BAGONG Alyansang Makabayan bloc is seeking to file a petition to disqualify members of political dynasties seeking a seat in the May 2025 midterm elections.
Teddy Casiño, Makabayan bloc national chairperson, who is also gunning a seat in the Senate, said they will use the “anti-political dynasty” provision under Republic Act 11768 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act.
“In the SK Law, the Congress defined what political dynasties are as far as the SK is concerned. Our theory is this can be applied also to other candidates,” Casiño said in a press conference at the Coffee at Yellow Hauz here on Wednesday.
Casiño added they will file the petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) national office in November, following the release of the official list of candidates in October.
Republic Act 11768 Section 2 (Section 10 of the R.A. 10742, otherwise known as the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015”) states that for an SK candidate to qualify, he “must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where the appointive or elective official seeks to be elected.”
Casiño said they are yet to finalize the list but stressed that they will have a “few samples” considering the Duterte clan as “definitely on top” in their list. Dutertes, he said, is among the “worst examples” of a political dynasty.
Five members of the Duterte family are vying for a position in the local government in the upcoming 2025 elections.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte filed his candidacy as city mayor on Oct. 7, along with running mate, incumbent Mayor Sebastian for vice mayor.
Paolo, the first congressional district representative, filed his bid for reelection, while his children, Omar, incumbent barangay chair of Buhangin and Rigo, a fresh graduate and newbie in politics, filed their candidacies as representative of the city’s 2nd and 1st district councilor, respectively.
The 79-year-old FPRRD was the OIC vice mayor of the city from 1986-1987 substituting his mother Soledad. He became city mayor in 1988-1998, 2001-2010, 2013 to 2016. In 2010-2013 he was elected the vice mayor while his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, was mayor. From 1998-2001, he sat as representative of the city’s first district representative to the Congress.
Meanwhile, Paolo, was the 1st district representative since 2019, became vice mayor from 2013-2017 and Catalunan Grande barangay chair from 2007-2013.
Mayor Sebastian served as vice mayor from 2019-2022 under his sister, VP Sara as the mayor, and the city mayor in 2022.
“Basically, the theory is that SK officials are no different from other elected officials. Wala silang pinagkaiba sa konsehal, mayors, vice mayors, board members, governors, congressmen, and senators. They are all public officials. Ang definition ng dynasty in SK is not different from other positions,” Casiño stressed.
“Kung manalo yun, then we will argue that it should be applicable to all,” he added promoting “equal protection of the law.”
Casiño said if the poll body will dismiss their petition, they will escalate the case to the Supreme Court level.
Once the cases are won, aside from legislation, the group will use the opening for a legal action to prohibit the political dynasty in the Constitution.
Casiño admitted the proposition is a challenge considering voters lean on the “positive side” of the political dynasty, however the group will focus on showing the public the effect of political dynasty, and how abuse of power and political power translates to economic power for the politicians.
