Coalition ANIM forms to tackle electoral fraud, corruption, dynasties

Official launch of coalition Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM) composed of six sectoral groups on Friday, August 23, 2024. (Photo by Dianne Sampang/INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — The importance of eradicating electoral fraud, corruption, and political dynasties in the country to establish good governance is what drove the formation of coalition Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM).

This is what the chairman of ANIM, retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, highlighted at the official launch of the non-partisan coalition on Friday.

“It started two months ago when members of the civil society organizations, some religious groups, professionals, and retired military senior officers discussed the biggest problems our nation is facing today and we all agreed on three main things: political dynasty… number two, ‘yong katiwalian (the corruption)… pangatlo (third), electoral fraud,” Adan noted in his speech.

ANIM is composed of six sectoral groups: the clergy and faith-based communities, military and uniformed personnel, business professionals, youth, women, and civil society organizations.

Adan said that they are ready to demand good governance, adding that “success for us, sa ating lahat (for us all), is a passage of meaningful legislation that curbs political dynasty and enhances transparency of the electoral process.”

READ: Protesters at Comelec allege fraud was committed during 2022 elections

He also noted the importance of timing in pushing for genuine reforms for the country,

“Timing is critical. Ngayon na (The time is now). Because we can no longer afford to wait. The challenges we face are urgent and the country needs a unified force to boost for genuine reform,” he said.

Adan served as the executive director of the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Agreement from 2007 to 2014.

Furthermore, Bishop Colin Bagaforo, the president of the Caritas Philippines or the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), expressed support for the coalition’s calls.

“CBCP Philippines stands in solidarity with ANIM… and the call for an end to the pervasive corruption and political dynasties that have long break our beloved country,” he said.

Bishop Bagaforo emphasized the impacts of corruption on the people, stating that “corruption is a violation of the commandment. Thou shall not steal. When public officials make use of their power for personal gain, they are robbing the people, not just of resources but of opportunities, dignity, and their future.”

The bishop also underscored the importance of passing an anti-dynasty law in eradicating political dynasties in the country.

“We believe that enacting an anti-dynasty law is crucial. We estimate that in the instance that the law is passed, this will stop up to 50% of the corruption we face today,” he said.

Article II under Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “[t]he State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

READ: SC urged: Prod Congress to pass antidynasty law

However, no anti-political dynasty bill has been enacted into law in the country.

In July, Senator Robin Padilla filed Senate Bill No. 2730 which seeks to enact the mandate in the Constitution that prohibits political dynasties in the country.

Meanwhile, some lawmakers from the House of Representatives opposed in March a proposal of a group of lawyers asking Congress to craft an anti-dynasty bill, saying that this would limit the choices of the voters in elections.