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Belmonte Files Anti Political Dynasty Bill
Outgoing Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr filed a bill that aims to prohibit political dynasties to exist in Congress.
This goes after the bills filed in the previous congress were not approved.
House Bill 166 or “Anti-political dynasty Act” says “No two persons within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, allowed to hold or run for any local or national elective office in the same election.”
“No three persons within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, related to each other shall be allowed to hold or run for any local or national elective office in the same election,” it added.
Belmonte explained in a note, “Almost 30 years have passed without an enabling law to define political dynasties. Meanwhile, the present political landscape is witness to influential politicians and their families maintaining position of power for a considerable time.”
“Social justice requires us to provide equal opportunity for all, including the opportunity to serve. Political dynasties make it prohibitive for our citizens to run for public office,” he added.
“It is thus incumbent upon the House of Representatives and the Senate to provide an enabling law defining political dynasties to give people who do not belong to political dynasties a chance to serve the people.”
