After more than three decades of stalled attempts, the House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 3, approved on third and final reading the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act.
A total of 271 lawmakers voted in favor of House Bill No. 8389, while 16 opposed it and seven abstained.
The measure seeks to prohibit spouses and relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously running for or holding elective positions within the same political jurisdiction.
It covers national and local posts, including the President, Vice President, members of Congress, and officials in provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.
Under the bill, individuals with prohibited family ties would be barred from holding or seeking elective office within the same locality where a relative already occupies or is running for a post.
“It is the declared policy of the State to uphold and guarantee equal access to opportunities for public office and render service to the people. Toward this end, the State shall adopt measures to prevent the establishment and perpetuation of political dynasties or familial concentrations of political power and shall promote equal opportunities for all citizens to participate in governance and serve the public based on merit, competence, and integrity,” a portion of the bill reads.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, principal author of the measure, said the approval reflects a long-awaited step toward fulfilling the Constitution’s intent.
After years of debate, Adiong said the House has taken a “decisive step toward fulfilling the clear mandate of the Constitution by approving the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill on third and final reading.”
He said the proposal is not meant to restrict democratic choice, but to expand access to public office and reduce entrenched political control.
“It is about strengthening and purifying it by opening wider opportunities for genuine public service and breaking the cycle of entrenched power,” Adiong said.
CRITICS SAY MEASURE IS ‘WATERED DOWN’
Opposition lawmakers, however, said the measure falls short of a true anti-dynasty reform.
Akbayan Rep. Jose Manuel Diokno said Congress missed a historic opportunity to pass a stronger version of the bill.
“38 years of waiting, only to be given a piece of legislation that is more concerned with perpetuating political dynasties than ending them,” Diokno said.
He added that he voted against the measure due to alleged loopholes that still allow political families to dominate multiple levels of government.
Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co also rejected the bill, calling it insufficient and ineffective in addressing deeper governance issues, including what she described as “bureaucratic capitalism.”
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago likewise described the measure as watered down, saying it still allows families to hold multiple positions across different levels of government.
“This means that one family can hold five different elected positions at the same time,” Elago said.
Despite criticism, some lawmakers defended the passage as a necessary first step.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco said approving the bill, even in its current form, is better than maintaining the status quo.
“Rejecting the bill entirely would result in no reduction whatsoever in political dynasties,” Tiangco said.
House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chair Adiong said the measure attempts to balance reform with the people’s right to choose leaders.
He also urged the Senate to act on the measure, calling it a priority under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
The bill was authored by House leaders including Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, along with several co-authors.
They warned that the framework still allows room for political clans to retain influence across different levels of government.
The proposal reiterates state policy to ensure equal access to public office and promote merit-based public service, while mandating safeguards against the formation and perpetuation of political dynasties.
It also requires candidates to submit sworn declarations to the Commission on Elections certifying compliance with the anti-dynasty provisions and imposes penalties for falsification and attempts to circumvent the law.
Photo courtesy of PH Congress
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