Dynasts vs dynasties: Vico Sotto, coalition push for anti-dynasty law

MANILA, Philippines – A group of reform-minded dynasts, academics, public servants including Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, and other citizens has launched a new network pushing for the passage of an anti-dynasty law.

“The recent flood control scandal has again exposed the entrenchment, scale, and normalization of corruption in our country. This has been enabled by gross political and socio-economic inequalities, engendered by the dominance of political families,” the Anti-Dynasty Network said in a statement on Monday, December 8.

Rappler’s investigative series on flood control corruption showed that members of political dynasties are often linked to government contractors that bagged multi-billion infrastructure projects.

Under the draft proposal, the coalition wants the following key provisions in the anti-dynasty bill:

• No family member may immediately succeed an incumbent in any elective post.
• The restriction must apply up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, covering grandparents, parents, spouses, in-laws, children, siblings, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and first cousins.
• The ban must cover overlapping constituencies.
• No two relatives within the fourth degree may simultaneously run for or hold the positions of president, vice president, or senator.
• No two relatives within the fourth degree may simultaneously run for or hold office within the same province, city, or municipality.
• No local official may be related to the district representative of the same area.
• No relative of an incumbent official should be fielded as a party-list nominee.

“We call for a citizen-driven national dialogue on the issue of political dynasties. We encourage the coming together of all similar networks and stakeholders to converse with each other toward articulating a unified citizen position on dynasties that will secure a democracy that works for all and not the few,” the coalition said.

The coalition urged citizens who support its advocacy to sign up through this link.

Reform-minded dynast

While himself part of a political clan, Sotto has consistently rejected dynastic politics. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is his uncle while Quezon City Vice Mayor Gian Sotto is his cousin.

When he was elected Pagis mayor in 2019, Sotto ended the decades-long Eusebio rule in the city. He is now one of the co-convenors of Mayors for Good Governance.

Also joining the network are descendants of prominent political families who are against political dynasties. They include:

• Francis Aquino Dee, grandson of the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. and former president Corazon “Cory” Aquino
• Patrick Ramos Jalasco, grandson of former president Fidel V. Ramos
• Michaela Defensor, daughter of former Anakalusugan representative Mike Defensor

Development worker Mags Maglana, who challenged 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte in previous elections, was also a signatory.

Other members of the coalition are professors Carmel V. Abao, Julio Teehankee, Jean Encinas-Franco, Luis Abad, Paul Abaya, Sol Iglesias, Reynold Agnes, and Jan Robert Go; Pulse Asia Research, Incorporated President Ronnie Holmes; and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of Social Services and Development Deputy Director Nur-Ainee Tan Lim.

Aika Robredo, who also teaches at Ateneo, is part of the network. She is the eldest daughter of former vice president and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and the late interior secretary Jesse Robredo.

Studies have shown links between political dynasties and poverty. Legal Network for Truthful Elections executive director Rona Ann Caritos said areas controlled by political dynasties also have higher risks of corruption and this is “why people don’t get the service and programs they really deserve.”

The 1987 Constitution mandates that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

The definition of dynasties, however, and how they are to be prohibited have yet to be defined by Congress, which has been dominated through the years by members of political dynasties. – Rappler.com