Eleven business and civil society groups in the Philippines have thrown their weight behind a campaign against political dynasties, arguing that family-dominated politics erodes public accountability.

The coalition includes the Management Association of the Philippines, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, and the Shareholders' Association of the Philippines. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the groups faulted Congress for failing to carry out its constitutional mandate prohibiting political dynasties. That mandate rests on Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, which directs the State to prohibit political dynasties "as may be defined by law" — wording that leaves the drafting of the implementing statute to Congress itself.

"For nearly four decades, Congress has failed to fulfill the constitutional mandate against political dynasties. Enough waiting. It is time for citizens and communities across the country to act together," the statement said.

The groups pointed to an Aug. 26 ruling by the Supreme Court, which affirmed Congress's mandatory duty to enact an anti-political dynasty law.

"It found that 39 years of inaction amounted to grave abuse of discretion and directed lawmakers to move with utmost urgency," they said. "The message was clear: this constitutional command cannot be set aside forever."

Political families have long dominated the Philippine political system, which critics argue is a major cause of weak accountability among public officials.

"When connections seem to matter more than merit, public confidence and investor trust suffer too," the groups added.

Rather than waiting for legislators to act, the organizations called for a people's initiative to dismantle political dynasties. "We, the undersigned organizations, urge all Filipinos to join the Dapat Isa Lang People's Initiative," they said, referring to the digital co-petition platform supporting the People's Initiative to pass the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law.

Under Republic Act No. 6735, the 1989 law providing for a system of initiative and referendum, a people's initiative seeking to enact national legislation must obtain signatures from at least 10% of registered voters nationwide and at least 3% of registered voters in every legislative district. No national legislation has so far been enacted through this route. Whether Congress moves on the Supreme Court's directive and whether the signature drive reaches those thresholds are the developments to watch next.

"That is why the campaign must reach every corner of the country," the groups said. "Public office is a public trust — not family property," they added.

Other signatories include the Justice Reform Initiative, Energy Lawyers Association of the Philippines, FEU Public Policy Center Foundation, Inc., Institute of Corporate Directors, Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, Inc., Move As One Coalition, Movement for Restoration of Peace & Order, and the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

— Beatriz Marie D. Cruz