‘Political dynasty ban in SK can be challenged, expanded’ to other positions’

MANILA, Philippines — “Why only the SK?”

This was the question raised by a young official in the Manila city government about a provision in a law that apparently banned candidates of the SK or Sangguniang Kabataan who belong to so-called political dynasties.

Section 10 of Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Act of 2015 mandates that SK candidates “must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected.”

This means that anyone aged 18 to 24 might be disqualified as an SK candidate if any of his parents, siblings and grandparents, as well as his or her spouse, parents and siblings, is an incumbent elected government official.

Speaking to The STAR, Alexander Layos II, officer-in-charge of the Manila city government’s Youth Development and Welfare Bureau, said the provision in the SK reform law was pursuant to the 1987 Constitution, particularly Section 26 that “prohibit(s) political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

However, the political dynasty ban in the SK reform law could be challenged, Layos said.

“Why can’t we apply this to councilors, mayors or congressmen?” Layos, a law graduate and former SK chairman of Barangay 99 in Tondo, said.

He pointed out challenging the scope of the constitutional ban on political dynasty that is currently applicable only to SK, or the prospect of expanding the ban beyond SK, is “valid.”

Despite the issue, Layos emphasized the political dynasty ban in the SK reform law was “one of the good reforms.”