MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants an anti-political dynasty law enacted under his administration, Malacañang said Friday, throwing the President’s support behind a landmark Supreme Court ruling ordering Congress to finally fulfill a nearly four-decade-old constitutional mandate.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the proposed ban on political dynasties had already been among Marcos’ legislative priorities even before the Supreme Court handed down its decision.
“Wala pa pong binabanggit na desisyon ang SC, alam na natin na isa na ito sa mga priority bills ng Pangulo,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
She said Marcos wants the long-delayed legislation passed during his term.
“Gusto niya kung maaari sa panahon niya ay maipasa ang anti-political dynasty law,” she said.
The Marcos administration had earlier identified an anti-political dynasty measure as a legislative priority, with the President pressing lawmakers to give importance to its passage.
Castro, however, said Congress would determine the timetable for deliberating and approving the measure.
“Hindi natin mable-blame ang mga kinatawan sa Kongreso dahil alam natin na marami silang ginagawang trabaho at alam natin na marami silang dapat na tutukan at unahin,” she said.
The Supreme Court unanimously declared that Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution imposes a mandatory duty on Congress to enact a law prohibiting political dynasties.
The high court ruled that Congress’ failure to enact such a law for 39 years constituted grave abuse of discretion and a continuing violation of its constitutional duty.
It directed Congress to act “with utmost urgency” and enact an anti-political dynasty law “at the earliest opportunity,” while stressing that lawmakers retain the authority to define what constitutes a political dynasty and determine the scope of the prohibition.
Article II, Section 26 provides that the State “shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”
The Court said the phrase “as may be defined by law” does not give Congress discretion on whether to prohibit political dynasties but leaves lawmakers the power to determine the definition and extent of the ban.
The House of Representatives has already approved an anti-political dynasty measure on third and final reading, leaving further legislative action with the Senate.
The issue carries particular political significance because Marcos himself belongs to a family with several members who have held elective government positions.
The Supreme Court, however, stressed that it was not dictating the contents of the legislation, saying Congress retains discretion over its definition, coverage, sanctions and other provisions.
With the constitutional obligation now expressly affirmed by the high court and the Palace reiterating Marcos’ support for legislation, congressional action will determine how the nearly four-decade-old constitutional prohibition against political dynasties will finally be put into effect./PN
