House files bill vs political dynasties

House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos filed House Bill No. 6771, an Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, aiming to prevent relatives within the fourth civil degree of affinity or consanguinity from simultaneously holding similar elective positions on the same governmental level.

The bill clarifies that prohibitions apply to relatives of incumbent officials seeking positions at the same territorial jurisdiction, such as national, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay levels.

Dy and Marcos stated the bill is a faithful execution of the 1987 Constitution's prohibition against political dynasties, which has lacked an enabling law.

However, House minority lawmakers, including Rep. Leila de Lima and the Makabayan bloc, criticized the bill as inadequate and misleading, arguing it only limits but does not ban political dynasties.

De Lima stated that if majority of the six elective positions from national to barangay levels are occupied by members of the same family, it would still constitute a political dynasty.

The Makabayan Bloc described the bill as lacking and deceitful, warning that it might be further weakened during deliberations.

Political Science Prof. Julio Teehankee noted that the proposed ban is unclear on the maximum number of family members that can simultaneously occupy elective national and local posts and pointed out that the bill's territorial limitations might create loopholes, potentially allowing political dynasties to persist.