CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan met with students, sectoral groups, local officials, and other stakeholders on Thursday, February 19, to gather support for the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law, aimed at curbing corruption and broadening public service opportunities.

During the public consultation, Pangilinan highlighted the urgency of passing the measure in light of the multi-billion-peso flood control scandal, which he called “the largest corruption scandal in the history of the Republic.”

“This, too, is a wake-up call for the bureaucracy as well as the governed—that’s you—the governed and those in government, na hindi na dapat pwede yung dating gawi, na hindi na maaari ang business as usual,” he told the audience.

Pangilinan urged Filipinos to exert “pressure” on public officials to approve the bill, which seeks to end the dominance of political dynastic families and provide more equitable access to elected positions.

“Kaya yung governed, you have to speak up, support the anti-dynasty provisions and the bill. Ipakita ninyo sa social media para those in government at kami sa Congress ay talagang magkakaroon ng public pressure to finally enact this measure and it becomes law,” he added.

The senator said that the passage of the law could open about 5,000 elected positions, allowing representatives from various sectors, including persons with disabilities, to hold office.

“And therefore, we go by the resources of the LGU, and perhaps even Congress. You will now have representatives who will push for it and ensure that the structures of violence are addressed by budgetary appropriations and reforms,” he said.

Out of seven anti-political dynasty bills pending in the Senate, Pangilinan’s Senate Bill No. 285 specifically calls for ending dynastic families that control multiple and successive elected positions, consolidating government resources and political power among a few.

He acknowledged that defining political dynasties and considering familial backgrounds remain complex issues, and emphasized the need to balance voter choice with measures that regulate or ban dynastic practices.

The Senate plans to open plenary debates on the measure soon, aiming to reconcile the differing versions of the bill and move toward a consolidated proposal.