The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties, a move that Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III said fulfills a long-standing constitutional mandate and aims to broaden access to public office.
Voting 271-16, with seven abstentions, lawmakers passed House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which seeks to prevent political power from remaining concentrated among a few families and expand opportunities for more Filipinos to seek elected positions.
The measure was principally authored by Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, with 173 lawmakers joining as co-authors. It is also among the priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) and endorsed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
Dy described the approval as a major democratic reform and the fulfillment of a constitutional provision that has remained unenforced since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.
“Sa loob ng halos apat na dekada, naghihintay ang ating Saligang Batas na maisakatuparan ang pagbabawal sa political dynasties. Ngayon, kumilos ang Kamara. Isang mahalagang yugto ito sa ating demokrasya sapagkat ang isang pangakong konstitusyonal ay nagsisimula nang maging isang konkretong reporma,” he said.
The Speaker emphasized that the measure is not intended to target specific families or limit legitimate political participation.
“This measure does not intend to target families or restrict legitimate political participation. It seeks to ensure that public office remains open to all Filipinos and that leadership is determined by the people’s trust, not by the concentration of power in a few clans,” he said.
Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution directs the State to prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
According to Dy, the bill seeks to strengthen democratic competition and encourage the emergence of new leaders across the country.
“A stronger democracy is one where every Filipino, regardless of surname or political pedigree, has a fair chance to serve. By opening more space for new voices, new leaders and new ideas, we strengthen our institutions and deepen public trust in government,” he said.
The measure was approved following deliberations by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. The panel consolidated 17 related proposals into a substitute bill after conducting consultations with stakeholders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
