Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar “Egay” Erice has criticized the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill filed by House Speaker Bojie Dy and House Majority Leader Rep. Sandro Marcos, calling it “unconstitutional” and “designed to fail.”
Speaking to dzRH's Special on Saturday interview, Erice said the proposed measure violates the intent of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, particularly Article II, Section 26, which mandates the State to prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
“Unconstitutional. It is a travesty of the intent of the framers of the Constitution," he said.
“Mayroon nang sampung bersyon ng anti-political dynasty bill sa Kongreso. 'Yung bersyon ng kila Speaker Bojie Dy at kay Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, nung binasa ko ay natawa ako dahil walang kwenta iyon, dahil hindi lulusot talaga," he added.
Erice questioned whether the bill’s authors consulted President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. before filing the measure, noting that the President is well aware of what constitutes a political dynasty.
He cited the 2015 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Law, which included an anti-political dynasty provision barring SK officials from running if they have immediate family members holding elective positions.
“Tingin ko hindi nadetalye na alam ni Presidente na na-ifile na ‘yan ni Majority Leade Sandro Marcos at Speaker Bojie Dy," Erice said.
Erice explained that the Constitution sets at least three parameters for an effective anti-political dynasty law, all of which, he said, the Dy-Marcos bill fails to meet.
First, the bill does not meaningfully limit the monopoly of political power, as it still allows five, six, or even seven members of the same family to run for office. Second, it does not provide equal opportunity for ordinary citizens, particularly poor but capable candidates, to access elective positions currently dominated by powerful political clans.
Third, Erice described the bill as arbitrary, particularly its provision banning relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity.
"Ang unang tanong na dapat na tinanong nila bago nila isinumite iyon, kung itong panukalang batas ay makakapag-limit ng monopoly ng kapangyarihan ng pamilya, dahil lima, anim, pitong miyembro pa rin ng pamilya ang pwedeng tumakbo sa panukala nila. Hindi ito makakatugon," Erice stated.
“Magbibigay ba ito ng equal opportunity ng mas madaling access sa mga mahihirap at mamamayan na gustong kumandidato? Magagaling, pero dominado kasi ng mga political clans kaya hindi makapasok sa panunungkulan iyon. Hindi rin ito makakatugon," he said.
“Arbitrary ba 'to? Arbitrary dahil nakita ko nakalagay dun "4th degree of consanguinity." Ang ibig sabihin dun, pati 'yung second cousin, first cousin, bawal. Alam mo 'yun sa international standards ng Anti-Political Dynasty Law, dapat within the household lang: immediate family," the lawmaker added.
Erice said he believes the bill was crafted in a way that ensures it will not withstand legal challenges.
The lawmaker revealed that he filed his own version of an anti-political dynasty bill as early as July 2025, but it has yet to be calendared by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms because lawmakers were allegedly waiting for the leadership-backed version. Erice’s proposal limits each family to two elective positions—one national and one local—covering only relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity.
Dy and Marcos filed House Bill No. 6771 following the President’s directive to Congress to prioritize the passage of an anti-political dynasty law and other reform bills.
Under HB 6771, individuals with relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity who are incumbent elected officials would be barred from running for office. However, the measure has drawn criticism from various sectors, who argue that it contains loopholes and may fail to genuinely curb political dynasties.
