Carpio threatens SC challenge to dynasty ‘legitimization’ bill
Carpio also said he and other advocates would pursue a people’s initiative to enact what he called a genuine anti-political dynasty law.
Carpio also said he and other advocates would pursue a people’s initiative to enact what he called a genuine anti-political dynasty law.
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said he would seek judicial intervention if the House of Representatives passes an anti-political dynasty bill principally authored by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos.
Carpio said the measure, which would prohibit relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or holding office in the same constituency or jurisdiction, would effectively legitimize political dynasties.
“If they pass this Speaker Dy-Sandro Marcos bill that was already approved by the House, right? We do not agree with that bill. We will go to the Supreme Court and say, ‘This is not an anti-political dynasty law,’” Carpio said in a radio interview.
He described the measure as a “political dynasty legitimization and entrenchment law.”
Carpio also said he and other advocates would pursue a people’s initiative to enact what he called a genuine anti-political dynasty law.
The House passed the bill on third and final reading in June. Marcos said, however, that the measure was not yet final and could still be revised during the bicameral conference committee’s deliberations.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law at the earliest opportunity, ruling that its 39-year failure to do so constituted grave abuse of discretion.
The high court left it to Congress to define political dynasties and determine the scope of the prohibition.
