Anti-dynasty provision in Bangsamoro draft divides bicam
SENATE President Vicente Sotto 3rd and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon expressed opposing views on the deletion of the anti-dynasty provision in the proposed final draft of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).
The bicameral conference committee tasked to finalize the proposed BBL on Tuesday resumed its session on Tuesday to tackle the contentious provisions in the BBL, including the one on anti-dynasty.
The bicam, composed of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, on Monday night decided to remove the anti-dynasty provision in the BBL.
“I’m glad they removed it. Otherwise, we will be disenfranchising the legitimate family members while mistresses and their relatives will be allowed instead because they do not classify under the second degree of consanguinity,” Sotto said in a text message.
Drilon said the adoption of the supposed anti-dynasty provision in the Senate BBL version “was strongly opposed by some members of the panel.”
“As a form of protest, I did not argue and push for its adoption anymore because the provision, as crafted, is useless,” he said in a text message.
“It is a much weaker provision than that provided in the SK (Sangguniang Kabataan or youth council) law,” said Drilon, a member of the Senate contingent to the bicam.
He added, “Such provision will not really curb dynastic behaviors. In fact, it is a hypocritical provision, toothless to address the ill effects of dynasties. We might as well do away with it.”
“What we need is a strong regulation of dynasties applicable to all public officers. I already signed a committee report regulating it,” he said.
Another member of the bicam, Sen. Francis Escudero said, “It applies only to party-list representatives and not to the other members of parliament or other officials of the Bangsamoro.”
“It is, therefore, selective, discriminatory and ineffective per the bicam,” Escudero added.
Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel declined to comment on the matter.
“Chair (Sen. Juan Miguel) Zubiri will be the one to announce results (of the bicam).” BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO
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