President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the ongoing improvement works of the Dungon Bridge IV, along Senator Benigno S. Aquino, Jr. Avenue, in Barangay Calubihan, Iloilo City on Thursday (June 11, 2015) during his visit to the Province of Iloilo. SBSA, Jr. Avenue serves as a gateway to Iloilo City from the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan. The said road also connects the city with the other central towns of Iloilo province.Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson,Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II,Senate President Franklin Drilon Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr.,(MNS Photo )
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Senator Aquilino Pimentel III expressed optimism Thursday that the anti-political dynasty bill will be passed during the term of President Benigno Aquino III even after the House of Representatives decided to recast its version first.
“Yes (I’m optimistic) because everyone seems excited about it,” Pimentel said.
Senate President Franklin Drilon, on the other hand, said he will personally push for the passage of the proposed measure.
“Ako mismo ang magtutulak niyan. Matagal na po iyang aking Itinutulak. admittedly, hindi madali, pero akin pong itutulak ulit sa aming pagbalik sa session,” he said in a radio interview Thursday.
He added that public service should not be monopolized by any one family.
“Sa akin po, ang karunungan sa serbisyo publiko cannot be a monopoly of one family. Iyan po ay nasa ating Saligang Batas, at iyan po ay dapat ipairal natin sa pamamagitan ng ating panukalang batas na ating itutulak sa Senado,” he said.
Pimentel earlier said now is the best time to pass the anti-political dynasty bill.
“I think the idea of having an anti-political dynasty law has the best chance of passing during the Aquino administration because, No. 1, it has passed the committee level in the House and they are now ready for plenary discussion. That is already a big achievement,” he said.
The senator is now polishing his substitute bill which he is expected to submit to the plenary in July when the session resumes.
Pimentel is hoping the bill will pass before October, when candidates will file their certificates of candidacy.
“Sana ma-pass na by October para guided na iyong mga magpa-file. I do not see any insurmountable obstacle even if we pass it beyond October na meron nang listahan of candidates because the Comelec can inform those candidates who will be affected by the anti-dynasty provision na they are affected so they have to choose,” Pimentel said.
“Kung hindi naman ito talaga maipasa before October, we can easily make it applicable to the next scheduled election after 2016, and that could be the barangay elections,” he added.
House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte said Wednesday that they want to make amendments on the bill’s parameters as regards the participation of families in politics and clarify definitions related to political dynasties.
“In the course of intense discussions on (the bill) at the leadership level and at the level of various parties that make up the House majority, various issues have cropped up. We have commissioned a group to try to recast the bill,” Belmonte said.
Already, there are oppositions to the bill.
Senator Nancy Binay said there should be no law that would limit families who want to serve the people through elected posts.
“Para kasi sa amin mas important is the will of the people, di ba? We subject ourselves to an election process. So ang number one din na kailangan is to ensure a clean and honest election,” she said when asked if she supports the anti-political dynasty bill.
Binay’s father is Vice President Jejomar Binay, her sister is Makati Rep. Mar-Len Abigail Binay, and her brother is Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay. (MNS)