Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed Congress to prioritize several key legislative measures, including an anti-political dynasty bill, as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in government.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos issued the instructions during a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Tuesday morning.
“President Marcos directed Congress to take a closer look at these proposed bills and prioritize their passage as soon as possible,” Castro said.
The bills highlighted by Marcos include:
- Anti-Dynasty Bill
- Independent People’s Commission (IPC) Act
- Party-List System Reform Act
- Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act
The LEDAC meeting was attended by Senate President Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, Senator Migz Zubiri, and other congressional leaders. Participants also agreed on timelines for the passage of the 2026 General Appropriations Bill and the submission of enrolled bills for the president’s signature.
The anti-dynasty measure seeks to implement the 1987 Constitution’s mandate prohibiting political dynasties.
Multiple bills have been filed in both the House and Senate to define which relatives of public officials would be restricted from holding office. House Bills 209 and 5905 aim to bar relatives up to the fourth degree, while Senate measures, including one filed by Sen. Ping Lacson, cover up to the second degree. Sen. Risa Hontiveros has also filed a “Contra-Dynasty Act” in the Senate.
Aside from the anti-dynasty bill, Marcos has also pushed for reforms in the party-list system, noting that 86 of 156 accredited groups are allegedly connected to political dynasties.
Meanwhile, the IPC bills aim to establish a permanent, independent, and non-partisan commission tasked with investigating alleged irregularities and corruption in government infrastructure projects at all levels, from national agencies to local government units (LGUs) and government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs).
While Marcos has emphasized the importance of these reforms, critics have questioned the administration’s consistency.
Some lawmakers, including Lacson, have expressed concern over Malacañang’s apparent lack of enthusiasm for fully supporting an independent commission. Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno likewise criticized the government for showing insufficient sincerity in addressing corruption.
The CADENA Act, meanwhile, aims to digitize government spending transactions, making them accessible to the public.
