House leaders defended the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, saying the measure is designed to stop close relatives from simultaneously controlling the same local government units (LGUs) and their resources.
House Bill No. 8389 seeks to bar relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or holding office at the same time in the same locality.
“Hindi na po pwede sabay na manungkulan si misis at si mister. Si misis at ’yung kanyang anak, si nanay at si tatay,” Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said during plenary deliberations.
He said the restriction is intended to prevent possible manipulation of LGU resources by families holding multiple positions in the same area.
The Lanao del Sur solon issued the clarification in response to questions from Navotas City Rep. Toby Tiangco, who asked whether the proposal could truly limit the number of family members from the same political clan who may eventually win in elections.
Adiong acknowledged that the outcome of any election would still depend on voters.
“Sa bawat eleksyon ay wala namang kasiguraduhan kung ilan po talaga ’yung nananalo,” he said.
But he stressed that the bill provides a clear safeguard by preventing close relatives from simultaneously occupying elective posts in the same locality, where they could consolidate influence and control over public resources.
The measure is pending approval on second reading at the House of Representatives.
Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos are the principal authors of the bill, which has 173 other co-authors. It has also been endorsed as a priority measure by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
He said the proposal was carefully crafted to balance political reform with the democratic right of citizens to choose their leaders.
He described the measure as a major step toward implementing the Constitution’s long-standing mandate against political dynasties.
“Dahil wala pong anti-political dynasty na polisiya ang ating national government, ito po ay malaking step forward,” Adiong said.