Critics Slam House Anti-Dynasty Bill for Weak Provisions
Group hits House anti-dynasty bill, citing ‘weak prohibitions’
Image: Inquirer
The Dapat Isa Lang movement criticized the recently passed House Bill No. 8389 in the Philippines for its insufficient measures against political dynasties. The bill only prohibits relatives within the second degree from holding office simultaneously, which critics argue legitimizes existing dynasties and fails to address the issue effectively. D1L advocates for a more stringent law through a people's initiative.
- 01House Bill No. 8389 prohibits only relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from holding public office simultaneously.
- 02Dapat Isa Lang spokesperson Carlo Africa claims the bill legitimizes political dynasties rather than dismantling them.
- 03The proposed alternative law by D1L aims to restrict families to one national and one local seat and prohibits succession or position switching.
- 04To enact the proposed law, D1L needs to gather signatures from 10% of registered voters, including 3% from each legislative district.
- 05The bill's approval reflects a long-standing issue, with Congress failing to pass a genuine anti-dynasty measure for nearly 40 years.
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In the Philippines, the Dapat Isa Lang movement (D1L) has criticized House Bill No. 8389, which recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives, for having inadequate provisions against political dynasties. The bill only restricts relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from holding public office simultaneously, which D1L spokesperson Carlo Africa labeled as a 'watered-down' measure that legitimizes existing political dynasties. He argued that this approach fails to genuinely dismantle the entrenched political families that have dominated the political landscape for decades. D1L is advocating for a more robust anti-political dynasty law through a people's initiative, which would limit each family to one national and one local seat and prohibit succession or position-switching among relatives up to the fourth degree. To move forward, the group is gathering signatures from 10% of registered voters, with a requirement of 3% from each legislative district. Once verified by the Commission on Elections, a national referendum will be held to decide on the proposed law.
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The proposed anti-political dynasty law could significantly alter the political landscape in the Philippines by limiting the influence of entrenched political families.
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