Duterte for abolition of political dynasties, doubts law will be passed

President Duterte is amenable to the abolition of political dynasties in the country but is skeptical if it will ever be passed into law.

"A few of the principled men, I would say, want this kind of thing

about dynasty is abolished. I am for it. Ang problema lulusot ba ‘yan? [The problem is, will it be passed?]," the President said during an assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Manila Hotel.

The President recognized that it is the people who vote for politicians, and eventually their relatives into office to ensure continuity of programs.

"Because sa atin pagkatapos mo eh, they would ask for your son or your wife (to run)," said Duterte, whose children are elected officials in his home city of Davao.

Citing an example, Duterte said when he ran for president in 2016, his daughter Sara Duterte succeeded him as mayor of Davao City due to the clamor of the people of the city. His son Paolo Duterte was elected vice mayor of Davao City but later resigned from his post.

"Inday really is a --- she’s a character and she can be mean... The Davaoeños want to continue ‘yung ano ‘yung nagawa mo [what you achieved]," he said.

Duterte said it took him three terms as Davao mayor to "perfect the system," citing improved peace and order in the city. "Why is it so peaceful, so clean. Drug is minimal and the law and order is very good. It took me about three terms really to perfect the system and that came without cost," he said.

Early this month, the President acknowledged that political dynasties were "bad" but could be "for the better" sometimes. He said if Sara didn't run for mayor, he would not have joined the presidential race in 2016.

At present, the Constitution prohibits political dynasties but an enabling law must be passed to implement such provision.

The President previously opposed any move to implement a constitutional provision banning political dynasties in the country. He said an anti-dynasty provision was a restriction of the freedom of the people to choose their leaders.