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“On Monday, September 21, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. admitted that the Anti-Dynasty bill is considered dead in the House of Representatives. He explained that the measure, which was approved in the committee chaired by Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, was never recommended for plenary despite approval made by the House Committee on Appropriations,” reports Philippine News Agency via InterAksyon.com.
Belmonte told reporters, “We have mixed opinions on the number of members who will be allowed to run.”
The report noted: “Under the measure approved in the committee level, only two members of a family up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity can run but relatives can run in other places. Meanwhile, the Senate version anti-dynasty measure wants only one member of the family while the House allows two. What bothers many members of the House of Representatives is the provision allowing any member of the family to run for any position if he already resides in another province or city.”
Belmonte added, “We have complied with our obligation under the Constitution which says that anti-dynasty as may be provided by law. But I do not want to support an anti-dynasty law which has full of holes.”
The House leadership said this is worst because the measure is already legalizing dynasty elsewhere which he said he cannot allow.
Photo: News clip
