MANILA — Marking a significant reversal from his earlier position, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is now pushing Congress to act on a long-stalled anti-political dynasty bill, with Malacañang saying the surge in reported abuses and the shifting political climate have made structural reform “necessary.”
Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the President’s endorsement reflects growing concern that political power is being misused and that voters increasingly want safeguards against entrenched clans.
“Nagbabago ang political landscape, maraming umaabuso… at tama naman ang Pangulo, ang kapangyarihan ng pagboto ay nasa kamay ng taumbayan,” Castro said.
“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,” she added.
Castro said the administration now recognizes the rising public demand for accountability, stressing that the present conditions show that the “public demands a fairer system.”
The Palace’s latest position contrasts sharply with Marcos’ stance during the 2022 campaign, when he argued that elections alone served as the natural check against political dynasties, insisting back then that voting remained “the best way to get rid of political dynasty.”
The President’s shift comes as lawmakers in both chambers revive long-stalled measures seeking to regulate political dynasties — efforts that repeatedly collapsed in past Congresses due to the influence of political families within the legislative branch./PN
