Alyansa Senate bets explain definition of political dynasty
Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates. File photo.
MANILA, Philippines – Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates wish to clarify the definition of political dynasty should they become part of the 20th Congress.
The senatorial aspirants expressed this desire in a press conference in Batangas City on Saturday when they were once again asked to disclose their position about political dynasty.
For his part, former Sen. Ping Lacson — who is now seeking a Senate comeback — said his position on the matter has not changed.
“Kasi ang sabi ng Constitution dapat may enabling law. Kasi in the absence of any enabling law, hindi pwedeng maging batas o hindi maisasabatas ‘yong intent ng ating Saligang Batas na bawal ang political dynasty. So, hindi, hindi ma-implement ibig sabihin,” said Lacson.
(Because the Constitution says there must be an enabling law. Because in the absence of a clear enabling law, the intent of our Constitution that political dynasties are prohibited cannot be made into law or cannot be enacted. So, no, it means it cannot be implemented.)
This was seconded by former Senate President Tito Sotto who noted that the definition of political dynasty should be clarified to avoid misinterpretation.
“Napakahalaga nung depinisyon. I agree na dapat ‘yong depinisyon ay talagang linawin kasi ‘yong mga enabling law natin sa Constitution, in my experience ano may mga enabling law na na-misinterpret,” said Sotto.
(The definition is very important. I agree that the definition should be really clarified because our enabling laws in the constitution, in my experience, there are some enabling laws that have been misinterpreted.)
Senatorial hopeful Erwin Tulfo, meanwhile, said political dynasty is a gray area in the Constitution. Personally, he said he does not know if the passage of this was rushed, leading to the absence of an enabling law.
“Kaya tuloy ‘yong translation ng iba, ‘yong hindi nakakaintindi, malinaw, nakalagay ‘anti-dynasty’ pero tama sila, ‘yong mga kasama ko, what is it mean? Dynasty ba kung anak mo, papalit sa’yo? O dynasty ba kung ‘yong anak doon sa ibang pwesto? O magpinsan kayo? What is dynasty? You know, aabutin po tayo ng diskusyon nito, baka maubos ako 20th Congress hanggang 21st Congress pa na hindi matapos-tapos ‘yang diskusyon na ‘yan,” said Tulfo.
(That’s why the translation of others, those who don’t understand, clearly says “anti-dynasty” but they are right — what does it mean? Is it a dynasty if your son succeeds you? Or is it a dynasty if your son is in another position? Or are you cousins? What is a dynasty? You know, this discussion will take us a long time, I might spend the 20th Congress until the 21st Congress without finishing that discussion.)
Despite this, he said he is for the passage of a measure on anti-political dynasty. He, however, expressed the need to have a clear definition on the matter.
“Give me a good definition of dynasty. Kung sinasabing bawal kayong magkakapatid, then I will tell my siblings iwan na lang natin ang isa d’yan, baba na tayo tol Ben, iwan na natin dyan, tol Raffy isama ko na ‘yong anak mo, sama ko na ‘yang wife mo. I’ll be the one to say that… let’s give others a chance ika nga,” he said.
(Give me a good definition of dynasty. If they say you’re not allowed to have siblings, then I will tell my siblings, let’s just leave one of them alone, let’s go down there, Ben, let’s leave that alone, Raffy, I’ll take your child with me, I’ll take your wife with me. I’ll be the one to say that… let’s give others a chance.)
READ: Ben Tulfo shuns political dynasty tag, kicks off senatorial campaign
The administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidates are in Batangas to woo voters in the vote-rich province nine days before the 2025 midterm polls.
