ing for such a proscription. However, the argument to wait for the legislation of an Anti-Political Dynasty Law only benefits politicians who are standing members of political dynasties. In the meantime, the rest of us continue to suffer incompetent and corrupt governance.
But if we fervently believe in the spirit behind this constitutional provision—i.e. maintaining a premium quality public sector—then we can give life to its proscription by not voting for candidates who belong or who are allied to political dynasties. We can even go a step further by passionately convincing others to do the same. And just imagine if a large majority of us overtly and persistently do not vote for dynastic politicians, then Section 26 of Article II could evolve into a constitutional norm which does not need legislation for enforcement. It could then become a standard political practice that is proudly adhered to by everybody in the polity.
To have this deep awareness and insight of constitutional principles is ultimately the hope in commemorating Constitution Day. The fact is a nation’s constitution still has to make sense to the people who live under its dictates. Hence, the need to actually bother to “consecrate and dedicate” ourselves to the Constitution and ponder on its relevance in our own lives. For it is precisely this shared understanding which leads to habitual obedience to constitutional tenets. Indeed, the Constitution should not be the exclusive domain of those who can file petitions before the Supreme Court. (MindaViews is the opinion section of MindaNews. Atty. Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco is a practicing lawyer. He is the author of the book, Rethinking the Bangsamoro Perspective. He researches on current issues in state-building, decentralization and constitutionalism)