Political dynasty will never happen in Baguio — Mayor Magalong

MANILA, Philippines — Political dynasties will never happen in Baguio City because the residents do not believe in them, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Friday.

When asked in an ambush interview if he would allow a solicitation in the city on crafting an anti-dynasty bill, the mayor answered that he would allow it.

“Oo naman. Iba kasi sa Baguio eh. Alam mo, ang Baguio, hindi talaga naniniwala sa political dynasty,” Magalong said.

(Yes. It is different in Baguio. You know, Baguio does not believe in a political dynasty.)

“Very strong ang kanilang sentiments against political dynasty kaya walang nagkakaroon ng political dynasty,” he added.

(They have very strong sentiments against political dynasties, that’s why it will never happen in the city.)

Magalong attended the launch of the coalition Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan which aims to call for the end of political dynasties, corruption, and electoral fraud.

The coalition is composed of six sectoral groups: the religious sector, military and uniformed personnel, youth, women, business professionals, and civil society organizations.

READ: Coalition ANIM forms to tackle electoral fraud, corruption, dynasties

Magalong, the convener of Mayors 4 Good Governance (M4GG), also shared how he can help to end political dynasties, electoral fraud, and corruption in the country.

“‘Yong advocacy namin actually is designed to really raise awareness among the youth. So far as M4GG is concerned, talagang very strong ‘yung campaign namin in good governance, particularly in the fight against corruption,” he said.

(Our advocacy is actually designed to raise awareness among the youth. So far as M4GG is concerned, we have a very strong campaign for good governance, particularly in the fight against corruption.)

He also committed to not get involved in any political dynasties.

“One thing that I can assure you for Magalong sa city ng Baguio (in the city of Baguio), I will never get myself in political dynasty. ‘Yan ang commitment ko (That is my commitment.),” he noted.

The talk about spearheading solicitations of people’s initiatives to pass an anti-dynasty bill came after Atty. Alexander Lacson shared approaches on how the coalition would implement it, citing efforts such as people’s initiative.

READ: Senate, House clash over people’s initiative for Charter change

“The people’s initiative is a power granted to the Filipino people in the Constitution to pass a law,” he said.

Section 32 under Article VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “[the] Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part thereof passed by the Congress or local legislative body after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters thereof.”

Lacson shared that this was a type of people’s initiative where it requires a minimum of 3 percent voting forces in the congressional district and 10 percent of voting forces nationwide.

“Ang requirement is minimum of 3 percent per Congressional district. Ilagay po natin na 250,000 po ‘yong botante on an average per Congressional district. Ano po ‘yong 3 percent nyan? That’s 7,500 votes… Minimum kasi ‘yon, what we need is 10 percent. ‘Pag nag 10 percent, that’s 25,000 signatures in the petition,” he added.

(The requirement is a minimum of 3 percent per Congressional district. Let’s say that there is an average of 250,000 voters per Congressional district. What is the 3 percent of it? That’s 7,500 votes… That is the minimum, what we need is 10 percent. If it’s 10 percent, that’s 25,000 signatures in the petition.)

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