ON AUGUST 13, the One Negros Ecumenical Council (ONEC), Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan and Dapat Isa Lang (D1L) Movement held a press conference in Bacolod City.
Their agenda: a signature drive aimed at passing an anti-political dynasty law through a plebiscite — bypassing Congress and Malacañang altogether.
Their target: seven million signatures, representing 10% of the country’s total registered voters.
Their timeline: before the end of this year.
Their ultimate goal: to hold the plebiscite before the 2028 local and national elections.
Question: Kaya?
ONEC chairperson and Diocese of San Carlos Bishop Gerardo “Gerry” Alminaza confidently told the press: “Yes, kaya!”
‘AGAINST ALL ODDS’
Bishop Alminaza acknowledged that what they are about to undertake is truly “against all odds.”
Fighting the obese, bloated political dynasties entrenched across the country is a gigantic battle.
But the bishop appealed to everyone’s conscience: If Filipinos genuinely want change in the present political system, then they should help the cause.
Corruption within the government system is like “gangrene” or cancer.
The “infection” is metastasizing.
The solution: another form of people power through an anti-political dynasty law, Bishop Alminaza stressed.
‘DAPAT ISA LANG’
Hence, this signature drive, which started in Manila in May and was launched on Negros Island on August 14, has a single purpose: to push for a law embodying the principle of “dapat isa lang” — only one politician from every family.
This is to give others a chance to lead in towns, cities, provinces and the country.
And, of course, to put an end to “politics-cum-family enterprise.”
But Bishop Alminaza knows all too well that the country’s deeply entrenched political dynasties will find ways to “suppress” their current move.
Still, he said they will never back down.
They will fight until they achieve their goal — come hell or high water.
ARITHMETIC BEHIND THE CAUSE
Now, the question is: How will they gather seven million signatures?
Here’s Karlo Abadines, executive director of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan and the Dapat Isa Lang (D1L) Movement, who presented the arithmetic behind their ambitious cause.
He said the seven million signatures represent 10% of the total registered voters across the country’s 244 legislative districts.
Once they achieve their target, the Commission on Elections (Comelec), pursuant to Republic Act No. 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act, will be legally compelled to hold a plebiscite on the proposed anti-political dynasty law.
Then, Filipino voters will cast either “YES” or “NO” votes.
The winning threshold: 50% plus one of the total votes cast.
Attainable?
Abadines said, “Yes!”
But how?
Abadines said they are now developing a program with Comelec for an online signature drive.
Once approved by Comelec, voters may be able to affix their signatures through an electronic platform.
The proposed online application, Abadines said, would also enable Comelec to verify whether each signature submitted electronically is authentic.
Easy. Fast. Reliable.
That’s it!
Hence, they are confident that before the year ends, they can complete both the e-platform and the online collection of seven million signatures.
AMBITIOUS, ARDUOUS
Let’s be candid.
This signature drive and the “dreamed-of plebiscite” to finally enact an anti-political dynasty law are both ambitious and arduous.
At the center of the discussion is the Bodjie Dy-Sandro Marcos House Bill No. 8389, which has already passed the House but is now “sleeping” in the Senate amid growing criticism from various sectors.
Thus, Bishop Alminaza said their groups are taking it upon themselves to help dribble the measure all the way toward finally becoming law.
If politicians who are “guilty” of the “moral crime” of perpetuating political dynasties are behind efforts to block the measure, then the Church and civil society groups “will push the cart” and bring the issue directly to the will of the people, no matter how tedious the task may be, Bishop Alminaza vowed.
And he stressed that the infamous flood control scandal involving trillions of pesos allegedly lost to corruption is more than enough reason to fuel their drive.
FIGHT A LOSING BATTLE
Question: Will Bishop Alminaza become the modern-day “Cardinal Jaime Sin” of the Philippines?
Can he really transform public outrage into a peaceful uprising, much like what Sin did during the historic EDSA People Power Revolution on February 25, 1986?
Maybe yes, maybe not.
But as a Christian, I believe in Divine power.
Sometimes, we tend to fight what appears to be a losing battle.
But if the intention is pure and the cause is for the good of the many, God knows. And sometimes, miracles happen.
Bishop Alminaza is not fighting political dynasties for his own benefit.
He is fighting for Filipinos — for the country to be freed from the bondage of political dynasties.
Yes, he may sound annoying to some.
But there is depth in every line he utters. There is meaning. There is hope.
BATTLE-TESTED
And as a battle-tested servant of God, I know he means what he says and believes in what he is fighting for.
When he waged war against the proposed coal-fired and LNG (liquefied natural gas) plants in San Carlos City years ago, many underestimated him.
But this bishop-slash-environmental warrior won his cause for the sake of the Negrenses and the Negros environment.
Well, I am a believer in what I call an “unsubscribed theory”:
Pure cause + selfless intention = positive impact.
Hence, I pray that God will once again be with Bishop Alminaza in his newest journey and meaningful pursuit against political dynasties.
Yes, “mahaba-habang usapan po ito,” but they have already started setting the wheels in motion.
So, only time will tell what comes next.
But if Filipinos really hate corruption — and if they recognize political dynasties as one of its many contributing factors — then perhaps it is time to take a serious look at the cause being championed by Bishop Alminaza and his allies.
Want real change in government?
Then, join the signature drive against political dynasties.
Kaya?
Hope so! /PN
