President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to passing an anti-political dynasty law during his administration despite its absence from his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Malacañang said on Wednesday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro clarified the administration’s position after some observers noted that the proposed measure, previously identified as a legislative priority, was not included in the President’s agenda during his penultimate SONA on Monday.
Castro said Marcos continues to support the enactment of the measure before the end of his term.
“Opo, iyan pa rin po ang nais ng Pangulo, na maipasa sa panahon niya at sa kaniyang administrasyon itong anti-political dynasty bill,” she said during a Palace press briefing.
She said the Palace is now waiting for Congress to complete its work on the proposal, particularly in the Senate, where deliberations are still pending.
“Hintayin na lang po natin kung papaano at hanggang kailan ito magkakaroon ng bicam dahil sa ating pagkakaalam ay ang Senado po yata ang kinakailangan pang may tapusin patungkol diyan,” Castro said.
The proposed legislation seeks to implement a provision of the 1987 Constitution, which directs Congress to prohibit political dynasties “as may be defined by law.”
Nearly four decades after the Constitution took effect, however, Congress has yet to pass an enabling law defining and regulating political dynasties.
Over the years, lawmakers have filed several anti-political dynasty bills in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Most proposals seek to restrict immediate family members from simultaneously holding elective positions or succeeding one another in public office.
None of the measures, however, has been enacted into law.
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