TACLOBAN CITY — Mayor Alfred Romualdez played down the renewed debate over the proposed anti-dynasty bill, saying the measure remains legally complicated and risks being struck down unless it is carefully aligned with the Constitution, even as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has expressed support for its passage.
Speaking at a media conference on December 13, Romualdez was asked to share his position on the long-pending anti-dynasty measure in Congress, which seeks to regulate the concentration of political power among related individuals—a provision mandated but not clearly defined under the 1987 Constitution.
Romualdez said one of the main reasons Congress has failed for decades to pass an enabling law is the difficulty of crafting a definition of political dynasty that would withstand scrutiny by the Supreme Court.
“What dynasty? As you can see now, even siblings do not agree with each other,” Romualdez said, alluding to the disagreement between his cousins, Pres. Marcos and his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos.
Under the Constitution, a political dynasty generally refers to the concentration or perpetuation of political power by individuals related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, including siblings. However, the absence of a clear, enforceable definition has stalled the passage of an enabling law for decades.
Romualdez said he hopes the proposed anti-dynasty bill—co-authored by House Speaker Faustino Dy and his nephew, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, the President’s son—will be carefully crafted to conform to constitutional standards.
“Congress cannot just pass a law. It should conform with the Constitution. Sometimes it sounds good but does not conform with the Constitution,” he said.
He added that once enacted, any law could be challenged before the Supreme Court. “Anyone can file a petition questioning its constitutionality because they have the right to vote and to run for office. That’s why it’s complicated,” Romualdez said.
Asked whether he plans to seek another elective post in the 2028 elections as he completes his third and final term as mayor, Romualdez dismissed the idea, saying, “My doctor’s advice is not to run but just to walk.” His son, Raymund Romualdez, currently serves as vice mayor of Tacloban City.
The mayor also said the anti-dynasty bill should not be treated as an immediate priority, citing more pressing national concerns such as flood control projects.
“I’m okay with the anti-dynasty bill, but we are confronted with the flood control controversy,” he said. “I am really concerned about flood control because we have lost thousands of lives during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda, and flood control projects are critical to the lives of the Filipino people.”
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
