A “small majority” of adult Filipinos want the immediate passage of a law banning political dynasties in the Philippines, according to the latest survey of Pulse Asia Research, Incorporated. The survey, conducted from December 12 to 15, showed that 54% of respondents agree with the Congress immediately passing a law banning political dynasties, with the highest agreement found in Metro Manila at 69%, followed by the rest of Luzon and the Visayas at 59%, and Class D at 57%. However, public opinion is split in Mindanao, with 34% in agreement, 38% undecided, and 27% in disagreement. The survey also found that 52% of Filipinos want a law creating a stronger Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which currently has no prosecutorial power and has faced setbacks, including the resignation of two out of three commissioners. The push for an anti-dynasty law and a stronger ICI comes amid a growing movement against political dynasties, with at least 71 of the country’s 82 provincial governments led by members of political dynasties, and 8 out of 10 district representatives being part of political dynasties. The 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, but there is no enabling law to define it, and Congress, which must pass the bill, is dominated by dynasts, while the President who must sign it into law is also a dynast himself.
