Coalitions file SC petition over Congress’ ‘inaction vs anti-dynasty bill’

Talks on political dynasties in the Philippines reemerged as the 1Sambayan coalition, along with several other cause-oriented groups, urged the Supreme Court (SC) through a petition on certiorari and mandamus on Monday, March 31, to compel Congress to pass a law banning political dynasties.

“Congress has not merely neglected its duty—it has actively undermined the very foundation of democratic representation, entrenching political monopolies, perpetuating systemic inequality, and plunging deeper to a negative escalating degree the abject poverty of the people,” the petition reads.

The opposition coalition, represented by former SC Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Sanlakas party-list, former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, retired military officials, priests, academics, and lawyers, filed the petition more than a year after a similar one was submitted.

In March 2024, a group of lawyers also filed a petition for mandamus before the Supreme Court, urging both the House of Representatives and the Senate to enact a law prohibiting political dynasties among elected government officials.

The new petition lists the Senate, represented by Senate President Francis Escudero, and the House of Representatives, led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, as respondents.

“With all due respect, the Honorable Court should not tolerate the Congress’ continuing violation of the 1987 Constitution for almost four decades,” the 48-page petition states.

In a media briefer, the petition highlighted the bicameral’s “blatant indifference and inaction on political dynasties” for nearly four decades, arguing that such violates the mandate of the 1987 Constitution.

The petition reiterated that the SC must compel Congress to enact an anti-dynasty law as mandated 1987 Constitution specifically Article II, Section 26 of.the charter.

Section 26 of Article II upholds that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service” with the explicit mention of “prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

“We now have a government filled with elective officials whose primary qualifications are neither their character nor competence, but luck in their genetic lottery,” the petition reads.

After 12 different Congresses, said the petitioners, political dynasties now dominate the bicameral

“Left to their own devices, [the Congress] will never obey the Filipino people and the 1987 Constitution’s mandate to pass an anti-dynasty law; of course, doing so would require them to act against their very own selfish interests,” the petition argued.

“The individuals who hold the authority to enact this law are the same ones who undoubtedly would continue to benefit from its non-passage,” it added.

The petitioners finally urged the SC to mandate Congress to enact the anti-dynasty law within a year if they receive the tribunal’s ruling in their favor.

They called on the high court to hold Congress in contempt if it fails to comply within the timeframe.

In response, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III through a message to reporters said that the SC cannot interfere with the legislative power of Congress to enact laws

“The plenary power of Congress to enact laws cannot be interfered with by the SC, especially if the purpose is to pinpoint a particular subject matter to be enacted into law,” Pimentel said.

The senator reaffirmed his call for equal access to public service and remains hopeful that Congress will independently pass legislation that clearly defines and prohibits political dynasties in the country.

Meanwhile, solons from the Makabayan bloc in the House urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to take the lead in pushing for the passage of an anti-political dynasty law.

“'Yung anti-political dynasty, gusto natin 'yan. Sa Makabayan, 'yan talaga ang gusto nating mangyari … hinahamon natin ang Presidente ngayon na magpasa ng ganitong batas na kinakailangan ng ating mamamayan,” Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas said.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Danniel Manuel, an author for a House bill which prohibits the candidacy of close family members of incumbent officials, said that such measures for an anti-dynasty is long overdue.

“Long overdue na task ng Kongreso na isabatas 'yan. Ngayong 19th Congress, nag-file tayo ng Anti Political Dynasty Bill precisely para sa purpose na 'yan. Pero syempre, dahil sa pag-dominate ng mga political dynasty sa legislative branch natin, kaya hindi talaga 'yan sumusulong,” Manuel said.