Anger 'ain't enough': Marcos, Duterte dared to back anti-dynasty bill
MANILA, Philippines — In an impassioned speech, a House lawmaker appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte and members of Congress to prove their commitment against corruption by backing an anti-political dynasty bill, even if it meant weakening their own families’ hold on power.
Speaking before a chamber dominated by political clans, Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District) called on Marcos to certify the measure as urgent, saying entrenched dynasties have only fueled pork barrel schemes, patronage politics, and worsening corruption.
He lamented that despite a constitutional mandate, Congress has failed to pass an enabling law for nearly four decades since the ratification of the 1987 Charter. Citing Article 2, Section 26 directs lawmakers to pass a law defining and prohibiting political dynasties to ensure fair access to public service.
"We choose to only cherry-pick the provisions of the Constitution that favor us dahil 70% ng kapulungan ito ay mga dynasties," Erice said in his privilege speech on Monday, October 6. ("... because 70% of this chamber are dynasties.")
He challenged his fellow lawmakers, asking whether they would let Congress be consumed by greed and fear of losing funds, or sit idly by and wait for the public to demand change.
'Do better PBBM, VP Sara'
Erice then addressed President Marcos directly, acknowledging his frustration over what the government has become — especially with top officials and his cousin implicated in alleged kickbacks from public works projects.
But as thousands of Filipinos have echoed in anti-corruption protests, genuine reform is needed. Anger or a mere order to create an independent body to investigate infrastructure projects will not suffice.
"Mr. President, Bongbong Marcos, I believe you are sincere in your anger and disgust. I believe in the sincerity of your tears, but this ain't enough," Erice said.
"Bold action would require a will to implement painful political reforms. Isa rito, sundin ang konstitusyon, isama sa legislative agenda ang anti-political dynasty bill kahit laban ito sa interes ng iyong pamilya. Mr. President, put your best foot forward," he added.
The lawmaker said Marcos’ greatest legacy would be to set aside personal interests in pursuit of lasting reform.
Turning to Vice President Duterte, Erice asked: What is your family really fighting for — political power or the country’s good?
"To Vice President Sara Duterte, lumalaban ba kayo para sa political supremacy ng inyong pamilya o para sa ikabubuti ng bayan?" he asked.
He added that if the Constitution defended Duterte from political persecution, with her impeachment trial "archived," then the Dutertes should also uphold it by ending their own dynasty’s grip on power.
"Pinahalagahan kayo ng konstitusyon, suklian niyo naman! Itaguyod niyo ang Article 2, Section 26 na nanganghulugan ng pagpapaliit ng kapangyarihan ng inyong dynasty, Vice President Sara," Erice said. ("The Constitution honored [your election], so pay it back.Uphold Article 2, Section 26 that entails diminishing your dynasty.")
The Duterte family currently has at least six members in public office, including three in Congress and others in Davao City.
'Sacrifice' power
He then turned to his colleagues in Congress, saying that if they truly love the country, it is time to “sacrifice” personal interests and cut the excesses of their political clans. Politics, partisanship and blame-shifting, he said, should no longer be excuses to avoid taking action. There's no other time but to act now, he stressed.
"Magpatupad tayo ng matinding reporma kahit ang kapalit ay sariling pagsasakripisyo. Hindi na pwedeng idahilan na politika lang ito na gawa lang ito ng dds, kaliwa, ng dilawan o pinklawan," Erice said.
"Ayan ng Pilipino ng taba. Bawasan ang kasapwangan, bawasan ang kapangyarihan! Lugmok na ang bayan," he added.
Bill's status. Just two months into the 20th Congress, seven bills — largely from minority lawmakers such as Erice — have been introduced to define and ban political dynasties. But the proposals differ. Some cover relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity, others only up to the second.
Erice’s bill takes a different approach, limiting the number of family members who can simultaneously hold public office to two.
According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), about four in every five district representatives in the 20th Congress come from political dynasties, with 15 families controlling multiple districts. The Senate reflects a similar pattern, with four sibling pairs occupying a third of the 24-member chamber.
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