ILOILO City — The battle against political dynasties must go beyond elections and confront a system that allows the same powerful families to repeatedly pass government positions among themselves, human rights advocates, youth leaders and clergy declared during the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Monday.
Activists took to the streets of Iloilo City on September 21, turning the annual remembrance into a broader call for accountability, an end to corruption and greater public participation in challenging entrenched political power.
Kahublagan Kontra Korapsyon (KKK) convenor and former Kabataan party-list representative Raoul Manuel warned that unless citizens remain vigilant, political clans could continue producing second- and third-generation heirs who dominate the choices presented to voters.
“Must we rely solely on elections? Do we want our choices in 2034 or 2040 to be Sandro Marcos and Kitty Duterte?” Manuel asked.
“Do you want to keep being forced to choose among nepo babies,” he added.
Manuel likened the persistence of political dynasties to a chess match in which seemingly insignificant pawns can eventually become queens if allowed to advance unchecked.
“Sa hampang nga chess, bisan tatlo ukon apat na lang ang pawns, if makalab-ot sa punta, pwede sila mangin bag-o nga mga reyna. Ano ang buot silingon? Samtang ara sa poder ang mga political dynasties, pwede sila kapadamo sa gihapon,” he explained.
“Sila lang ang gabaylohanay sa pwesto, kag kita nga mga ordinaryo nga Pilipino gusto nila magsunod sunod lang sa ila,” Manuel added.
Recently, the Supreme Court placed the blame squarely on Congress for the concentration of political power to only a few families by not passing a law against political dynasty, thereby “distorting democracy, weakening accountability and fostering conditions conducive to corruption and political patronage.”
“There is basis to extend the prohibition on political dynasties to relatives up to the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and/or affinity,” added Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, the ponente in the Supreme Court’s Aug. 26, 2026, decision released last week ordering congressing to pass an anti-political dynasty law.
Manuel also criticized the Supreme Court’s acquittal of former First Lady Imelda Marcos on seven graft counts during the reign of her dictator husband President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Gin-abswelto sang Korte Suprema si Imelda Marcos sa pito ka kaso sang graft. Kay tungod siya ang Nanay sang Presidente, pwede siya ma-abswelto, pwede bala ina?” Manuel asked the crowd.
He questioned whether genuine accountability could be achieved under the present administration.
“Gusto nila kita papatihon nga may hustisiya sa administrayon nga Marcos, ano abi nila sa aton, mga mango,” Manuel stressed.
He called for accountability across the political spectrum, including Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and other prominent political figures, while arguing that changing individual officeholders would not be enough without broader systemic reforms.
“We don’t just want to arrest specific names in power; we must overhaul the societal system itself so dynastic rule ends and power is returned to the people to craft laws that serve the majority,” Manuel said.
Meanwhile, Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones urged Ilonggos to draw lessons from Martial Law rather than simply consigning the period to history.
“Today marks the remembrance of one of the darkest moments in our history,” Archbishop Billones stated.
“They say dapat mag-move on na, but we say: not move on, but move forward — carrying the lessons of the past so we do not repeat it,” Billones said.
Billones stressed that corruption and injustice are not concerns only of groups directly affected by government abuses, saying their consequences ultimately reach ordinary households through economic hardships.
“What limits us is the thought that only directly affected sectors should speak up,” the Archbishop emphasized.
“The truth is, we are all impacted by injustices that result in high inflation, difficult living conditions, and rampant corruption,” he stated.
The Iloilo demonstration formed part of activities commemorating the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines over 50 years ago, with protesters carrying banners and placards demanding government accountability over human rights, corruption and other social issues.
The gathering ended with community leaders, youth organizations and religious representatives declaring: “Never forget, never again. Never again to Martial Law.”/PN
