Congress’ extreme repugnance to pass a law “guaranteeing equal access to opportunities for public servants and prohibit political dynasties” derives from one of the many defects of the 1987 Constitution.
The members of the 1987 Constitutional Commission (some of them are former and present members of Congress) failed to define “political dynasties” in the charter, entrusting instead that crucial task to legislators. We poor Filipinos have been suffering the effects of this oversight.
Adding salt to injury, the framers also incorporated the party-list system into our legislature, thus creating a new avenue for political dynasties to extend and entrench themselves.
Congressmen and senators will not impose a death sentence on their own political business.
How much do taxpayers pay to maintain such political dynasties and the party-list system?
Billions of pesos!
We should not entrust the responsibility of dismantling political dynasties to our government. Only the people can save our politics through a people’s initiative.
ISIDRO C. VALENCIA, Taguig City