We will cross that bridge when we reach it.
This was the response of former Chief Justice Reynato Puno when asked about the plans of the Consultative Committee (Con-com) to review the 1987 Constitution if Congress rejects the body鈥檚 anti-dynasty provision in the draft federal Charter.
Speaking to the media听on Tuesday, Puno was mum on the Con-com鈥檚 plan once Congress, sitting as constituent assembly, junks the anti-dynasty bill provision banning family members of up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity to simultaneously run or hold elective positions.
He, however, emphasized the importance of regulating political dynasties, which he said, have 鈥渄esecrated鈥� the essence of democracy.
鈥淎s studies have shown, these political dynasties have blocked the ingress to elective offices on the part of a lot of Filipinos, especially the young people,鈥� Puno said.
鈥淪tudies have also shown that one consequence of their continuing, unbroken rule is the lack of accountability,鈥� he added.
The Con-com last week voted to include the anti-political dynasty provision in the draft federal Charter. It states that immediate family members of up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of incumbent government officials from replacing them.
The provision also disallows members of one family to hold multiple positions or run simultaneously for different seats.
Puno said the provision is sine qua non, or a pre-requisite to the drafting of the new government鈥檚 federal structure as it is one of the major issues raised by critics against federalism.
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READ:听Puno: Political dynasties 鈥榙esecrated鈥� democracy
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According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte鈥攚hose daughter, Inday Sara, sits as Davao City mayor鈥攈as said that anti-political dynasty measures are undemocratic.
In 2016, Duterte created the Con-com through Executive Order No. 10 in a bid to change the country鈥檚 unitary form of government to federal system.听听听听 /muf