Marcos support for anti-dynasty bill due to changed political landscape, abuses — Palace

Malacañang said Wednesday the political landscape in the country has changed, prompting President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. to support the proposed anti-dynasty measure.

This was according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro. She underscored that abuses have been prevalent among politicians.

''Nagbabago ang political landscape, maraming umaabuso... at tama naman ang Pangulo, ang kapangyarihan ng pagboto ay nasa kamay ng taumbayan. Pero dahil dito, may mga naaabuso, nais ng Pangulo na ipabatid sa taumbayan na kayo ay may choice. Choice na naaayon sa merito, hindi lamang dahil pare-pareho ng apelyido,'' Castro said in a briefing.

(The political landscape has changed, a lot have been abusive... and the President is right. The power to vote is in the hands of the public. However, because of this, some have become abusive and the President wants to tell the public that they have a choice. Choice that depends on merit and not on surnames.)

To recall, Marcos, when he was still a presidential aspirant, said that there was nothing wrong with political dynasties.

Marcos had said that an election was "the best way to get rid of political dynasty."

'Fairer system'

Castro, meanwhile, pointed out that with what is currently happening in the government, ''public demands a fairer system.'' 

''Ang nais ng Pangulo, mas lumakas ang kapangyarihan ng taumbayan at hindi ng iilang mapangabusong politiko,'' she said.

(The President wants to strengthen the people's will and not those of abusive politicians.)

The Palace official also said Marcos wants lawmakers to study what will be the definition of the dynasty in the measure.

''Kaya nga ang bilin ng Pangulo, aralin itong mabuti para maging tama ang definition ng dynasty,'' Castro said.

(The President's advice is for the lawmakers to study this well so that the definition of the dynasty will be correct.)

Marcos earlier urged Congress to prioritize the passage of the Anti-Dynasty Bill and the proposed Independent People’s Commission (IPC) Act.

Several measures have been filed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate seeking to give effect to the 1987 Constitution’s provision mandating the prohibition of political dynasties.

Some lawmakers urged Marcos to certify the measure as urgent legislation as soon as possible.

Castro, in response, ensured that even the measure is not yet certified as urgent, it is among his priority bills.

''Hindi naman ibig pong sabihin na hindi sinertify [certify] as urgent ang isang bill ay hindi na po sinsero ang Pangulo. Kaya po binigyan niya ng mensahe, malinaw, priority bills po ang apat na legislative measures,'' she said.

(It doesn't mean that he didn't certify it, he's no longer sincere. That's why he has given a clear message that the four legislative measures are his priority bills.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News