Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio welcomed the priority bills laid down by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., particularly the proposed anti-political dynasty law.

“Well, we welcome that, ‘no. That has been our advocacy matagal na,” Carpio said, adding: “It is a very good development as there are many bills already filed before the House of Representatives.”

Carpio said the anti-dynasty bill should cover relatives within the fourth civil degree, with one position allowed at the national level and another in local government units (LGUs).

On the proposed revamp of the party-list system, Carpio said: “Under the Constitution, for the first 3 terms of Congress, there shall be a party-list system reserved for the marginalized, but only one-half.”

He stressed that the common impression — that party-list seats are exclusively for the marginalized — is inaccurate, noting that the deeper issue lies in political dynasties exploiting the system.

Carpio cited the success of figures like Cong. Chel Diokno and former senator Leila de Lima, whom he described as “leftists” who were nevertheless able to join the parliamentary struggle.

He said political dynasties were never controlled, allowing them to “invade” the party-list system by creating their own groups.

“It is still useful, because it will allow those who are in the armed struggle to give up the armed struggle and join the parliamentary struggle,” he said.