The Akbayan Reform Bloc said it cannot support the House version of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill in its current form, warning that the measure contains loopholes that could allow entrenched political families to preserve their influence across different levels of government.
In a statement, the bloc said House Bill No. 8389 falls short of the Constitution’s mandate to prohibit political dynasties and fails to provide the strong reforms needed to dismantle the concentration of political and economic power among a few families.
The group said the bill is being presented as a reform measure, but its limited scope weakens its promise and risks preserving the status quo.
One of the key concerns raised is the bill’s creation of separate levels of prohibition for national, district, provincial, and municipal or city positions instead of imposing a blanket ban covering all elective posts.
Under this setup, members of the same family could still simultaneously hold different positions, such as senator, governor, district representative, and mayor, allowing existing political clans to retain control across several layers of government.
The bloc also criticized the bill’s failure to include the party-list system in its coverage, saying this omission could give political dynasties another avenue to expand their power.
While the measure recognizes simultaneous holding of national elective positions as part of dynastic relationships, it does not expressly cover party-list nominees and representatives. The bloc said this inconsistency undermines the purpose of an anti-political dynasty law and could further expose the party-list system to capture by powerful political and economic interests.
The lawmakers also questioned the bill’s coverage of relatives only up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, saying a stronger measure should extend the prohibition up to the fourth degree.
They also cited what they described as weak restrictions on dynasties in legislative districts, among other problematic provisions that they said should prompt lawmakers to reconsider the bill.
The bloc said the Constitution did not envision a watered-down ban, but a meaningful reform that would democratize political power, broaden representation, and dismantle entrenched patronage systems.
It warned that passing a weak and compromised version of the anti-dynasty bill could further erode public trust in democratic institutions, especially at a time when citizens are demanding genuine accountability and political reform.
Approving a measure filled with loopholes, the bloc said, would only reinforce public concern that political leaders remain unwilling to embrace meaningful change.
The group said that if the bill passes the House and a counterpart measure is approved by the Senate, members of the bicameral conference committee should correct its deficiencies and strengthen the final version.
The bloc counts as members Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismulah and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
said a truly strong Anti-Political Dynasty Law, faithful to the Constitution and responsive to the public’s demand for reform, can still be enacted.