The House of Representatives on Wednesday, May 20, approved in its second reading the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill barring relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or holding office in the same locality.

House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, was approved through viva voce voting by lawmakers, following the recommendation of House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairman and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.

Under the said bill, the husband and wife are prohibited from governing the same constituency at the same time. The same also goes for the children and their parents running for office within the same legislative office.

It's passing addresses political dynasties in the government. It reflects consultations across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Adiong emphasized that the substitute bill was crafted after extensive consultations nationwide, including consideration of legal, constitutional, and practical concerns on the regulation of political dynasties. However, the lawmaker clarified that the bill merely regulates simultaneous or successive concentration of elective positions within the same locality among close relatives.

Last year, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. pushed for the bill’s passing, identifying it as a priority measure under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos serve as the principal authors of the measure, with 173 lawmakers as co-authors.

Once enacted, the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill will take effect in the next elections. The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is also directed to issue implementing rules and regulations within 90 days from the law’s effectivity.