MANILA, Philippines — Personalities who joined Wednesday’s Trillion Peso March expressed support and reservations over the Senate version of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, a day after the measure was received in plenary.
The Senate committee report, which prohibits political dynasties up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, was signed by 12 of 16 members of the electoral reforms and people’s participation panel on Tuesday. The bill bans both successive and simultaneous holding of positions by relatives within the covered degree, and it counts local and national posts separately.
Historian Xiao Chua welcomed the development, calling it a “fruit of Edsa” as the country marked the 40th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution. He said lawmakers should pass an agreeable version of the bill and amend it later if needed.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David urged lawmakers to expand the prohibition to the fourth degree, saying the current proposal does not go far enough. Former congressman Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada III also backed a broader coverage, describing the second-degree limit as insufficient.
Trillion Peso March Movement organizer Kiko Aquino-Dee described the Senate version as a “good step” but said he would assess the final measure after bicameral deliberations.
