A new bill aimed at prohibiting political dynasties in elective positions has been filed in the Senate, where four sets of siblings currently hold seats.
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday filed Senate Bill No. 1548, or the Kontra Dinastiya Act, which seeks to bar spouses and relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity of national officials from running in national elections, and relatives of local officials from running in local positions within the same legislative district, province, or city.
The fourth degree includes great-great-grandparents, great aunts and uncles, first cousins, and grand nephews and nieces.
The proposed law also prevents officials’ spouses or relatives from immediately succeeding them in office.
Relatives of national and local officials within this degree are likewise barred from running under the party-list system.
38 YEARS WITHOUT ENABLING LAW
Hontiveros highlighted that while the 1987 Philippine Constitution bans political dynasties, the absence of an enabling law has allowed political clans to consolidate power.
Currently, over half of public officials are from political dynasties.
Citing studies and reports from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Hontiveros said more than 80 percent of House members are dynasts, with many local officials sharing the same family names.
“The passage of an Anti-Political Dynasty Law is necessary to restore fairness in our electoral system, strengthen public institutions, and ensure that government leadership is determined not by birth or inherited political machinery, but by merit, integrity, and a genuine mandate from the people,” the bill’s explanatory note states.
AMID FAMILY CONTROVERSY
The filing comes amid internal tensions within the Marcos family, after Senator Imee Marcos accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Sandro Marcos of drug use.
Malacañang denied the claims, while Rep. Sandro Marcos called his aunt’s allegations a “web of lies” aimed at “destabilizing the government” to advance her political ambitions.
A counterpart to Hontiveros’ bill was filed in the House last week by the Akbayan Party-List. House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, from a politically influential family in Isabela, pledged to prioritize anti-dynasty legislation under his leadership, signaling the chamber’s commitment to reform following the flood control corruption controversy.