Padilla says to work to ban dynasties 'little by little' | ABS-CBN
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Padilla says to work to ban dynasties 'little by little'
Padilla says to work to ban dynasties 'little by little'
Sen. Robin Padilla during the Senate hearing on the Medical Cannabis Compassionate Access Act in Pasay City on July 13, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — Sen. Robin Padilla vowed Saturday to pursue in the future the passage of an enabling law that would finally ban political dynasties in the country.
MANILA — Sen. Robin Padilla vowed Saturday to pursue in the future the passage of an enabling law that would finally ban political dynasties in the country.
But the ban, nearly four decades since its inclusion in the 1987 Constitution, can only be done "little by little", he said as the former actor vowed to change the political system from within.
But the ban, nearly four decades since its inclusion in the 1987 Constitution, can only be done "little by little", he said as the former actor vowed to change the political system from within.
"Ang pakikipaglaban sa sistema dapat matutunan muna paano sila maging kaibigan at mapunta sa bagay saan sila magsakripisyo. Unti natin ginagawa ito. Ang sistema sa Pilipinas, hindi natin puwede biglaan ang pagbabago dahil ang daming dadaanan bago gumawa ng pagbabago," he said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
"Ang pakikipaglaban sa sistema dapat matutunan muna paano sila maging kaibigan at mapunta sa bagay saan sila magsakripisyo. Unti natin ginagawa ito. Ang sistema sa Pilipinas, hindi natin puwede biglaan ang pagbabago dahil ang daming dadaanan bago gumawa ng pagbabago," he said in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
(In fighting the system, we have to learn how to be friends with them so we can bring them around to positions where they would have so sacrifice. We cannot rush the change in the political system of the Philippines because there is a long process to make changes.)
(In fighting the system, we have to learn how to be friends with them so we can bring them around to positions where they would have so sacrifice. We cannot rush the change in the political system of the Philippines because there is a long process to make changes.)
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'CHANGE STARTS WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS'
The starting point is having the right set of local officials, Padilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said.
The starting point is having the right set of local officials, Padilla, chair of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said.
“Pag nakakuha tayo ng magaling na local official, doon malalaman paano magkaroon ng leader na magsa-sakripisyo para mawala ang political dynasty,” said Padilla.
“Pag nakakuha tayo ng magaling na local official, doon malalaman paano magkaroon ng leader na magsa-sakripisyo para mawala ang political dynasty,” said Padilla.
(When we get good local officials, that is where we will see how to get leaders who will sacrifice to get rid of political dynasties.)
(When we get good local officials, that is where we will see how to get leaders who will sacrifice to get rid of political dynasties.)
A majority of elective positions in the Philippines is dominated by dynasties, according to a 2013 study by former Ateneo School of Government dean Ronald Mendoza.
A majority of elective positions in the Philippines is dominated by dynasties, according to a 2013 study by former Ateneo School of Government dean Ronald Mendoza.
Padilla said he wants revive his Resolution of Both Houses No. 5 to amend the Constitution when session resumes on April 29.
Padilla said he wants revive his Resolution of Both Houses No. 5 to amend the Constitution when session resumes on April 29.
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He said the committee will hold hearings for RBH5 in the one month before Congress adjourns sine die.
He said the committee will hold hearings for RBH5 in the one month before Congress adjourns sine die.
Congressional leaders as well as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have said that amendments to the constitution will be limited to economic provisions.
Congressional leaders as well as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. have said that amendments to the constitution will be limited to economic provisions.
FOUR-YEAR TERMS, ONE REELECTION
RBH5 seeks to provide a president and vice president to occupy their respective offices for four years, with potential reelection for one more term.
RBH5 seeks to provide a president and vice president to occupy their respective offices for four years, with potential reelection for one more term.
In his proposal, voters will be required to choose presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the same party.
In his proposal, voters will be required to choose presidential and vice-presidential candidates from the same party.
“Dapat sa ating bansa, pinaiiral sa sistemang ito, ipasok magandang partidong pulitikal,” the senator said, adding the top two officials should have "one line" to avoid in-fighting within the administration.
“Dapat sa ating bansa, pinaiiral sa sistemang ito, ipasok magandang partidong pulitikal,” the senator said, adding the top two officials should have "one line" to avoid in-fighting within the administration.
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RBH5 also proposes to expand the current 24-seat Senate to 54 members. Each senator would have eight-year terms and the potential for reelection for one term.
RBH5 also proposes to expand the current 24-seat Senate to 54 members. Each senator would have eight-year terms and the potential for reelection for one term.
District representatives meanwhile, will serve for four years for up to three consecutive terms, similar to that of local executives.
District representatives meanwhile, will serve for four years for up to three consecutive terms, similar to that of local executives.
He said that the 1935 and 1971 elections provided for four-year terms, so it is not a new concept.
He said that the 1935 and 1971 elections provided for four-year terms, so it is not a new concept.
“Ang akin lang, ito hinihingi mismo ng nasa local. Hindi ko ito naisip o inimbento lang, ito galing sa pakikipagugnayan grounds mismo doon sa grassroots,” Padilla said.
“Ang akin lang, ito hinihingi mismo ng nasa local. Hindi ko ito naisip o inimbento lang, ito galing sa pakikipagugnayan grounds mismo doon sa grassroots,” Padilla said.
(The local officials are asking for that. I did not invent that proposal. It came from the grassroots)
(The local officials are asking for that. I did not invent that proposal. It came from the grassroots)
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Although he acknowledged that 88 percent of respondents in a Pulse Asia survey in March are against charter change, he said he believes the results would be different if a proponent of charter change commissioned the poll.
Although he acknowledged that 88 percent of respondents in a Pulse Asia survey in March are against charter change, he said he believes the results would be different if a proponent of charter change commissioned the poll.
The Pulse Asia survey on charter change was not commissioned.
The Pulse Asia survey on charter change was not commissioned.
PADILLA PUSHES FOR POLITICAL AMENDMENTS
Padilla is optimistic that his colleagues will be more open to support RBH5 since he will be pushing that the amendments be made through a Constitutional Convention of delegates elected by the public.
Padilla is optimistic that his colleagues will be more open to support RBH5 since he will be pushing that the amendments be made through a Constitutional Convention of delegates elected by the public.
Asked how political amendments in the Constitution could ease the hunger of many Filipinos, Padilla answered: “Malaking bagay.” (A big thing)
Asked how political amendments in the Constitution could ease the hunger of many Filipinos, Padilla answered: “Malaking bagay.” (A big thing)
“Ang lahat ng root ng kahirapan natin ay kung ang perang dapat nakalaan sa ating bansa at taumbayan. Masigurado nating lumanding sa taumbayan at Inang Bayan napakalaking bagay para umahon sa kahirapan... Pag nagkaroon ng matitinong opisyal lalo sa local government, mararamdaman nyo ang government kahit sa malayong lugar,” Padilla said.
“Ang lahat ng root ng kahirapan natin ay kung ang perang dapat nakalaan sa ating bansa at taumbayan. Masigurado nating lumanding sa taumbayan at Inang Bayan napakalaking bagay para umahon sa kahirapan... Pag nagkaroon ng matitinong opisyal lalo sa local government, mararamdaman nyo ang government kahit sa malayong lugar,” Padilla said.
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(Poverty is rooted in money meant for the people not reaching them.We have to make sure that the money for the people and for the Motherland land where it should. If we get good officials, especially in local government, government will reach the people even in the remote areas.)
(Poverty is rooted in money meant for the people not reaching them.We have to make sure that the money for the people and for the Motherland land where it should. If we get good officials, especially in local government, government will reach the people even in the remote areas.)
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