Drilon urges Congress to end political dynasties

According to a statement on Tuesday, Drilon has filed Senate Bill No. 11, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, for the first regular session of the 18th Congress. (File Photo: Franklin Drilon/Facebook)

MANILA — Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon is urging Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty to end political dynasties as he filed a measure prohibiting the continuous existence of such practice.

According to a statement on Tuesday, Drilon has filed Senate Bill No. 11, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, for the first regular session of the 18th Congress.

The measure seeks to prohibit spouses or relatives of an incumbent elective official seeking re-election to hold or run for any elective office in the same province in the same election.

“The Constitution entrusted to Congress the duty to end political dynasties. Unfortunately, we have failed in our duty and, hence, political dynasty still persists and so does poverty,” Drilon said.

Also included in Drilon’s pet bills filed at the Senate is the bill seeking to strengthen the political party system in the country and discourage political “turncoatism”.

“Turncoatism should never be tolerated since it only distorts the concept of word of honor and dignity of a leader. It is therefore imperative that the country’s political party system should be strengthened in order to achieve genuine political development and democratization,” Drilon said.

Other priority measures of Drilon are the amendments to the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act; institutionalization and strengthening of Public-Private Partnerships; and creation of Boracay Development Authority.