Term limits, political dynasty ban removed in proposed Constitution

The proposed revision of the 1987 Constitution that the House committee on constitutional amendments recommends for adoption by the plenary, removes the political dynasty ban and term limits of elected public officials in the Constitution, and soft-pedals on federalism.

Authored by 28 lawmakers led by House Speaker Gloria Ma- capagal-Arroyo, Resolution of Both Houses No. 15 proposing the revision of the country’s 1987 Constitution removes the phrase “and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law” from Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, which reads: “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

In contrast, the consultative committee (Concom) to review the 1987 Constitution led by former Supreme Court chief justice Reynato Puno had proposed in July to curb political dynasties by banning relatives of incumbents up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for the same position in the following election, or running simultaneously for more than one national and one regional or local position.

Resolution 15 also does not prohibit senators, congressmen and local officials from running in every election. It merely sets their term at four years (except for barangay officials) while staying silent on term limits.

Senators now serve six years and can’t serve for more than two consecutive terms. Congressmen and local elective officials serve three years with a bar on serving for more than three consecutive terms.

Resolution 15 also soft-pedals on federalism, putting greater emphasis on strengthening the Local Government Code to make decentralization more effective.

While the Concom’s Constitution provides for a shift to federalism through the creation of 18 federated regions by May 2022, Resolution 15 merely declares that “The State shall recognize regional autonomy towards federalism.”