MANILA — The consolidated Anti-Political Dynasty bill has taken a step forward after gaining approval from the House of Representatives Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, prompting House Speaker Faustino Dy III to call the development a crucial milestone in enforcing the Constitution.
The proposed legislation aims to prevent families from dominating elective positions in government, both nationally and locally.
Dy noted that the Constitution has long required Congress to enact a law banning political dynasties.
“For almost 40 years, this provision has remained unfulfilled. Today’s action moves us closer to finally implementing it,” he said.
The committee, headed by Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur’s 1st District, selected House Bill No. 6671 as the working draft for the consolidated measure. The bill was authored by Dy along with House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.
The measure would prohibit relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from occupying specific elective offices simultaneously. This includes scenarios such as spouses holding mayor and vice mayor posts or close relatives serving in multiple positions within the same province.
According to Dy, the second-degree coverage was determined after consultations with various sectors, aiming to ensure both effectiveness and practicality in implementing the reform.
The proposal is anchored on Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, which mandates the State to prohibit political dynasties through legislation.
Dy stressed that the House is committed to faithfully implementing this constitutional directive.
He said the reform seeks to promote equal opportunities in public service by preventing the concentration of power within political families and encouraging leadership based on merit and voter choice.
Under the bill, spouses and second-degree relatives—whether legitimate or illegitimate, full-blood or half-blood—would be barred from simultaneously holding elective posts at the national level or within the same province, city, municipality, or barangay.
Once enacted, the prohibition would take effect starting in the next elections and remain in force in future electoral cycles.
The measure also requires candidates to submit a sworn declaration to the Commission on Elections stating that their candidacy does not create a prohibited political dynasty.
Candidates must report any possible conflict within five days. If related candidates both win and cannot agree within 48 hours on who will assume office, the Comelec will decide through a drawing of lots.
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