Lapid backs anti-dynasty bill, says youth deserve a chance to lead

For Senator Lito Lapid, supporting the anti-dynasty law will provide new generations the chance to run for office, a space he says is currently dominated by political bloodlines of varying ages.

“I vote for that, to give other young people the opportunity to run for office because there are many talented young people who want to win but can't because they don't have money, they don't have a leader,” Lapid said Wednesday afternoon.

“Let us give them (youth) a chance,” he continued.

Lapid, regarded as a seasoned senator after holding office for three nonconsecutive terms since 2004, also acknowledged that many officials will likely oppose the measure.

“We expect that there will be many objections, I don't know if it will pass, but hopefully it will,” he shared.

Asked about other officials who belong to political dynasties, he emphasized that long-entrenched clans should not prevent others from serving.

“I am in favor of the [anti]-political dynasty [bill] not because it is my last term, that's not it. I have children and grandchildren who can follow suit but whatever, whatever the law says, that's all we have,” he explained.

Uphill battle for the bill

In a legislature led largely by political dynasties themselves, the anti-dynasty bill has long faced an uphill fight despite multiple efforts over the years.

In the 17th Congress, Senator Kiko Pangilinan sponsored the measure with Senator Risa Hontiveros as co-sponsor. They were joined by Senator Bam Aquino and former Senator Leila de Lima in pushing for the reform.

By the 19th Congress, the bill remained pending in both chambers of Congress.

Now in the 20th Congress, Hontiveros has refiled the proposal, which seeks to prohibit anyone within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent national elective official from holding or running for a national office.

Hontiveros also reiterated Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, which states: “[t]he State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

On 9 December, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the Senate and House to prioritize the bill, along with the Party List System Reform Act, the Independent People’s Commission Act, and the Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (Cadena).

Marcos is not exempt from the proposed measure, as he is also part of a political clan — his son Sandro serves as Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative and House Majority Leader.