In solidarity with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan, and Diocese of Baguio, Saint Louis University (SLU) hosted the Educational Forum “DAPAT ISA LANG” on 10 July 2026 at the Prince Bernhard Gym (PB Gym) SLU Main Campus.
Dapat Isa Lang is a movement to pass a genuine anti-political dynasty law in the Philippines through a People’s Initiative. Themed “Passing a Genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law,” a signature collection campaign was held right after the forum.
In welcoming the participants that filled the PB Gym, SLU Executive Assistant to the President, Joselito C. Gutierrez, Ph.D., stated that the forum was held for Filipinos to understand the effect of political dynasties in the Philippines. He emphasized that the accountability of governance should be free and true to the heart of service for the good of the nation. He then introduced the representatives of the Dapat Isa Lang Educational Forum: Atty. Carlo Gino Africa, Dapat Isa Lang official spokesperson, Executive Director at Hiraya, and Policy Consultant at the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE); and Angel Rose J. Sarmiento, student leader from the Ateneo Student Catholic Action and Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Apostolate.
In his keynote message, Atty. Africa reported data about the Philippines’ state on political dynasties over the past four decades. “We are trying to build a movement for the Filipino people..The reason why we cannot hold people accountable is because the same people are in power,” he said.
He centered his discussion on the Lack of Accountability Cycle brought about by political dynasties. Among these key effects are corruption candles, public outrage, performative accountability, and lack of accountability that springs from having the same people in power.
In line with this, he presented the key provisions of the movement’s genuine anti-political dynasty law:
- Limit one national-level official and one local official per political family;
- Ban relatives through the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity from holding covered positions;
- Prohibit relatives from succeeding, replacing or switching positions among relatives;
- Require a one-term cooling-off period after officials reach their term limit.
The Dapat Isa Lang info-campaign video further explains the aforementioned provisions:
As the host institution, SLU affirms its commitment to democratic values and critical engagement. It believes that the existing bills, particularly House Bill No. 8389, while perhaps well-intentioned, do not adequately address the issue of political dynasties. By focusing solely on the simultaneous holding of elective offices, the bill leaves significant loopholes that allow political succession and the rotation of elective positions among members of the same family.
The Forum manifests the participants’ support to legislative measures that promote genuine political inclusivity, ensure equal opportunities for public service, and advance meaningful reforms that effectively uphold the constitutional principle against political dynasties.
In passing the anti-political dynasty law through the People’s Initiative, which is a direct democracy process enshrined in the Constitution allowing people to pass a law without the need to go through congress nor the president, the Movement’s goal is to gather signatures from 10% of Nationally Registered Voters and from 3% registered voters of all 253 legislative districts by October of 2026. These signatures will then be verified by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) followed by the referendum vote where a petitioned bill becomes a law if it gets the most number of votes in the first half of the year 2027 before the 2028 Philippine Elections.
The Dapat Isa Lang information and signature campaign series has been held in various Catholic educational institutions, parishes, and apostolates including Bacolod, Baguio, Cavite, Davao, Legazpi, Manila, Surigao, and Zamboanga.
In line with the CICM Advocacy of Justice and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), the Dapat Isa Lang Educational Forum highlighted the growing call for the enactment of a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law, which is an essential step toward strengthening democracy, promoting accountability, and ensuring equal opportunities for public service in the Philippines.
The afternoon session was cancelled due to the City of Baguio’s suspension of face-to-face classes following Typhoon Inday.
