Metro Manila, Philippines – House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and presidential son Ilocos 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos filed the anti-dynasty bill which seeks to prevent “familial concentrations of political power” in public offices, a week after the pronouncement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of his support for the measure in contrast to his campaign stance.
The “Anti-Political Dynasty Act,” or House Bill 6771, was filed on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Dy and Marcos, who have a number of relatives seated in public office, said the bill is anchored on a “political system characterized by fairness, equal opportunity, and genuine public service.”
In the bill’s explanatory note, the lawmakers said it is a “crucial step toward building a more inclusive and accountable political system for all Filipinos.”
The president had asked Congress to prioritize the measure prohibiting individuals with relatives holding political positions from running or holding public office themselves.
Then Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago championed anti-political dynasty legislation in the 15th Congress through a bill filed in 2011. It never took off as Congress has been dominated by political clans, including party-list representation, through the years.
President Marcos had said that his position on the issue changed from the 2022 campaign — when he said there was nothing wrong with dynasties – because of the shifting political climate that has resulted in abuse of power. He added that voters should have more choices as part of efforts to stamp out corruption in public service.
The current bill defines political dynasty as the “concentration and dominance of elective political power by persons related to one another.”
The scope of political dynasty relationships include existing familial ties with incumbent elective public officials such as a spouse, direct ascendant or descendant, siblings or any other person related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity.
The fourth civil degree of consanguinity includes familial relationships such as first cousins while affinity ties include first cousin in-laws. The bill stated that “illegitimate” and “half-blood” relatives are also included in the scope of relationships.
Meanwhile, elective positions referred to in the act include the following:
- president, vice president, and senator;
- congressional district and party-list representatives;
- governor, vice-governor, and members of the sangguniang panlalawigan (provincial board);
- mayor, vice-mayor, and members of the sangguniang panlungsod (city council) and the sanguniang bayan (municipal council); and
- punong barangay (barangay chairman) and members of the sangguniang barangay (barangay council).
“This Act shall be applicable to the next election and to all subsequent elections thereafter,” the bill states.
It provides that candidates running for public office shall file a statement with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) swearing that he or she does not have any political dynasty relationship as defined by the measure. In case of a violation, the candidate is disqualified as Comelec will not count the votes cast for the person. The candidate will also not be proclaimed nor be qualified to assume office.
The bill shall be implemented 90 days from its effectivity.
The proposed law does not specify what would happen to sitting officials, such as Dy and Marcos who have relatives in elective positions, once the measure is implemented.
Besides the president and first lady, Marcos has Sen. Imee Marcos as aunt, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez as uncle, and Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc as cousin, and other relatives in different local positions in Ilocos Norte and Leyte.
Meanwhile, Dy’s sons are the current vice governor of Isabela and mayor of Echague town, also Isabela. A number of nieces and nephews are also House members.
