‘Dapat Isa Lang’ Movement Launched in Davao City to Gather 7 Million Signatures

The 'Dapat Isa Lang Movement' (D1LM), a nationwide people’s initiative to push for a genuine anti-political dynasty law, was launched in Davao City on Tuesday, aiming to gather at least 7 million signatures nationwide, including 110,000 from the city’s three districts, by October 15. The launch was held at the Arrupe Hall of the Ateneo de Davao University, with students lining up as first signatories. The nationwide D1LM was launched in May by convenors led by retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Tirol and former Elections Commissioner Luie Guia. The D1LM proposes a “genuine anti-political dynasty bill” that restricts political families to only one elected official in a national position and one in a local position. It also bans relatives up to the fourth civil degree—including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and cousins—from simultaneously holding office and imposes a one-term cooling-off period for family members wanting to immediately succeed an incumbent relative. Organizers aim to target around 7 million signatures, representing at least 10% of registered voters nationwide, by October 15. This is to push for a referendum in the first half of 2027 in the hope that “dynasties will be limited by the 2028 elections.” Miguel Karlo Abadines, Executive Director of the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), which serves as the National Secretariat of the D1LM, stated that the movement is composed of “people and organizations who are tired of corruption and poverty brought about by the system of political dynasties.” Participants also lit a “flame of democracy” as a solemn promise that power belongs to the people, not to dynasties. Political dynasties are supposed to be prohibited by the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties.” However, in four decades, the dynasty-dominated Congress has failed to pass the anti-dynasty law. Recently, House Bill 8389, passed on third reading by the House of Representatives, has been criticized as a pro-dynasty bill. Senate Bill 1901, on the other hand, proposes stricter limitations. Abadines noted that 83% of the House of Representatives, 75% of Senators, 87% of Provincial Governors, and 75% of City Mayors in the Philippines are members of political dynasties. Dynasties, according to D1L, weaken government accountability, influence appointments, and control the budget and project implementation. In Mindanao, dynasties dominate the political landscape, making accountability difficult, especially when they hold both executive and legislative offices. Results from the May 2025 elections showed that dynasties rule in 23 out of 28 provinces. The Duterte family in Davao City is cited as an example, with seven members holding public posts. D1LM organizers emphasized that the signature campaign is more than just a campaign; it is “a call to reclaim public office as a public trust and to create space for leadership based on merit, service, and accountability.” Information Source: MindaNews Philippines (GN)