SC asked to compel Congress to enact anti-political dynasty laws

A group of lawyers has asked the Supreme Court to direct the Senate and the House of Representatives to enact a law that prohibits political dynasties.

In a 46-page petition, lawyers Rico Domingo, Wilfredo Trinidad, Jorge Cabildo, and Ceasar Oracion argued that it is mandatory for Congress to pass a law prohibiting political dynasties under the 1987 Constitution.

“The prohibition of political dynasties is a declared state policy. But for 37 long years since the Constitution was adopted by the Filipino People, that momentous policy has lain dormant,” the petitioners said.

“As such, Petitioners take the stand that the Honorable Supreme Court, pursuant to the powers vested to it by law, can and should issue a Writ of Mandamus to compel Congress to perform that duty,” they added.

The petitioners cited Section 26, Article II of the Constitution which states that “the state shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

Named respondents in the petition are Congress, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri in his capacity as Senate president, and Speaker Martin Romualdez in his capacity as speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The Petition brings to the attention of the High Court what it characterizes as a ‘monumental omission, a deplorable and egregious neglect of Congress to perform an express duty’,” the petitioners said in a statement.

According to the lawyers, there had been well-meaning efforts by some legislators but records do not show that any bill against political dynasties has been passed into law.

“Meantime, since the prohibition remains in a moribund state, political dynasties continue to proliferate,” they said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News