Philippine Groups Urge Stronger Anti-Dynasty Law

A coalition of 31 business and civil society organizations in the Philippines is urging Congress to pass a stronger Anti-Political Dynasty Law. They argue that the current House Bill No. 6771, co-authored by House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos and Speaker Bojie Dy, is insufficient as it allows for succession, substitution, and rotation among relatives, effectively preserving political monopolies. The coalition warns that the concentration of power among political families fuels corruption, inequality, and poverty, extending their influence into local economies through business interests and preferential permits. They propose key provisions for a genuine law, including a ban on relatives within the fourth civil degree from simultaneously or consecutively holding office under a 'one local, one national' framework, explicit prohibitions on circumvention tactics, and a mandatory cooling-off period. The groups have called for a people's initiative if Congress fails to enact a genuine law, leveraging the Philippines===Philippine national identity card for digital signature verification.