Business groups push signature drive if anti-dynasty bill falters in Congress

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

A COALITION of business and civil society groups is calling for a public signature drive if Congress fails to pass a strong law limiting political dynasties, saying such a measure is needed to curb corruption.

In a joint statement on Thursday, 31 groups including the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged lawmakers to enact “clear and enforceable” provisions in an anti-political dynasty bill. The groups said coverage should extend to fourth-degree relatives to prevent families from consolidating political power.

“The battle against political dynasties is a battle against corruption itself,” the coalition said. “For our nation to finally break free from the bondage of corruption, political dynasties should no longer thrive.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has made curbing political dynasties a priority, and the issue has resurfaced in Congress after past efforts repeatedly stalled.

The Legislature remains dominated by political families, with eight of 10 lawmakers belonging to dynasties, according to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong, chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said the body plans to pass a measure, pending nationwide consultations.

The main hurdle is the bill’s scope: whether it should cover second-degree relatives — grandparents, siblings and grandchildren — or extend to fourth-degree relations, including first cousins and great aunts and uncles.

“The debate really boils down to whether the anti-political dynasty provision would translate to a fourth-degree prohibition or only cover second-degree relatives,” Mr. Adiong told a news briefing.

‘COOLING-OFF’ PERIOD
The coalition recommended barring fourth-degree relatives from holding concurrent office, explicitly prohibiting substitution, rotation and position-switching among prohibited relatives to circumvent term limits.

They also suggested a “cooling-off” period, preventing officials who have completed their full terms from immediately seeking the same position after sitting out one electoral cycle.

House Deputy Minority Leader Antonio L. Tinio said political dynasties are the root of widespread corruption. “Their positions were used for corruption, and the fruit of corruption was used to gain a foothold in power,” he told BusinessWorld.

The 1987 Constitution bans political dynasties but requires an enabling law, which has never been enacted. Mr. Adiong said broader political reforms are needed, including revisions to campaign financing rules, stronger party systems and updates to the Omnibus Election Code.

The House committee has launched a nationwide campaign to gauge public sentiment. Its first round of consultations took place in Cavite, part of the vote-rich Calabarzon region.

Participants from youth and local government groups argued that dynasties could provide continuity in programs and projects.

“If leaders are from one family, there will be continuity in the programs and projects they carry out,” said student participant Rafaelli Altarez.

Mr. Adiong said consultations would continue in the Visayas and Mindanao regions next week to gather wider inputs.

Marcus Liam T. Saladino, a youth representative, voiced concerns about restricting political opportunities: “We don’t choose our parents,” he said the consultation in Filipino. “What if you also want to become a politician, but your parents are already one?”

The coalition said lawmakers must act quickly to ensure that any legislation effectively limits family dominance in politics.

Without enforceable rules, it warned, political dynasties would continue to consolidate power, undermining governance and accountability.

Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto last month said proposals to regulate political dynasties in the Philippines should avoid being “extreme.”

He said the objective of an anti-political dynasty law should be incremental reform rather than sweeping prohibitions, expressing confidence that a version of the measure could be enacted before the filing of certificates of candidacy for the next national elections.

Election watchdogs and governance advocates have said the absence of an anti-dynasty law weakens political competition and reinforces inequality in access to public office, particularly at the local level.

The renewed push comes as the administration seeks to advance governance reforms ahead of the 2028 elections, with the filing of certificates of candidacy expected in late 2027.

The Palace has said Mr. Marcos supports regulating political dynasties after seeing how the system has been abused, a shift from earlier remarks made when he was still a presidential aspirant, when he said there was nothing inherently wrong with political dynasties.

Mr. Marcos comes from a political family in Ilocos Norte, while Mr. Recto is also a member of a prominent political clan. Both have acknowledged the sensitivity of regulating dynasties in a Congress dominated by such families.