Coalition Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan (ANIM) filed a petition on Friday, Oct. 18 before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking to disqualify political aspirants former President Rodrigo Duterte, Mathew Marcos Manotoc, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Senator Cynthia Villar and Catanduanes Vice Governor Peter Cua.

The petitioners, Bishop Gerardo Alminanza et al., prayed that they be granted the privilege to present their petition and arguments orally before the Commission En Banc.

They added that similar disqualification cases should be pursued against all other candidates who are similarly situated.

ANIM is a multisector coalition of organizations coming from six sectors led by retired senior military officers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), other uniformed personnel, bishops as well as other leaders of faith-based organizations.

In filing their petition, ANIM cited the "clear intent" of the framers of the 1987 Philippine Constitution on the three anti-dynasty provisions as well as on the long-established rule that all provisions of the Constitution are presumed to be self-executory, and in case of doubt, it must be resolved in favor of the Constitutional presumption.

In a chance interview, Lawyer Alex Lacson, co-convenor of the coalition, said that they have "very solid" grounds in their petition.

He questioned the practice of political clans switching positions once they have served their term.

"Sinabi po talaga doon, halos lahat silang framers of the Constitution na nag-sponsor ng provision pinagbabawal nila na ipasa pag grumaduate na yung congressman, governor, mayor, bawal na ipasa sa members of the immediate family (It was really stated by almost all the framers of the Constitution who sponsored the provision, they prohibited the passing of positions to members of the immediate family, such as congressman, governor, mayor once they finish their term)," he said.

ANIM lead convenor Bobby Yap hopes that other Filipinos who would follow through with the actions that they are taking.

"We hope that if our argument is favorably given [privilege], this will really give a big impact and it will really reshape the political situation in our country," he added.