MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday cautioned against conflating the response to flooding and local governance with the legislative push for anti-political dynasty.
The statement comes after social media criticisms about the extreme flooding in areas run by families with longtime political influence—like the Pineda family in Pampanga. Despite the families’ long political history, their areas were still badly flooded, raising questions about their competence.
In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the call for the passage of the anti-political dynasty bill and the connection between flood control management is “far-off.”
"I think that's a bit far-off. If we are going to connect this to the leadership now in Pampanga or Bulacan, it is not necessary right now,” Castro said in Filipino.
She noted, however, that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration remains committed to passing the anti-political dynasty law.
"We all know that the President wants, under his leadership, to have a law regarding the anti-political dynasty bill. That is a priority of the President, and Congress also knows that this is one of the things the President is focused on,” she said.
