• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Civic and church leaders launched Aug. 13 in Bacolod City the “Dapat 1sa Lang” campaign and called for the passage of a genuine anti-political dynasty law through a constitutional people’s initiative.
Campaign advocate Karlo Abadines said the proposed measure aims to restrict political families from holding more than one post at a time.
The proposal extends the prohibition to relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity, while barring simultaneous or successive terms, from the president to the kawagad.
“The people’s initiative is a constitutional power given to the people in Article 6, Section 32 of the Philippine Constitution. It is a power to pass a law without the need to pass through Congress, without the need to pass through the president,” he said in a press conference.
Abadines cited a study which reveals that at least 90 percent of Filipinos live in a dynasty control area.
Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza said the drive is a structural reform to widen access to public service.
“This is not a campaign against one family. It is not against one political party. It is not directed against one province, one administration, or one group of politicians. It is a campaign for a stronger democracy,” the bishop said.
The campaign requires support from at least 10 percent of registered voters nationwide and three percent per legislative district.
To trigger a national referendum, organizers must collect seven million to 7.5 million signatures by the end of the year.
Abadines noted that a manual signature campaign has started, and will continue through digital signature collection while working with the Commission on Elections for verification.
The movement also already engaged 50 national and local organizations, dioceses, schools, parishes, and youth groups. | TMD
