Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Tuesday said the next Philippine president should not belong to a political dynasty as he renewed calls for the passage of an anti-dynasty measure.

Citing data, Pangilinan said poverty is deepest in areas where political dynasties thrive.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism show that the 10 regions with the highest poverty incidence are heavily governed by political dynasties.

All provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao — which registered the highest poverty rate in 2021 at 37.2 percent — are led by political families.

In the Caraga Region (33.2 percent), Zamboanga Peninsula (30.1 percent), Bicol Region (29.3 percent), and Eastern Visayas (28.9 percent), most, if not all, provinces are led by politicians from dynasties.

The Philippine Institute for Development Studies has also noted that dynasties can weaken checks and balances, making it harder for development-focused leaders to emerge.

“This is the time to prove that we are serious about wanting the country to be a success. That the next president will not belong to a political dynasty,” Pangilinan said.

“Because if there are no political dynasties, there will be no poverty. The people are watching, and further postponement will not be sold,” he added.

Pangilinan also called on Senate leaders to begin hearings on filed anti-dynasty bills, including those authored by Senators Risa Hontiveros, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Robinhood Padilla, Bam Aquino and JV Ejercito.