Inilunsad nitong Biyernes, May 8, ng iba’t ibang grupo ang Dapat Isa Lang (D1L) Movement, isang people’s initiative campaign para maipasa ang tunay na pagbabawal sa political dynasty.
Layunin ng petition na limitahan ang bawat political family sa isang incumbent sa national elected position at isang incumbent sa local elected position. Sakop nito ang pamilya hanggang fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity, at ipinagbabawal ang succession, replacement, o switching of positions. Mayroon ding cooling-off period na isang termino matapos maabot ang term limits.
Ayon kay D1L spokesperson at petitioner Atty. Carlo Africa, mas epektibo ang kanilang proposal kesa sa ilang anti-dynasty bills sa Senate at House dahil mas malawak ang sakop nito.
“Unfortunately, the way we’ve analyzed the bills in the level of the Senate and in the level of the House, we do not believe that it will solve the problem,” ani Africa.
“Sa Senate version, only 32% ang political dynasties na matatanggal. But right now that also shows the majority of political dynasties will remain,” dagdag niya.
Inilunsad ang D1L habang tinatalakay ng 20th Congress ang anti-political dynasty prohibition na nakasaad sa 1987 Constitution.
Ayon kay D1L petitioner at former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, matagal nang hindi naipapasa ang kinakailangang batas laban sa political dynasties.
“Congress has not defined it for almost forty years, so we are going to enact that law through the People’s Initiative,” ani Carpio.
Inilabas din ng D1L ang isang manifesto na nilagdaan ng mga grupo at indibidwal mula sa civil society, business, education, at faith-based sectors. Layunin nitong putulin ang cycle ng political dynasties na iniuugnay ng grupo sa corruption at poverty.
“This [anti-political dynasty] law will change the composition and quality of the members of Congress and the leaders in LGUs. Better laws can be passed in Congress. Better national and local budgets and infrastructure projects will be implemented,” saad ng manifesto.
Para kay Africa, sentro ng inisyatiba ang laban kontra corruption.
“Again the problem is corruption. The reason why we’re doing this is because the current system allows corruption. So we believe that in order for us to really defeat corruption, we need to take out the entire system of political dynasties,” sabi niya.
Tinalakay din ng grupo ang signature collection. Ayon kay D1L petitioner at former Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia, nakipag-usap na sila sa Comelec tungkol sa proseso.
“Maingat ang aming paggamit ng signatures, pero may pinagaaralan pa kami na safe protocol in signature collecting. Last week, pumunta kami sa Comelec para kausapin sila at sinabi namin ang aming hangarin at ang Comelec naman ay nagcommit to make sure to help us in the integrity of the process. Isa pa din dito ay nakausap namin sila tungkol sa possibility sa adjusted na proseso na nakatakda ngayon dahil sa challenges ng proseso.”
Sinabi rin ni Guia na may volunteer lawyers ang D1L kung may haharaping legal challenges.
Ayon naman kay D1L petitioner Atty. Eirene Aguila mula sa People’s Initiative Coalition Against Dynasties, handa ang grupo sa bigat ng proseso.
“Hindi po kami natitinag sa kahirapan ng prosesong ito. Handa na ang mga Pilipinong ipaglaban ang tunay na demokrasya. Close to 70% ang galit [sa political dynasties], hindi pwedeng 70-80 families ang humawak sa ating pamahalaan,” ani Aguila.
Kabilang sa primary petitioners sina Kontra Dinastiya founder Atty. Alex Lacson, Clergy for Good Governance Convenor Fr. Robert Reyes, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines Advocacy and Public Engagement Officer Ina Claustro, at Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Executive Director Karlo Abadines.
Giit ng D1L manifesto, may constitutional right ang Filipino citizens na direktang magpasa ng batas sa pamamagitan ng people’s initiative.
“This future will not be given. It must be built,” saad ng manifesto. /Bistado