Just days after welcoming reported plans of the Duterte family to field former President Rodrigo Duterte and his two sons to seek Senate seats, Senator Robin Padilla filed an Anti-Political Dynasty Bill prohibiting politicians from perpetuating their family in political power.

In proposing the passage of Senate Bill 2730, Padilla citedthe 2011 Harvard Academy study that warned against political dynasties that give clans a stranglehold of governmental authority.

The actor-turned-politician said “it is time to brreak the barriers that prevent the best and the brightest from serving the Filipino family.”

“Given that this measure complies with the legislature’s mandate to enact an anti-political dynasty law and is a step towards leveling the playing field in politics and governance, the passage thereof is earnestly sought,” he stressed.

The senator, however, did not respond to criticisms that before filing the anti-dynasty measure, he was batting for the election of Duterte and his sons,
Davao City’s Rep.Paulo Duterte and Mayor Sebastian Duterte from simultaneously running for Senate seats next year.

The alleged plan to field three members of the Duterte family was revealed by Vice President Sarah Duterte, daughter of the former chief executive.

“Para sa aking magkakaroon ako ng kakampi sa Senado bukod kay Sen. Bong Go, Sen. Bato (De la Rosa) at Sen. (Francis) Tolentino,” he said.

He then defended his stand by insisting that the three Duterte’s have proven themselves to be outstanding public servants.

The Constitution supports the ban against political dynasties but leaves Congress to pursue it through legislation.

However, Congress is replete with examples of members related by blood, thus, is quite adamant at passing an anti-dynasty law.

Padilla’s bill defines political dynasty as the “concentration, consolidation or perpetuation of political powers by persons related to one another.”