Senatorial candidate Leody de Guzman is calling for a people’s initiative to ban political dynasties, saying that Congress and the Senate—often dominated by political families—will never pass such a law on their own.
A Call for Direct Action
Speaking at the TinigLaya Senatorial Press Conference in San Beda College Alabang, De Guzman argued that a grassroots movement is the only way to break the cycle of political dynasties.
“If we rely on Congress and the Senate to pass an anti-dynasty law, it will never happen,” he said in Filipino. “That’s why we need to push for a people’s initiative. If we can gather signatures from 3% of the voting population, we can enact a law without passing through Congress or the Senate.”
Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a people’s initiative requires the support of at least 12% of registered voters nationwide, with 3% representation in every legislative district to propose an amendment or revision.
Other Key Issues: Minimum Wage, Labor Rights, and Impeachment
Aside from political dynasties, De Guzman also:
✔ Pushed for a national minimum wage, replacing the current regional wage board system
✔ Opposed labor contractualization, calling for stronger protections for workers
✔ Called for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, accusing her of misusing public funds
However, he expressed doubt that the Senate would act, saying it lacks the political will to hold Duterte accountable.
“She should be impeached to set an example that those who misuse public funds must be held responsible,” he said. “But the Senate has lost its backbone. They’re just waiting for this issue to die down until a new Senate takes over.”
“Anti-Dynasty, Anti-Trapo” Stance
De Guzman, a longtime labor leader, declared that he is not just “anti-Sara” but also “anti-Marcos”, vowing to fight against political dynasties and corruption.
“I am anti-dynasty, anti-traditional politicians, and anti-lies. They are responsible for the suffering of workers, the poor, and ordinary Filipinos. They legalized hardship for the people and wealth for the elite,” he said.
De Guzman also advocated for the Philippines’ return to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to hold officials accountable for human rights violations.
With the 2025 elections approaching, his bold stance on political reform may resonate with voters seeking change—but will the people’s initiative gain enough support to challenge the system?