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Advocates Philippines
House Approves Anti-Dynasty Bill On Second Reading
Photo credit: Congress PH
The House of Representatives has taken a major step toward banning political dynasties in the Philippines after lawmakers approved the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act on second reading Wednesday.
The measure, filed as House Bill No. 8389, seeks to stop close relatives from simultaneously running for or holding public office in the same area. Under the proposal, spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity would be barred from seeking positions within the same province, city, municipality, barangay, or legislative district.
The bill was approved through viva voce voting during the plenary session.
Speaker of the House Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos are among the principal authors of the measure, alongside more than 170 co-authors in the House.
The proposal is considered one of the most significant attempts in decades to implement the 1987 Constitution’s provision directing the State to prohibit political dynasties.
The measure also carries the backing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and has been identified as a priority bill under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
Earlier this month, Dy urged fellow lawmakers to pass the bill, saying it could help restore public confidence in government.
“Kung tunay nating nais palakasin ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa ating institusyon, ipasa na natin ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill,” Dy told lawmakers.
The bill was consolidated from 17 separate proposals by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur.
Adiong said lawmakers carefully crafted the measure after consultations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, where concerns were raised about enforcement and constitutional issues.
According to the committee, limiting the coverage to relatives within the second degree was meant to make the law more practical and enforceable for the Commission on Elections.
The bill defines political dynasty as the “concentration, consolidation or dominance” of political power by close relatives.
It also requires candidates to submit sworn declarations to the Comelec stating that their candidacies will not create a prohibited political dynasty.
If relatives file conflicting candidacies, the proposed law provides mechanisms to settle the issue, including voluntary withdrawal or even drawing lots if no agreement is reached.
The Comelec would also be tasked to issue implementing rules within 90 days once the measure becomes law.
If enacted, the proposal would become the country’s first comprehensive anti-political dynasty law since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.
The measure, filed as House Bill No. 8389, seeks to stop close relatives from simultaneously running for or holding public office in the same area. Under the proposal, spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity would be barred from seeking positions within the same province, city, municipality, barangay, or legislative district.
The bill was approved through viva voce voting during the plenary session.
Speaker of the House Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos are among the principal authors of the measure, alongside more than 170 co-authors in the House.
The proposal is considered one of the most significant attempts in decades to implement the 1987 Constitution’s provision directing the State to prohibit political dynasties.
The measure also carries the backing of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and has been identified as a priority bill under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
Earlier this month, Dy urged fellow lawmakers to pass the bill, saying it could help restore public confidence in government.
“Kung tunay nating nais palakasin ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa ating institusyon, ipasa na natin ang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill,” Dy told lawmakers.
The bill was consolidated from 17 separate proposals by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur.
Adiong said lawmakers carefully crafted the measure after consultations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, where concerns were raised about enforcement and constitutional issues.
According to the committee, limiting the coverage to relatives within the second degree was meant to make the law more practical and enforceable for the Commission on Elections.
The bill defines political dynasty as the “concentration, consolidation or dominance” of political power by close relatives.
It also requires candidates to submit sworn declarations to the Comelec stating that their candidacies will not create a prohibited political dynasty.
If relatives file conflicting candidacies, the proposed law provides mechanisms to settle the issue, including voluntary withdrawal or even drawing lots if no agreement is reached.
The Comelec would also be tasked to issue implementing rules within 90 days once the measure becomes law.
If enacted, the proposal would become the country’s first comprehensive anti-political dynasty law since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.
May 20, 2026
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