Palace: Anti-dynasty bill still Marcos Jr. priority
MANILA, Philippines — The anti-political dynasty bill remains one of the Marcos administration’s priority measures even though President Marcos did not mention it in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), Malacañang said yesterday.
“That remains the President’s wish – to have this anti-political dynasty bill passed during his term and under his administration,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said at a media briefing.
“So, let’s just wait for the bicameral (conference) and how long it will take. It is my understanding that the Senate still has some work to finish regarding this matter,” she noted.
Several business groups and civil society organizations earlier called for a genuine law against political dynasties, with tougher safeguards to fight corruption.
They said House Bill 6771, filed by Speaker Faustino Dy III and Marcos’ son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, falls short of what can be considered a genuine law to stamp out political dynasties.
Meanwhile, Castro said the government is also likely to certify as urgent bills seeking to amend the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA as well as extend the coverage of the annual income tax exemption.
In his fifth and penultimate SONA on Monday, Marcos urged Congress to amend the EPIRA to remove the charging of system loss to consumers, including the corresponding value-added tax.
“It is only fair that Filipino families pay only for the electricity they use – not for inefficiencies beyond their control,” Marcos said.
The President also called on lawmakers to pass a package of tax relief measures aimed at easing the financial burden on workers, particularly the middle class, and supporting small businesses amid the lingering effects of recent economic crises.
Under the proposed tax package, the government will expand the income tax exemption by increasing the threshold for tax-free annual income from the current P250,000 to P350,000, allowing more Filipino workers to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Education reforms
Meanwhile, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian pledged the Senate’s continued support for education and economic reforms outlined by President Marcos in his SONA, saying the administration’s commitments must translate into lasting improvements for Filipino families.
Gatchalian said the Senate would ensure the effective implementation of programs funded under the record P1.35-trillion education budget for 2026 to address long-standing challenges in the sector.
Marcos highlighted the expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program and the hiring of 10,000 School Counselor Associates I to strengthen the government’s School-Based Mental Health Program.
The 2026 national budget earmarks P25.7 billion for the expanded feeding program, which will now cover all kindergarten and Grade 1 pupils while continuing assistance for stunted and wasted learners from Grades 2 to 6.
The program also extends feeding days to 200 from 120 and is expected to benefit nearly 4.5 million students.
Meanwhile, another P2 billion has been allocated for the recruitment of 10,000 School Counselor Associates to provide timely psychosocial support to students.
Gatchalian also welcomed the President’s focus on lowering the cost of living and strengthening the country’s competitiveness but stressed that the administration’s economic agenda should result in concrete reforms.
He backed the President’s call to amend the EPIRA by removing system loss charges from electricity bills, a proposal he said would provide immediate relief to households and businesses.
Gatchalian also expressed support for the proposed Sariling Kuryente Act, which seeks to expand the use of rooftop solar systems and battery storage to improve the country’s energy security.
Twin farm bills passed
The Senate has approved on third and final reading two measures authored by Sen. Francis Pangilinan aimed at strengthening support for farmers and fisherfolk, a move the lawmaker said would boost food security and help reduce rural poverty.
Approved on Tuesday were Senate Bill 1991, or the Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act, and SB 1990, the Agricultural Cooperatives Act.
“This is a big step toward food security and providing better support for our farmers and fisherfolk, helping them rise above poverty,” Pangilinan said.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Extension Act seeks to establish a more responsive and coordinated national extension system that would provide farmers and fisherfolk with technical assistance, research-based technologies, climate-smart farming practices and continuous training.
The Agricultural Cooperatives Act, meanwhile, seeks to reestablish the Bureau of Agriculture Cooperatives to strengthen agricultural cooperatives and improve farmers’ and fisherfolk’s access to financing, equipment and markets. – Mark Ernest Villeza
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