BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Ilonggo Senate President Franklin Drilon reiterated his commitment to support the anti-dynasty bill.
The proposed law prohibits relatives within the second civil degree or consanguinity or affinity from holding office in the same province.
Individuals are also not allowed to hold office at national level immediately after the end of term of the elected public official belonging to the same clan.
“My family is not involved in politics, even at the barangay level,” said Drilon.
The senator from Iloilo City said the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation chaired by Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III started its discussion on the measure last week.
Enacting an anti-dynasty law will further strengthen the political system, according to Drilon.
Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito, late last year, filed a bill prohibiting the establishment of political dynasties.
Ironically, Ejercito’s father and mother, former President Joseph Estrada and Guia Gomez are mayors of Manila and San Juan City, respectively.
His half-brother, Jinggoy Estrada, is an incumbent senator.
The measure has been approved on committee level in the House of Representatives, said Ejercito.
“We will debate on it. In a democracy, the best ideas can be extracted from debates,” he told Panay News.
Other senators who have expressed support to the anti-dynasty bill are Sonny Angara, Francis Escudero and Miriam Defensor Santiago.
Sen. Nancy Binay, however, believed the bill is “unfair” because “it limits a person’s electoral choices.”
According to her, it is a voter’s right to decide whether he or she wants another member of the same family serving them.
Binay’s father is Vice President Jejomar Binay. Her siblings also serve the local government of Makati City./PN
