House Committee opens deliberations on Anti-Political Dynasty Bills

MANILA — Nearly 40 years after the 1987 Constitution called for it, the House of Representatives has taken a major step to revive efforts to regulate and ban political dynasties.

The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, held its inaugural hearing on Tuesday, attended by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, principal author of one of the 20 pending anti-political dynasty bills.

“Ang panukalang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill ay matagal nang hinihintay ng sambayanang Pilipino. It has been close to 40 years since our Constitution was ratified with a provision intended to ‘guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties.’ Ngunit kulang po ito ng isang enabling law—at ito po ang nais nating ipasa sa 20th Congress,” Dy said.

Dy highlighted that the House is ready to fully consider the legal, political, and social implications of the measure. “Ang anti-political dynasty bill ay usaping matagal nang tinatalakay, ngunit ngayon ay malinaw ang aming hangarin na seryosong talakayin ito ng Kapulungan nang buo, tapat, at may malasakit sa bayan at sa kinabukasan ng bansa,” he added.

The bill is part of broader reforms to strengthen democracy, expand access to public office, and restore public trust in institutions. “Tandaan po natin: simula pa lamang ito ng mas malawak na mga repormang layuning palakasin ang ating demokrasya, palawakin ang patas na pagkakataon sa paglilingkod-bayan, at ibalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa ating mga institusyon,” Dy said.

The proposal also has executive support, with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. listing it as a priority measure during the recent LEDAC meeting. Dy filed House Bill No. 6771 jointly with Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos.

He explained that the committee hearings aim to gather diverse perspectives and carefully assess the bill’s potential impact. “Kaya po tayo nagsasagawa ng mga pagdinig na tulad nito upang marinig ang lahat ng panig, ang iba’t ibang pananaw, at ang buong saklaw ng magiging implikasyon ng panukalang batas,” he said.

Dy urged lawmakers to keep an open mind throughout deliberations. “Huwag po nating isara ang ating isipan. Huwag tayong magpakulong sa mga nakapirming paninindigan. Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay maglinaw, magtimbang, at magpalalim ng pag-unawa upang magabayan nang wasto ang mga mambabatas sa kanilang magiging pasya. Inaasahan natin ang isang tapat at makabuluhang talakayan na tunay na magsisilbi sa kapakanan ng ating bayan,” he concluded.