By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — A citizens’ movement in Negros has launched a campaign for the passage of what it calls a “genuine” anti-political dynasty law, with organizers preparing a nationwide people’s initiative that could put the measure directly before Filipino voters.
San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza urged Negrenses and Filipinos nationwide to support the Dapat Isa Lang (D1L) movement during its launch Thursday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, also known as the Redemptorist Church, in Bacolod City.
“This is our rare chance to really regain power for the common good … May Negros help lead the way,” Alminaza said.
He also called on Filipinos to move beyond simply criticizing the country’s political culture and work toward building the kind of democracy they want to leave to future generations.
Karlo Abadines, executive director of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, who joined Alminaza at the press conference, said the proposed measure would limit political families to one elected official in a national post and one in a local position.
The proposal would also prohibit relatives of an elected official up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity from running for public office.
It would likewise prohibit succession, replacement or position-switching among relatives and require a one-term cooling-off period after an elected official reaches term limits, Abadines said
The people’s initiative requires signatures from at least 10 percent of registered voters nationwide, or approximately 7 million to 7.5 million voters, with at least 3 percent coming from every legislative district.
Organizers said online signing is expected to begin in September.
After the signatures are gathered, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will verify their authenticity before a nationwide referendum is conducted for voters to approve or reject the proposed measure.
“It will not pass through Congress or the president, once it wins in the referendum, it will automatically become law,” Abadines said.
“We have waited 40 years for an anti-political dynasty law that Congress has not delivered. This is an opportunity for us, the Filipino people, to pass a genuine antipolitical dynasty law,” he said.
Organizers are targeting the measure’s implementation in time for the 2028 elections.
Digital tools are also being developed to allow citizens to sign online. Abadines said the organizers are working with Comelec on the requirements and safeguards for the online process.
Alminaza said the movement is intended to provide citizens an avenue to push for changes in the country’s political system.
“We gather because we believe that our democracy can be better—and that the Filipino people deserve better,” he said.
The 1987 Constitution provides that the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
Alminaza noted that nearly four decades after the Constitution was adopted, the provision has yet to result in a national anti-political dynasty law.
D1L is an all-volunteer, non-partisan citizens’ initiative, he said.
“This is not a campaign against one family or one political party; it is about creating political space so that public service does not become concentrated among a few families, but remains a responsibility and opportunity genuinely open to every Filipino,” Alminaza said.
ia/xf
