Anti-Dynasty Bill Passes House Panel — But Critics Say It's Been Gutted Beyond Recognition
After nearly four decades of constitutional mandate, the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms finally approved an anti-political dynasty bill on Tuesday. But here's the catch — opposition lawmakers immediately pulled their support, calling the approved version a pale shadow of the original measure authored by Speaker Faustino Dy III and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.
The original House Bill 6771 prohibited political dynasties up to the fourth degree of consanguinity. The committee-approved substitute, however, waters that down to just the second degree — meaning only spouses, parents, children, and siblings are covered. The Makabayan bloc, composed of ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela's Sarah Elago, and Kabataan's Renee Co, formally withdrew their support in protest.
Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice didn't mince words either, calling the watered-down version "a travesty and disrespect of the Constitution." Under Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution, Congress is directed to prohibit political dynasties — a mandate that has gone unfulfilled for 39 years and counting.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong defended the bill, arguing it was the product of extensive public consultations and the most widely co-authored version in the House. "I don't understand the basis where this description of 'weak' comes from because in the first place, we don't have an anti-political dynasty law," Adiong fired back. Speaker Dy echoed this, saying, "Today, we move closer to fulfilling that mandate."
Under the approved bill, candidates must file a sworn statement with COMELEC declaring their candidacy won't create a prohibited dynasty relationship. If multiple relatives win in the same jurisdiction, they have 48 hours to decide among themselves who takes office — otherwise, COMELEC draws lots. The bill still needs to pass the House plenary before heading to the Senate.
Source: The Manila Times
