A LONG LIST of multi-sectoral organizations called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Philippine Senate to reject what has been aptly referred to as a ‘fake’ anti-political dynasty bill that was earlier approved by members of the House of Representatives.
In a manifesto, representatives from various sectoral groups made a sweeping claim that House Bill 8389 would only fortify the clout of clans in power.
The signatories include the Justice Reform Initiative, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, Philippine Institute of Arbitrators and Shareholders’ Association of the Philippines.
PRO-DYNASTY BILL
According to the signatories, HB 8389 institutionalizes the concentration of political power among a few families instead of dismantling political dynasties.
Under HB 8389, relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are prohibited from holding elective positions within the same jurisdiction — which though at first glance looks like a restriction, when in reality it is not.
“We have all seen a single family hold the governorship, congressional seat and mayoralty of a province simultaneously while a brother or son sits in the Senate,” reads part of the manifesto.
The bill would allow unlimited succession or the practice of handing out a position to a spouse, child or sibling after reaching the term limit, as if it were a legacy, they pointed out.
HB 8389 also legitimizes switching position, or the swapping of elective posts of family members once their respective terms expire, they warned.
The House-approved measure allows relatives beyond the second degree, such as uncles, aunts and cousins, to hold offices across every level of government, the groups said.
DAPAT ISA LANG
Filipinos should support the “Dapat Isa Lang” campaign of the People’s Initiative Coalition Against Dynasties, which seeks to limit family members up to the fourth degree to one national and one local position at a time, they said.
The campaign also pushes for firm prohibitions on succession and switching.
Recent data from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) showed that 87% of provincial governors and 80% of district representatives in recent election cycles are dynastic.
At least 18 provinces are classified as having “obese dynasties,” where five or more relatives concurrently hold office in the same local jurisdiction.
A comprehensive study by the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department found that nearly 54% of local government posts are occupied by members of political families.
THRIVING DYNASTS
Proponents behind the House-approved anti-dynasty bill have repeatedly claimed that the legislative measure – if enacted into law, will displace over 5,000 dynastic officials.
However, advocacy groups like NAMFREL (National Movement for Free Election) believe otherwise as the bill is no more than a regulatory framework rather than an outright ban since it allows clan members to simultaneously hold positions at different levels of government (e.g., Congress and a local municipality).
In Cavite province alone, seven politicians surnamed Remulla are taking turns in elective positions including congressional representative, governor, mayor, vice-mayor and councilor.
Of the seven Remullas, three were eventually appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in various national government offices — Department of Justice, Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Interior and Local Government and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
SENATE VERSIONS
The Senate is currently consolidating several versions of the bill, which many civil society organizations view as containing stricter definitions of political clans.
Studies from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies consistently link a high concentration of political families with higher local poverty rates and weaker institutional checks and balances.
National surveys show that over 54% of Filipinos support an anti-political dynasty law, with the highest approval ratings in Metro Manila at 69%.
Article II, Section 26 of the Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines already mandates equal access to public service and prohibits political dynasties; however, it has required an enabling law to take effect since 1987.