Business groups are pushing for a signature drive if the anti-monarchy bill languishes in Congress

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, A reporter

A group of businesses and civil society organizations are calling for public signatures if Congress fails to pass a tough law to curb political monarchy, saying such action is necessary to curb corruption.

In a joint statement on Thursday, 31 groups including the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry urged lawmakers to make “clear and workable” provisions in the anti-kingdom bill. These organizations say that fourth-degree relatives must be reached in order to prevent families from consolidating political power.

“The fight against political power is a fight against corruption itself,” the coalition said. “In order for our nation to finally break free from the slavery of corruption, political generations must not continue to develop.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has made curbing political tyranny a priority, and the issue has come up again in Congress after previous efforts have repeatedly stalled.

The Legislature is still full of political families, as eight out of ten people are members of royal families, according to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

Ziaur-Rahman Alonto Adiong, chairman of the House Committee on Reforms and Elections, said the organization plans to pass the measure, pending nationwide consultation.

The biggest obstacle is the scope of the bill: whether you have to include second-degree relatives – grandparents, siblings and grandchildren – or go to fourth-degree relationships, including first cousins ​​and great aunts and uncles.

“The debate depends on whether the provision of political opposition will translate into the prohibition of the fourth degree or include relatives of the second degree,” said Mr. Adiong told a news conference.

‘COOLING OFF’ TIME
The coalition recommended prohibiting relatives of the fourth degree from holding positions at the same time, clearly prohibiting the change, exchange and exchange between prohibited relatives to exceed term limits.

They also proposed a “cooling-off” period, preventing incumbents who have completed their full term from seeking the same position after serving one election cycle.

Deputy House Party Leader Antonio L. Tinio said political generations are the cause of widespread corruption. “Their positions were used for corruption, and the fruits of corruption were used to gain power,” he said BusinessWorld.

The 1987 Constitution bans political generations but requires enabling legislation, which has never been enacted. Mr. Adiong said broader political reforms are needed, including revisions to campaign finance laws, stronger party systems and revisions to the Omnibus Election Code.

A House committee has launched a national campaign to assess public sensitivity. Its first round of consultations took place in Cavite, which is part of the vote-rich state of Calabarzon.

Youth activists and local government groups argue that dynasties can provide continuity to programs and projects.

“If the leaders come from the same family, there will be continuity in the plans and designs they make,” said participating student Rafaelli Altarez.

Mr. Adiong said consultations will continue in the Visayas and Mindanao regions next week to gather broader views.

Marcus Liam T. Saladino, a youth representative, expressed concern about the restriction of political opportunities: “We don’t choose our parents,” he said in an interview in Filipino. “What if you also want to be a politician, but your parents are divorced?”

The coalition said lawmakers must act quickly to ensure that any legislation effectively curbs family dominance in politics.

Without enforceable laws, he warned, political generations will continue to consolidate power, undermining governance and accountability.

Chief Secretary Ralph G. Recto said last month that proposals to regulate political generations in the Philippines should avoid “excessiveness.”

He said that the purpose of the law against political monarchy should be the promotion of change instead of a major ban, expressing confidence that a version of the measure could be passed before the filing of certificates to run for the next national election.

Election watchers and representatives of governance say that the absence of an anti-kingdom law weakens political competition and strengthens inequality in access to government positions, especially at the local level.

The renewed push comes as the administration seeks to advance governance reforms ahead of the 2028 election, with certificates of candidacy expected to be filed in late 2027.

The palace said Mr. Marcos supports the control of political monarchy after seeing how this system has been abused, which is a change from his previous words when he was running for president, when he said that there is nothing inherently wrong with political monarchy.

Mr. Marcos comes from a political family in Ilocos Norte, while Mr. Recto is also a member of a popular political party. Both acknowledged the sensitivity of controlling the monarchy in Congress dominated by such families.