Palace: Marcos backing anti-dynasty bill as political landscape ‘changes’

Malacañang on Wednesday said President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is supporting the proposed anti-dynasty measure, citing shifts in the country’s political environment and growing public clamor for fairer governance.

Palace Press Officer, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, said the President’s position reflects concerns over abuses committed by some political figures.

"Nagbabago ang political landscape, maraming umaabuso. At tama naman ang Pangulo – ang kapangyarihan ng pagboto ay nasa kamay ng taumbayan pero dahil dito may mga naaabuso (The political landscape is changing, and many are taking advantage. And the President is right – the power to vote lies in the hands of the people, but because of this, some abuse it),” Castro told reporters. 

She added. “Nais ng Pangulo na ipabatid sa taumbayan na kayo ay may choice – choice na naaayon sa merito hindi lamang dahil pare-pareho ng apelyido (The President wants to convey to the people that you have a choice – a choice based on merit, not merely because you share the same last name).”

Marcos’ earlier stance during his 2022 presidential campaign, when he asserted there was “nothing wrong” with political dynasties and argued that elections were the best way to address the issue. 

Castro emphasized that recent developments in government have intensified calls for reform. 

When asked whether the Palace is confident that the bill will advance in both chambers of Congress – given that, in reality, some lawmakers come from political dynasties – Castro said the President underscored the need for lawmakers to clarify key definitions in the measure. 

“Kaya ang bilin ng Pangulo, aralin itong mabuti para maging tama ang definition ng dynasty (That is why the President’s instruction is to study this carefully to ensure that the definition of a dynasty is correct).”

On Tuesday, Marcos ordered Congress to prioritize four legislative measures aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in government. 

These priorities were underscored during the second Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting held in Malacañang, which highlighted the Anti-Dynasty Bill, the Partylist System Reform Act, and the Independent People’s Commission Act – described by Marcos as a “powerful body” that would investigate illegal infrastructure projects, with the reminder that it must not be used for political persecution – as well as the Citizen Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, aimed at ensuring transparency and the responsible use of public funds.

The LEDAC meeting also tackled the timeline for the passage of the General Appropriations Bill and the submission of enrolled bills for the President’s signature.

Malacañang said these reforms align with the administration’s push for “open and inclusive governance.”