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SC requires Congress to comment on petition to enact anti-political dynasty law

Published Apr 8, 2025 10:02 am

The Supreme Court (SC) required the Senate and the House of Representatives (HOR) to comment on the petition to compel Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law.  

The SC acted on the petition filed by 1Sambayan Coalition, several groups and private individuals.

1Sambayan Coalition.png

SC Spokesperson lawyer Camille Sue Mae L. Ting, in a press briefing in Baguio City where the justices are holding their traditional summer sessions, said the petition of 1Sambayan was consolidated with the earlier petitions filed by Kapatiran Party and Wilfredo Trinidad.

Ting said that both houses of Congress were given 10 days from receipt of the resolution to file their comment.

The petition filed by 1Sambayan and several groups and individuals asked the SC to hold Congress in contempt should it fail to comply with Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution within the period of one year in the event that the petition is granted.       

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution explicitly prohibits political dynasties. Section 26 states: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”     

The 1Sambayan and its groups told the SC that since enactment of the1987 Constitution, lawmakers have yet to enact an anti-political dynasty law.

“Congress’ failure to enact an enabling law, since the Constitution’s ratification in 1987 up to date, has not only rendered Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution inutile, but also allowed political dynasties to concentrate power within a few families, undermined the democratic process, and ultimately exacerbated poverty and inequality among our people,” the SC was also told.

The petition pointed out that of the more than 30 anti-political dynasty bills filed in both the Senate and the HOR, none has come close to being passed into law.         

 

 

 

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