'Walang Pinagbago': Rep. Bag-ao Says the House Anti-Dynasty Bill Is Basically Useless
The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms just approved an anti-political dynasty bill, but don't pop the champagne yet. Opposition lawmaker Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands says the bill is so watered down it might as well not exist.
The problem? The bill bans relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or holding elective positions — but only within the same area of jurisdiction. That means a husband could be mayor in one town while his wife serves as mayor in the next town over, and it would be perfectly legal under this bill.
"We all know for a fact that a lot of members of the House and the Senate belong to the same family, sharing the same surnames. Ang gusto naman natin ay maumpishan na magkaroon ng first major step. Pero huwag namang ganong klase ng step na halos wala rin namang pinagbago," Bag-ao told Super Radyo dzBB.
Bag-ao, who authored a stricter version that would ban relatives up to the fourth degree, said she'd accept a compromise at the second degree — but only if the "same area of jurisdiction" qualifier is removed. As she pointed out, a second-degree ban is already narrow, covering only children, parents, grandparents, spouses, and in-laws. The Senate version, led by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, takes this approach without the geographic loophole.
House panel chair Rep. Zia Adiong defended the approved version, calling it a "big step forward" and saying it ensures an anti-dynasty law will be in place before the May 2028 elections. But Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice of Caloocan joined the criticism, arguing the bill still lets close relatives run simultaneously as long as they're in different localities.
Source: GMA News
