DAVAO CITY – Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu sees no problem with political dynasties for as long as they are duly elected by the people.

Mangudadatu, who belongs to one of the formidable political clans in Central Mindanao, clarified that political dynasties only thrive when the people’s right to choose their leaders is taken away.

He issued the statement amid the pending anti-political dynasty bill in Congress, saying that it may only deprive the peoples' right to choose their own leaders.

While the governor acknowledged that political dynasties are already prohibited under the Constitution, he pointed out that there should be a clear definition on the proposed bill.

Mangudadatu cited that there is a political dynasty if members of the ruling families also occupy all other branches of the government.

“If I am the head of the Executive department then I will appoint the Chief Justice and other members of the Supreme Court, the Senate President, House Speaker, Ombudsman, and Sandiganbayan are also my friends and families, then there is a political dynasty there,” he said.

Political dynasty, Mangudadatu added, arises when there is a blurred separation of powers and when officials assume positions without a clear electoral mandate.

“There is a political dynasty if we deprive the people of their right to choose their leaders. Kung binoto nila, no problem. Pero kung hindi nila binoto, in appoint-appoint na lang, may problema tayo diyan.”

The Mangudadatu clan is one of the most prominent political families in Sultan Kudarat province and neighboring Maguindanao del Sur.

Datu Pax Ali is a son of former Sultan Kudarat governor and representative Suharto Mangudadatu, who is married to former and only female governor of then undivided Maguindanao province.

The incumbent Sultan Kudarat governor is also the grandson of the Datu Pakung Mangudadatu, who also ruled the province for several terms.

Mangudadatu said that if there’s a law that would prohibit the father and son to get elected, it might only give a different definition on “providing equal political opportunities lost.”

The governor was referring to Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution that states: "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."

He cited that there are several places in the country where cousins or siblings have faced each other during local elections.

Thus, Mangudadatu believes that the anti-politcal dynasty bill may only create a new definition that would contradict the “equal political opportunities lost” as defined by the Constitution.

“My definition of political dynasty should be: if there’s a blur between the separation of powers, if there’s no way for the Filipino people to confirm their mandate by voting these people, then there’s political dynasty. There's a political dynasty if we deprive the people to choose their leaders.”