PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed Congress to prioritize the passage of an anti-dynasty law and several reform measures to strengthen transparency and accountability. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced the directive following a Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting on Tuesday.

Reform advocates have long argued that while the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, the absence of an enabling law has allowed powerful families to dominate public office.

Marcos also urged legislators to fast-track the Party-list System Reform Act, Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability, and the Independent People’s Commission Act.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said they aim to rush deliberations on the independent commission bill.

“Fastbreakin namin. Basta hopefully matapos namin, maisingit namin before Christmas break. And then perhaps baka pasa yon by January,” he said.

House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima called on both chambers to heed the President’s directive. She expects intense debates, noting many lawmakers come from political clans.

“Dapat daw i-prioritize, sabi ng Pangulo… Magkakaroon pa dyan talaga ng mainit na mga debate,” she said.

Sotto said defining the term “political dynasty” will be lawmakers’ first major task to move the bill forward.

Makabayan bloc lawmakers, meanwhile, warned that failure to pass the measure could fuel the perception that the President is weakening politically.