Movement vs dynasties to launch signature campaign

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – The Movement Against Dynasties (MAD) announced yesterday that the group would start on Feb. 13 a signature campaign against political dynasties in 10 cities nationwide.

MAD volunteer Lito Ong said the campaign would be launched in cities of Manila, Baguio, Antipolo, Tuguegarao, Lucena, Naga, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Gen. Santos, and Davao.

MAD, a multi-sectoral and non-partisan organization that includes students and professionals, supports the Catholic bishops who have expressed opposition to political dynasties.

MAD’s sole objective is to stop the proliferation of political dynasties that is forbidden by the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

MAD chairman Quentin San Diego said the anti-dynasty pastoral statement of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is similar to MAD’s vision and mission.

San Diego and MAD co-chairman Danilo Olivares have proposed to the CBCP to unite their efforts against political dynasties.

MAD aims to gather signatures of at least 10 percent of the registered voters nationwide that is required by Republic Act 6735 or the Initiative and Referendum Act.

The group said the Catholic Church’s influence through its parishes in the country could help in the campaign to pass the law against political dynasties that Congress has refused to enact since 1987.

“Through the partnership of the Catholic Church and people power groups like MAD, attaining the required number of signatures from the various parishes will force the Commission on Elections to call for a referendum for the people to directly enact the long-awaited enabling law that will prohibit political dynasties and penalize members of dynasties violating the law,” MAD said.