Carpio to seek SC help if Congress passes anti-political dynasty bill

Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said they will seek recourse from the High Court should Congress pass the controversial anti-political dynasty bill. Carpio stated that the bill, principally authored by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, effectively legitimizes and entrenches political dynasties. “If they pass this Speaker (Dy)-Sandro Marcos’ bill that was already approved by the House, right? We do not agree with that bill; we will go to the SC and say, this is not an anti-political dynasty law,” he said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB. “This is a political dynasty legitimization and entrenchment law,” he added. The Supreme Court has previously directed Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law at the earliest opportunity, citing its failure to do so for 39 years as grave abuse of discretion. However, the SC left it to Congress to define what constitutes a political dynasty and determine the scope of the prohibition. In June, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading an anti-political dynasty bill that would ban relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or occupying a post in the same constituency or jurisdiction. Carpio also announced plans to mount a people’s initiative to enact a “genuine anti-political dynasty law.” “We do not agree with the Marcos bill passed by the House,” he said. Marcos, for his part, said that the bill is not yet set in stone as revisions can still be made during the deliberations of the bicameral conference committee. Political dynasties in the Philippines have long been criticized for concentrating political power and resources within a few influential families, hindering broader public participation and equal opportunity. The current legislative push and the ensuing legal challenges highlight the persistent struggle to reform the country's political structure.