Coalition launches online signature campaign for anti-political dynasty law

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The Dapat Isa Lang Coalition on Wednesday launched its online platform for its signature campaign to enact a genuine anti-political dynasty law.

The coalition seeks to prohibit political dynasties up to the 4th civil degree of consanguinity, allowing only one member of a family to hold a national elective office and only one to hold a local elective office at a time.

Interested individuals may visit the d1l.org to sign, according to the coalition.

“Why the 4th degree? Because we know the Filipino family. Hindi natapos ang pamilya sa asawa at anak. Hindi natatapos ito sa magulang at kapatid. Kasama sa tunay na operasyon ng isang political clan ang tiyuhin, tiyahin, the rest of the family, pamangkin, pinsan, and sometimes even common-law partners,” lawyer Eirene Aguila said.

(Why the 4th degree? Because we know the Filipino family. The family does not end with the spouse and children. It does not end with the parents and siblings. The real operation of a political clan includes uncles, aunts, the rest of the family, nieces and nephews, cousins, and sometimes even common-law partners.)

Dapat Isa Lang was launched as a signature campaign in May this year aiming to gather at least seven million signatures or 10 percent of the country's registered voters.

The Supreme Court has recently directed Congress to enact an anti-political dynasty law at the earliest opportunity, saying its failure to do so for 39 years constitutes grave abuse of discretion.

The SC, however, is leaving it to Congress to define what constitutes a political dynasty and determine the scope of the prohibition.

Following this, retired Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said they will seek recourse from the SC should Congress pass the controversial anti-political dynasty bill principally authored by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos.

The bill, passed on third and final reading in June, bans relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or occupying a post in the same constituency or jurisdiction.

For his part, Marcos said that the bill is not yet set in stone as revisions can still be made during the deliberations of the bicameral conference committee. —KG, GMA News