‘Is Congress above the Constitution?’: De Lima refutes Escudero on anti-political dynasty law

April 6, 2025 , 05:43 PM

(March 6, 2025) – Former senator Leila De Lima insisted that it is not the Supreme Court but the 1987 Constitution that mandates Congress to pass a law against political dynasties.

De Lima refuted Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero, who said that the Supreme Court can’t force Congress to pass the measure because it’s a “political question.”

“According to the Constitution, Congress should have already passed an anti-dynasty bill almost 40 years after,” said De Lima in a report from Philstar.com on Sunday. “This is not purely a political question. It’s a constitutional issue of paramount importance. Is he saying that Congress is above the Constitution?”

Escudero made the remark after civic groups and concerned individuals filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to compel lawmakers to pass an anti-political dynasty law provided in Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution.

The provision requires the state to “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” The Supreme Court has previously ruled that this is non-self-executing, meaning it needs an enabling legislation from Congress.

READ: Supreme Court cannot compel Congress to enact law against political dynasties, says Escudero

“Until and unless the honorable court intervenes to direct Congress to enact an anti-dynasty law, Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution is all but dead and useless,” added De Lima, the first nominee of Mamamayang Liberal in this year’s midterm elections.

A report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism in 2024 found that 80% of congressional districts are controlled by political dynasties.

In the current Senate, there are high-profile examples: Mother and son Sen. Cynthia Villar and Sen. Mark Villar, siblings Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Pia Cayetano, half-brothers Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Sen. JV Ejercito, and Sen. Imee Marcos, the sister of Pres. Bongbong Marcos Jr.

Vice Pres. Sara Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, is the daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who previously served as mayor of Davao City —a post he held for decades. He is running for mayor once again in this year’s midterm elections.

(PM)

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