Comelec: Delay in anti-political dynasty law could affect 2028 polls

Preparations for the 2028 presidential elections may be affected if the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty law is not passed soon, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned on Tuesday.

According to a report by Isa Avedano-Umali on dzBB Super Radyo, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia raised the concern during a hearing of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, noting that there are only about one year and six months left before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2028 national elections.

Garcia said the limited timeframe could pose challenges in implementing the measure, particularly in conducting voter education ahead of the crucial polls.

“We have to understand that from today, we have almost one year and six months remaining before the filing of COCs for the 2028 important elections,” Garcia said.

“So practically, that’s how short the timeline is for us when it comes to approving this anti-political dynasty bill, because it will have to be implemented and enforced by Comelec in 2028,” he added.

The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms has begun legislative hearings on proposed anti-political dynasty bills, with at least 19 measures lined up for discussion. However, the bill filed by Marikina City Representative Romero Quimbo during the session break was not included.

Some of the proposed House measures would allow Comelec to motu proprio cancel a candidate’s COC, but Garcia stressed that due process must still be observed, including the conduct of full-blown investigations.

Comelec optimistic

Garcia said that they are hoping that the Anti-Political Dynasty would already be passed by July 2027.

“Hindi naman sa minamadali namin ng Kongreso, [pero] kung sadyang kailangan po natin maipasa [iyong Anti-Political Dynasty law], sana po bago mag-file ng [certificate of] candidacy (COC)…by July 2027 ay andyan na ‘yung Anti-political dynasty [law],” Garcia said.

“It’s not that we are rushing Congress [but] if we really need to pass [the Anti-Political Dynasty law], hopefully it would be passed before the filing the [certificate of] candidacy (COC)… by July 2027 the Anti-political dynasty [law] will already be there.

As of the moment, the filing of COC for the 2028 national elections is set for October 2027.

Comelec is optimistic the law will be passed on time, as lawmakers have already started deliberations and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has identified the measure as a priority.

“Nagkaroon na sila ng pagdinig sa kasalukuyan at sinabi ng Pangulo na ito ay isang priority measure. Kapag ang executive at legislation ang nagpursigi, naniniwala kami na ito ay aabot bago ang elections sa 2028,” Garcia said.

(They have already held hearings, and the President has declared it a priority measure. If the executive and legislative branches work together, we believe it can be passed before the 2028 elections.)

Garcia, however, emphasized that the law should be “brief, broad, and definite” to avoid leaving too much room for interpretation by Comelec.

“Wala na pong issue kung kailangan ba ang Political Dynasty Law o hindi. Kailangan po ito. Ang tanong na lang ay kung paano ipapatupad ang batas,” he said.

(There is no longer any question about whether the law is needed. It is needed. The issue now is how it will be implemented.)

In December 2025, President Marcos urged Congress to prioritize the passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill. Several measures have since been filed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to implement the 1987 Constitution’s provision prohibiting political dynasties.

Some lawmakers have also called on the President to certify the measure as urgent legislation, while Malacañang has said the country’s evolving political landscape prompted Marcos to support the proposed law.—with reports from Llanesca T. Panti/ MCG/ VAL, GMA Integrated News