Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains committed to passing an anti-political dynasty bill before the end of his term despite not mentioning the measure in his fifth State of the Nation Address, Malacañang said Wednesday, July 29.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the proposed law continues to be among the administration’s priorities.
“Opo, iyan pa rin po ang nais ng pangulo, na maipasa sa panahon niya at sa kaniyang administrasyon itong anti-political dynasty bill,” she said.
[Translation: Yes, the President still wants the anti-political dynasty bill to be passed during his term and under his administration.]
Castro made the clarification after being asked why Marcos did not mention the proposal in his SONA even though it has been identified as one of the administration’s priority measures.
She said the administration is now waiting for the legislative process to move forward.
“Hintayin na lang po natin kung papaano at hanggang kailan ito magkakaroon ng bicam dahil sa ating pagkakaalam ay ang Senado po yata ang kinakailangan pang may tapusin patungkol diyan,” she added.
[Translation: Let’s wait and see how and when it will reach the bicameral conference committee because, based on what we know, the Senate still has to complete its work on the measure.]
The 1987 Constitution directs Congress to prohibit political dynasties “as may be defined by law,” but lawmakers have yet to pass an enabling measure more than three decades after the charter took effect.
Marcos did not include the anti-political dynasty bill among the legislative priorities he highlighted during Monday’s SONA, prompting questions about whether the administration had changed its position.
