On ban on dynasties

At present, the Comelec cannot stop politicians and their relatives from running for office

The anti-dynasty provision of an election law was first implemented in the youth polls held last May. The provision under the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act or Republic Act 10742 during the elections held last May 14 bars persons who are related “within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity” to any incumbent elected official in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected.

The ban was meant to correct past practices where the elected youth leader was a relative of the barangay captain or city mayor and the SK positions were seen as entry points for them into a life of politics.

But the ban on dynasties turned out to be problematic. Even before they could assume office, these youth leaders were exposed to practices of old politics that include muckraking, compromise, and getting wooed by political old bosses.

The messing up of the anti-dynasty provision of the law was clearly a dampener to one’s spirit and idealism. But it was a first step.

Imagine if that anti-dynasty provision were applied to the elections in May 2019. There would not have been the so-called clash of clans, of clan members playing “musical chairs” by sliding down or going up, whatever suits them best, to defy term limits or to abide by political arrangements made in prior elections.

Cebu Provincial Election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said the poll body cannot prohibit politicians and their relatives from running for public office.

“The Constitution has a provision against political dynasties, but it’s a provision that is not self-executory. It still needs an enabling law for it to be implemented,” Castillano said.

The SK Reform Act or Republic Act 10742 is the only law in the country that prohibits political dynasties.

The roll of candidates for next year’s exercise shows us that efforts to pursue a ban on political dynasties need to continue.