Digital platform launched for anti-dynasty law initiative

MANILA, Philippines — The People’s Initiative Coalition Against Dynasty (PICAD), through its Dapat Isa Lang initiative, launched a digital signature platform yesterday in its push to end political dynasties.

PICAD convenor Eirene Aguila said the initiative aims to collect 7.5 million signatures, with 10 percent coming from registered voters nationwide and the other three percent from each district.

She said the digital platform is “a vehicle to exercise constitutional power” and is not a form of rebellion but “democracy in the most peaceful form.”

“In a people’s initiative, we’re not just mere voters. We help in shaping the law,” she said.

Dapat Isa Lang initially used to collect signatures manually, but it was halted when the coalition decided to move it to a digital platform to be more inclusive.

“The goal is inclusivity. We want everyone’s participation in this campaign,” Karlo Abadines, head of Dapat Isa Lang stated.

When asked about the accessibility, he said they already talked to their partners to organize digital kiosks.

“You can invite community members to go to our partner schools, churches. Our personnel will help them and will provide devices for them to sign the petition,” Abadines said.

PICAD chairman Antonio Carpio demonstrated the step-by-step process on how to sign the petition online through d1l.org.

According to him, the entire process may only last three minutes.

Speaking at the launch of the digital signature platform, former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman and member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission Christian Monsod said gathering 7.3 million signatures in four months is “a huge, huge task.”

“We will help you in this task because we know it’s a difficult one,” he declared.

During his speech, Monsod admitted he initially proposed that the ban on political dynasties should no longer be included in the current Charter but he later withdrew it.

“During the deliberations by the Constitutional Commission on this issue, I myself said ‘wait, if you have this prohibition on dynasties, maybe there are those who are good and honest who happen to belong to a political family and we’re saying he cannot run because of this anti-dynasty provision,’” he said.

While on recess, he said he realized the need to retain the anti-political dynasty provision after discussions with fellow members of the commission.

For instance, such a ban was a “cost and benefit issue” and that it would “open the door to the millions of poor Filipinos who deserve to be in public office,” he said.

Also, the ban on political dynasties would “close the door on the circumvention of the term limits,” especially with succession of family members in elective positions, and at the same time promote “equitable distribution of power for the common good.”

Eventually, Monsod said he “withdrew” his proposal to exclude the political dynasty ban.

Suspension lifted

The Comelec has lifted its suspension on the rules governing people’s initiative for legislative amendments, Chairman George Garcia said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, he said the Comelec had previously suspended its rules covering both constitutional and legislative amendments, but later lifted the suspension on legislative matters following discussions with Congress.

Garcia said the move means there is no longer a procedural barrier for groups seeking to use a people’s initiative to push for legislation, including a proposed ban on political dynasties.

However, Garcia noted that the Comelec still has to address the use of electronic signatures, which are not currently covered by its existing rules on people’s initiative.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reminded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials that the extension of their term is not an exemption from liabilities.

The DILG said longer term means greater responsibility and accountability, and officials should not take advantage of their extended tenure.

The department said it would continue guiding and provide technical assistance to barangay and SK officials to ensure they remain responsive to their constituents’ needs. – Ghio Ong, Christine Boton, Emmanuel Tupas