AIDS Policy and Plan Bill
4. S.B. No. 185, or the Certificate of Intention to Run for Public Office (CIRPO) Bill

– Jee Geronimo/Rappler.com