Senator Risa Hontiveros has once again filed a bill in the Senate aiming to curb the influence of political dynasties in the Philippines.

The senator filed Senate Bill No. 1548, also known as the “Kontra Dinastiya Act,” which seeks to prohibit spouses and relatives of incumbent officials from running for public office in the same jurisdiction.

Under the proposed law, close relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity—including spouses, great-great-grandparents, great aunts and uncles, first cousins, and grand nephews or nieces—would be barred from holding national or local elective positions.

The measure also extends to the party-list system, preventing relatives of current officials from immediately succeeding them in office.

“Political dynasty refers to the concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of public office and political power by spouses or relatives among national or local elective offices, as well as all other elective offices that may be created by law from time to time,” the bill states.

Hontiveros, a long-time advocate for fair elections and merit-based leadership, emphasized that the legislation aims to ensure that public office is earned based on ability rather than family name.

Meanwhile, on November 12, members of the Akbayan Reform Bloc filed a comprehensive “Anti-Political Dynasty Bill” in the House of Representatives, which also end the monopoly of power held by a few families in the country.