A digital platform to collect signatures in support of the people’s initiative to enact a genuine and meaningful anti-political dynasty law was launched Sept. 30, 2026 at the Obispado de Cubao, Quezon City.
It will be recalled that the 1987 Constitution included Article II, Section 26 to guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and to prohibit the proliferation of political dynasties. But 39 years have passed, and Congress still has to enact such law.
The Supreme Court recently put its foot down and unanimously declared that the Anti-Political Dynasty Law is not just an aspiration, but a constitutional command, and that Congress’ prolonged failure to act constitutes grave abuse of discretion. It has directed Congress to enact an Anti-Political Dynasty Law “with utmost urgency” and “at the earliest opportunity.”
20 of 24 senators, or 83 percent, belong to political dynasties; about eight in 10 house district representatives come from political families
Political dynasties have remained widespread across the country. According to research by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), 20 of 24 senators, or 83 percent, belong to political dynasties, while about eight in 10 house district representatives come from political families. Among local officials, 71 of 82 provincial governors, or 87 percent, and 113 of 149 city mayors, or 75 percent, belong to political dynasties.
It is no wonder then that a genuine, meaningful, and effective Anti-Political Dynasty Law clipping the power that political dynasties have been monopolizing for decades, and which has been concentrated and passed within political families like an inheritance, will never be realized if we have to depend on Congress to pass such a law.
Fortunately, the framers of the 1987 Constitution have given legislative power not only to Congress, but also to the people through initiative and referendum. Under Republic Act 6735, Filipinos can directly propose a national law through a people’s initiative. It is, however, a mammoth undertaking, as the petition requires signatures from at least 10 percent of all registered voters nationwide, with at least 3 percent of registered voters in every legislative district. This will be tantamount to engaging registered voters not only in Manila and other big cities, but also in barangays, towns, and provinces all over the country.
Dapat Isa Lang people signing
On May 8 this year, a movement to pass a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law through a people’s initiative was launched at Obispado de Cubao, Quezon City. The Dapat Isa lang (D1L) movement seeks to limit political families to one seat at the national level (President, Vice President, Senate, House of Representatives, party list), and one seat at the provincial level (Governor all the way to Barangay Kagawad), to cover relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, and ban dynastic succession without a one-term cooling-off period.
The movement seeks to limit political families to one seat at the national level (President, Vice President, Senate, House of Representatives, party list), and one seat at the provincial level
The DIL launch named the duly authorized personalities who will file the petition and represent the movement, to sign and do or perform any and all acts necessary for the petition to prosper and succeed: former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio, Clergy for Good Governance (CGG) convenor Fr. Robert P. Reyes, Kontra Dinastiya founder Atty. Alex Lacson, former Comelec Commissioner Luie Tito F. Guia, Justice Reform Initiative (JRI) chair Atty. Alex B. Cabrera, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) executive director Miguel Karlo L. Abadines, DIL spokesperson Atty. Carlo Gino G. Africa, and People’s Initiative Coalition Against Dynasties (PICAD) petitioner Atty. Eirene E. Aguila.
Days after the Supreme Court ordered Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty to pass an Anti-Dynasty Law, Catholic bishops called for the enactment of a genuine and effective law against political dynasties.
In a pastoral letter signed by Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Gilbert Garcera, CBCP backed “dapat isa lang,” describing the initiative as a peaceful, lawful, and democratic effort through which Filipinos can work toward fulfilling that mandate.
CBCP further said it could not remain indifferent to issues involving the moral foundations of society, human dignity, justice, equality, and the common good. And for those reasons, they “support the call to enact a genuine, meaningful, and effective Anti-Political Dynasty law that will faithfully give effect to the mandate of our constitution.”
Since the DIL launch in May, the people’s initiative campaign has received growing support from the grassroots and institutions. The September 30 launch of the digital platform to collect signatures online is expected to boost the campaign of the people’s initiative to enact a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law.
Carlo Africa, Mina Bergara, the author, Julie Lluch, Fr. Robert Reyes, Ason Hipolito
Bishop Elias Ayuban of the Diocese of Cubao, who hosted the event, expressed support for a genuine and meaningful anti-political dynasty movement. He echoed the CBCP pastoral statement that political dynasties are not merely a political question, but also a moral and ethical concern, and that the common good suffers when public authority is treated as private privilege. When power becomes too concentrated, the institutions that should ensure accountability become vulnerable to patronage, favoritism, and particular interests.
Speakers at the event were PICAD chair Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, vice-chair Atty. Alex Lacson, Atty. Eirene Aguila, Karlo Abadines of SLB, Atty. Christian Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, and president of the Philippine Bar Association Rachel Santos, among others.
Atty. Lacson talked about PICAD as a coalition of the DIL movement convened on December 19, 2025. From an initial membership of 10 organizations, it is now comprised of more than 100 organizations nationwide, gaining support from church, schools, business sectors, youth groups, civil society, institutional partners, and many more.
Fr. Robert Reyes, the “Running Priest” convenor of Clergy for Good Governance, prayed and appealed for a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law, exhorting the people to “let go. Let good happen. Let God’s word be heard.”
From the CGG he heads comes “A Prayer Appeal for A Genuine Anti-Dynasty Law”:
To political dynasties:
Public office was entrusted to you. It was never meant to become a family inheritance.
We are not asking you to stop serving. We are asking you to make room, so others may serve too. Magparaya. Yield the seat, and let the people’s choice be genuinely free.
The greatest leaders are remembered not only for what they achieved, but for what they were willing to relinquish for the common good.
To the Filipino people:
We are not spectators.
Our signatures, our votes, and our voices are instruments of responsibility. Let us use them with courage, never out of obligation, fear, or habit.
Lumaya tayo…not through hatred, but through hope.
To pass this genuine people’s initiative for an Anti-Political Dynasty Law, we need the signatures of 10 percent of registered voters nationwide or 7.5 million signatures, with at least 3 percent of the registered voters in every legislative district.
To sign the petition, go to the Dapat Isa Lang website (https://d1l.org)
And lend your signature.
