Comelec chief Garcia admits he is against political dynasty

Comelec chair George Garcia. —INQUIRER.net/Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — Even Commission on Elections (Comelec) chief George Erwin Garcia himself said he is against the existence of political dynasties in the country.

“Personally, I’ll say it upfront, that I am against political dynasties,” Garcia said, partly in Filipino, during the Diliman Media Forum on Monday.

Garcia noted that the prohibition of political dynasties is stated in the 1987 constitution, but he said that there needs to be a legislation from the Congress before it could be implemented.

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So far, only the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act and the Bangsamoro Electoral Code have explicit anti-dynasty provisions. Hence, only aspiring SK and Bangsamoro elective officials within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are banned from running for office.

A multisectoral coalition Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (Anim) filed on Friday, Oct. 18 a petition for disqualification before the Comelec against five personalities which they said are members of political dynasty.

This is the first time a disqualification petition was filed over political dynasty accusations.

Despite the absence of a legislation, Anim argued that “the constitutional prohibitions against political dynasties are self-executing, particularly concerning the immediate family members of incumbents.”

Asked about the petition, Garcia said he does not want to preempt the Comelec’s decision.