VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidates aired on Saturday their opposition against political dynasties and bared plans to solve the issue.
Katipunan ng Kamalayang Kayumanggi vice presidential bet Carlos Serapio said the political system in the Philippines must be changed to address the issue of political dynasties.
During CNN Philippines’ vice presidential debate, Serapio stressed the incompatibility between the aim to end political dynasties and the existing political system in the country.
“Sa sistemang luma po, hindi po mangyayari na malulutas at matutugunan ang layunin na tigilan ang political dynasty,” Serapio said.
Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution states “The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law,” but no law defining political dynasties has been passed until now.
Serapio laid his plan to implement a new system seeking to end political dynasties without the need to create a law.
“Isinusulong namin ang paglalagay ng bagong sistema sa pagtatalaga ng Punong Bayanihan Constitution sapagkat doon ay hindi kailangan ng enabling legislation. The Constitution itself will provide that political dynasties should definitely not be tolerated,” Serapio added.
Meanwhile, Aksyon Demokratiko’s vice presidential candidate Willie Ong said political dynasties must end but variations must be made to ensure that bills covering political dynasties would be passed in the Congress.
“Masyado kasi tayong strict, hindi naman din ‘to matutuloy, hindi naman ‘to papasa. Baka pwede tayong gumawa ng variations. Baka pwedeng may gap muna. Para hindi gamitin ‘yong resources nung nahalal para tulungan ‘yong kamag-anak niya… Dapat may limit lang din ‘yong dami ng kamag-anak na pwede,” he said.
Ong, who is the running mate of presidential candidate Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno, laid down one of their platforms to address the issue of political dynasties in the country.
“Isang plano na naisip namin, dahil mayroon tayong 17 regions, gusto niya ‘yung pag-elect ng senators, per region. Ito ‘yong isang idea na magkakaroon ng dalawang senators per region, 34 lahat. Makatutulong ‘to sa pagdevelop ng regions natin. Mayroong tututok,” Ong said.
However, Article VI, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution said the Senate shall be composed of 24 senators.
Former Akbayan Party-List representative Walden Bello said the Marcos and Duterte dynasties are representative of the” greatest evil of the existing political system” in the country.
He urged the people to not vote for presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio if they want political dynasties to be eliminated.
“The task is up to our voters. Do not elect these dynastic cliques coming to power. Make sure that you tell them that you are not going to come to power just to eat up the Philippines between the two of you. It’s on the voters now, that is why we are appealing, don’t vote for these dynasts,” Bello said. F
