VP candidates agree to pass anti-dynasty law

MANILA, Philippines – All six vice presidential candidates agreed that it is time to pass an anti-political dynasty law during the Commission on Elections (Comelec) debate on Sunday.

Sen. Gringo Honasan, Sen. Bongbong Marcos, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano all answered "yes" when asked about the passing a law against political dynasties.

Escudero clarified that he will only vote for the measure but will not join discussions as he is from a political dynasty. He added that he has not always supported his relatives who ran for elective posts.

Trillanes, however, pointed out that Escudero did not mention that his mother is a representative of Sorsogon.

Meanwhile, Honasan stressed the need for defining a dynasty as there is still now law which defines it.

"Hinay-hinay, hindi pa natin alam ang definition ng dynasty," Honasan said, adding that there is need to strengthen political parties to solve the problem of dynasties.

Even as he agreed with an anti-dynasty bill during the debate, Cayetano, however, said in previous reports that there is nothing wrong with political dynasties.

"If you have relatives in government and all of you are clean, isn’t that better than being the only one in government from your family but you’re quite corrupt?" Cayetano had said.

Marcos, meanwhile, took pride that he authored the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Bill with anti-political dynasty provisions. He claimed that he is the only lawmaker who was able to pass a bill with such provisions.

READ: Noy signs law banning political dynasties in SK

Marcos also noted that voters should not look at the family name of government officials but should consider their track record.

"Kung sinuman dito ang kasali sa political dynasty... Kalimutan niyo na ho ang apelyido namin, tingnan ninyo kung sino ang talagang may nagawa," Marcos said.

Robredo said that she also co-authored an anti-dynasty bill in the Congress and that it has reached the second reading. The lawmaker, however, defended some of the political synasties.

"Totoong may matitinong political dynasties, meron pong hindi," Robredo said. She then cited a study by the Asian Institute of Management showing that political dynasties are linked to poverty.

The lone vice presidential debate sanctioned by the Comelec was held at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.