Lawmaker admits anti-dynasty bill watered down to secure support

ILOCOS NORTE REP. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos III on Wednesday acknowledged the criticism that the House of Representatives’ version of the Anti-Political Dynasty bill is still “pro-dynasty,” but insisted that it was the product of a necessary compromise to gain enough support in the chamber.

“Those concerns are actually very warranted. I understand where people are coming from,” he told reporters.

Mr. Marcos explained that before the vote, the House leadership held consultations with various party blocs to determine the amount of support the bill would receive.

“You really count the votes to see how much support there is in the House,” he said in Filipino.

Mr. Marcos said that their internal assessment showed that the stricter version of the bill would likely not make it through the Lower House.

He also acknowledged the reality of politics in the House, including the presence of political dynasties.

“Let’s call a spade a spade. There are a lot of political dynasties here in the Lower House,” Mr. Marcos said in mixed English and Filipino, noting that he is also part of one.

He stressed that the current version of the bill is not yet the final form of the law, but only a preliminary step.

“It is not a law. This is the only version that has gained support in the House,” he said in Filipino.

Mr. Marcos added that a broader discussion is expected in the Senate, which has developed its own version before going through the bicameral conference committee.

“I highly doubt that the Senate will adopt the House version, so they have their own debates, they have their own provisions, they have their own version,” he said in Filipino, “When they pass their version of the anti-political dynasty bill. And then there will be a bicameral conference, and then there will be an opportunity to amend whatever provisions the Upper House thinks to be inadequate or not tenable to the Filipino people.” — Pexcel John Bacon