https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D1Kckz8SH/
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – THE House of Representatives brought the national debate on political dynasties to Mindanao Friday, completing the third and final leg of its nationwide consultations on 24 pending Anti-Political Dynasty bills — a move lawmakers described as placing the people “at the heart of reform.”
The public consultation, held at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) Gymnasium here, was led by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur.
It capped earlier hearings in Cavite (Luzon) and Cebu (Visayas), forming what the panel called a deliberate three-island cluster approach to ensure regional voices shape the proposed law.
Framing the issue as a constitutional mandate rather than a political contest, Adiong underscored the role of citizens in defining the limits and safeguards of public office.
“Sovereignty lies in the people. It is the people’s participation which breathes life into legislation. Today is your opportunity to partake in crafting the rules and conditions of public office,” Adiong said.
He added: “Ang inyong lingkod, ang Komite ay narito upang dinggin at ipasa ang mga batas upang maprotektahan, mapangalagaan, at mapalago ang ating karapatan sa pagboto at sa representasyon.”
The Mindanao leg drew local officials, civil society groups, members of the academe, and ordinary citizens — reflecting what the committee described as a broad-based consultation process aimed at crafting a measure that is both constitutionally sound and practically enforceable.
In a video message, Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III emphasized that the outreach to Mindanao was intentional and necessary.
“Ngayon naman po ay lumalapit ang Kongreso sa inyo, mga mahal naming taga-Mindanao, dahil ang inyong tinig at damdamin ay aming pinahahalagahan at isinasaalang-alang,” Dy said.
Lawmakers said the consultation signals momentum in the 20th Congress to finally address the long-debated constitutional provision directing Congress to prohibit political dynasties “as may be defined by law.” Speaker Dy has publicly committed to pushing for the passage of a “fair, implementable” measure.
The event was hosted by the USTP-Cagayan de Oro, with acknowledgments extended to Chancellor Joey Albina, Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy, Vice Mayor Jocelyn “Bebot” Rodriguez, Rep. Rufus Rodriguez and Rep. Atty. Lordan Suan.
Also present were Committee Vice Chairperson Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, Suan (1st District, Cagayan de Oro City), Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago, Rep. Rachel Marguerite B. Del Mar, Rep. Nathaniel M. Oducado, Rep. Atty. Jennifer “Karen” A. Lagbas, and Rep. Yevgeny Vicente B. Emano.
Closing the hearing, Adiong reiterated the consultative tone of the process.
“This is your opportunity to speak, and it is our duty to listen. Let us begin,” Adiong said.
Inputs gathered from Mindanao — together with those from Luzon and Visayas — will now feed into committee deliberations as lawmakers move toward consolidating the 24 proposals into a single measure that seeks to balance reform with voters’ right to choose.
The post House brings Anti-Dynasty debate to CDO, eyes ‘balanced, implementable’ law appeared first on Journal News Online.
