MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court will make public copies of several pending petitions and other pleadings on political dynasties to compel Congress to pass laws that will finally address this long-standing contentious issue.
The move comes as members of well-known political families announced their plan to run for public office in the 2025 midterm elections.
The petitions cited Article II Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution that prohibits political dynasties “as defined by law.” Article II, section 26 of the Constitution says that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.” The High Court has previously scrutinized the said provision to resolve similar petitions that were filed in the past.
This includes the petition for mandamus filed in 2012 that asked the high tribunal to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to enforce this particular constitutional provision.
The petition, however, was dismissed as the High Court held that the provision was “not a self-executing provision requiring as it does the legislative act of Congress to define what “political dynasties” are and to prescribe the scope and limits of such prohibition.
“Without an enabling law, the Comelec cannot enforce the prohibition against political dynasties,” the Court said.
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