Christian Monsod, a framer of the 1987 Constitution, has called out Philippine legislators for their failure to pass an anti-political dynasty law throughout the decades.
"Real change cannot happen until we strike at the roots and not at the brranches," Monsod said Thursday, Jan. 26 during the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments hearing on bills seeking Charter Change (Cha-cha).
"Congress has not passed an anti- dynasty law for 35 years and blames the Constitution for the lapse. That is a lame excuse; the real reason is self-interest," he said.
"Instead of rushing to amend the Constitution, why don't our legislators pass an anti- dynasty law, of say four degrees for the barangay elections this year," Monsod said, referring to the Oct. 30, 2023 village and youth polls.
Monsod also hinted that Congress--which is composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate--should fix the party-list system to protect it from abuse by these political dynasties.
He specifically mentioned three possible amendments.
"And how about the abuse by political dynasties of the party-list system? With just three amendments--an anti-dynasty provision; the removal of the limit of three representatives because, it's about proportional representation; and to remove the loophole of 'track record of advocacy', that enabled the Forbes Park resident to represent, I believe, security guards," the Charter framer said.