‘Go beyond lifestyle checks, ban dynasties’

MANILA, Philippines — Organized labor yesterday called on President Marcos to go beyond lifestyle checks on all government officials, and push for the passage of an anti-dynasty bill to curb graft and corruption.

While welcoming lifestyle checks, Sonny Matula, president of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), stressed that it can only serve as a band-aid solution if political dynasties remain entrenched.

“Lifestyle checks are helpful, but not enough. Political dynasties breed corruption because public office is treated like a family business,” Matula said.

“If we want to stop corruption at its roots, we must finally end dynasties through a genuine enabling law,” he pointed out, adding that political dynasties are one of the main roots of corruption in Philippine society that needs to be eradicated at once.

Matula noted that political clans continue to dominate Congress and local governments while poverty, inequality and corruption persist.

Various labor groups have called for the creation of an independent commission to investigate corruption, particularly in public works and in flood control projects.

Matula noted that FFW is finalizing – along with NAGKAISA labor coalition affiliates – an intervention in the Supreme Court to the petition of 1Sambayan, led by retired Justice Antonio Carpio, to compel Congress to pass the anti-political dynasty law.