Former Bayan Muna party-list chairperson Neri Colmenares renewed his call for the passage of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, saying it could serve as a defining legacy for any sitting president willing to push for reform.

Speaking in an interview on DZRH’S Dos Por Dos, Colmenares said that if a president truly wants to leave a meaningful mark in history, advancing legislation against political dynasties would be a significant step.

“Kung ang isang presidente, kung sino mang presidente, gusto mo mag-iwan ng legacy, ito yun [Anti-Political Dynasty Bill],” Colmenares said.

Colmenares is currently in Cebu to attend a congressional hearing on political dynasties, where he serves as a resource person. The hearing is being conducted by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Adiong.

He expressed cautious optimism that a law may finally be passed this time, although he raised concerns about the substance of the measure.

“I think maipapasa talagang batas ito. I think ha. Kung anong klaseng batas. Hindi natin alam,” he said.

“Kasi kung sakaling magpasa at pwede pa rin pala lima or anim, di parang wala kaming pinasang batas. Sana naman hindi naman ganun kadami.”

Colmenares recalled that in 2013, he served as lead author of an anti-political dynasty bill that, for the first time in history, passed the committee level and reached second reading in the House.

Their proposal originally allowed only one family member to hold elective office at a time, but negotiations led to a compromise allowing two relatives.

“[Pwede] dalawang magkasabay anywhere in the Philippines. Dalawa lang,” Colmenares said.

Under that proposal, for example, a congressman and a mayor from the same family could hold office at the same time. However, disagreements over proposals to expand the allowable number to four or five family members stalled the measure.

Currently, most versions of the bill being discussed cover relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity—such as parents and children—while some proposals extend up to the fourth degree, which includes first cousins.

Colmenares said he is open to compromise, as long as the measure remains meaningful.

“Ako hindi naman ako masungit. Pwede naman ako makausap,” he said, adding that what is important is the passage of a credible enabling law to implement the constitutional provision prohibiting political dynasties.

The former lawmaker also clarified that while the proposal has been tagged as a priority measure by President Bongbong Marcos, it has not been certified as urgent.

He explained that certification as urgent entails stronger coordination among the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), the House of Representatives, and the Senate to fast-track approval.

Still, Colmenares said the label—whether priority or urgent—matters less than genuine commitment.

“Whether tinawag nilang urgent yan or priority, sana may commitment na at least mapasa… May mapasa, na critical naman ha,” he said.

He emphasized that pushing for the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill would require political sacrifice, especially given that many prominent families, including those of sitting officials, are part of political dynasties.

“If you really want to do something, mag-build ka ng legacy, lahat naman ng legacy may sakripisyo.”

He added that he hopes Congress will finally enact the long-delayed reform instead of allowing another decade to pass without action.