House passes anti-dynasty bill on final reading

The House of Representatives passed House Bill No. 8389 on final reading on Wednesday, June 3. The measure defines and regulates political dynasties for the first time since the 1987 Constitution required Congress to enact such rules. A total of 271 lawmakers voted in favor, 16 voted against, and seven abstained.

The bill originated from the offices of Speaker Bojie Dy and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.

Provisions and scope Under the approved version, a political dynasty relationship covers only parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and spouses. These relatives may run for office at the same time as an incumbent or succeed them immediately.

The bill permits families to field candidates simultaneously for one national post, one provincial post, one municipal or city post, and multiple congressional seats. An earlier draft had proposed extending the ban to fourth-degree relatives.

Senate outlook The measure's provision barring relatives from holding more than one national post at once faces opposition in the Senate, where four pairs of siblings currently serve. Opposition groups Akbayan and Makabayan withdrew their authorship from the House version.

Bill sponsor Zia Alonto Adiong defended the compromise. "We must strike a careful balance, ensuring that we do not unduly impair the sovereign right of the people to choose their leaders, nor the right of qualified citizens to offer themselves for public service," Adiong said in a May 25 statement.

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.