Malacañang has dismissed speculation that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. might refuse to sign the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill because members of his family have long been active in politics.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the clarification after being asked whether there is assurance that the President would approve the measure should it be passed by Congress.
According to Castro, it was President Marcos himself who pushed for the inclusion of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill among the administration’s priority legislative measures.
She said the President personally highlighted the proposal during meetings of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and encouraged lawmakers to advance the measure.
Castro added that the administration remains committed to the proposed legislation and that the President wants the bill enacted before the end of his term.
The Palace maintained that the President’s support for the measure is clear despite questions raised about political families, including his own, that have maintained a presence in government for decades.
The Anti-Political Dynasty Bill seeks to regulate the holding of government positions by relatives within specified degrees of relationship.
At present, the House of Representatives has already approved its version of the proposed measure.
The House-approved version would prohibit relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously occupying certain government positions.
Meanwhile, the Senate has yet to finalize and approve its own version of the bill.
The proposed legislation remains one of the measures being monitored by both the Executive and Legislative branches as discussions continue on its final form.
