Retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Tirol Carpio issued a stark warning about threats to Philippine governance, citing entrenched political dynasties, unconstitutional confidential funds, and delayed impeachment proceedings during the University of Bohol’s 164th Commencement Exercises on Saturday.

Carpio, former chair of the High Court’s Second Division and the Senate Electoral Tribunal, identified political dynasties as the “fundamental problem” facing the nation. 

He asserted they control approximately 80% of Congress and 50% of local government units (LGUs), perpetuating a “vicious cycle” funded by public money.

“The poor, the poorest LGUs are those controlled by political dynasties,” Carpio said. 

He argued that dynasties use pork barrel allocations – constituting about 60% of the annual budget, largely from borrowed money – to ensure electoral victories for family members. 

He claimed this leads to widespread corruption, particularly in infrastructure projects, and stagnates development.

Carpio noted that the 1987 Constitution “expressly and categorically prohibits” political dynasties but lamented that Congress has failed to pass an enabling law in 38 years. 

He revealed he recently petitioned the Supreme Court to compel Congress to implement the constitutional ban, calling it a “final effort” to prevent demands for a revolutionary government.

Carpio also declared all current confidential funds in national and local budgets unconstitutional. 

He cited the Constitution’s requirement for “full public disclosure of all transactions involving public interest,” noting the absence of any law prescribing exceptions for confidential fund disbursements and liquidations.

“Therefore, at present, confidential funds… are all unconstitutional,” Carpio said. 

He mentioned Davao City’s annual P500 million confidential fund and Quezon City’s allocations as examples, stating other LGUs are following suit. 

He criticized House hearings revealing alleged fraudulent liquidation of these funds, arguing they give dynasties an unfair electoral advantage.

Finally, Carpio addressed the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte, criticizing the Senate’s “unreasonable delay” in convening as an impeachment court. 

He argued the Constitution mandates the Senate trial proceed “forthwith” (agad-agad) after the House transmits articles of impeachment.

He expressed disappointment that the Senate, upon convening, initially moved to dismiss the articles without a trial. 

While that resolution failed, he stressed the constitutional imperative for swift accountability of high-ranking officials.

Carpio concluded by linking the resolution of these three issues directly to achieving good governance, which he called essential for national progress. 

He warned that without accountability, public resources would continue to be wasted, infrastructure would deteriorate, and economic decline would persist.

“Without good governance we will continue to see the worst…leading to economic decline,” Carpio told the Class of 2025. 

He urged the graduates to be clear-eyed about these challenges as they enter the next phase of their lives.