Comelec welcomes PNoy’s statement urging lawmakers to pass anti-dynasty bill

President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his sixth and last State of the Nation Address (SONA) during the Joint Session of the 16th Congress at the Session Hall of the House of Representatives Complex in Constitution Hills, Quezon City on Monday (July 27, 2015).
(Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) welcomed the statement of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III urging Congress to pass the Anti-Dynasty bill.

“To us it’s a welcome development considering that it is required or a mandate of the constitution. Congress shall pass a law on anti-dynasty or prohibiting the dynasties,” said Commissioner Luie Guia in an interview.

Asked if he was hoping that the law would be passed before the 2016 polls, the poll body official said, “Ano ba ang calendar, tight na? at ang kalaban mo dyan ay decades of not having it passed. Ang pagkakaiba lang ngayon mismong chief executive ang nagsabi na kailangan ipasa na. I think basta gugusto talagang mangyayari.”

Guia said that they were always present during hearings on the said subject.

“Every time there is a hearing on that subject, parating kami naiimbita ang nagbibigay kami ng amin comment. Primarily ang comment is how we can implement anti-dynasty law,” he explained.

The poll body official also said that personally he supported the passage of the measure.

“Ako personally and this is my personal belief, of course. Talagang dynastic relationship tends to, lalo na kung political powers ‘yan, tends to perpetuate itself. That’s my personal opinion so welcome ang batas na naghahanap kumbaga ilimit ang influence ng political dynasty,” Guia said.

On Monday, Aquino in his last State of the National Address (SONA) urged lawmakers to pass the Anti-Dynasty measure.