House panel OKs anti-political dynasty bill barring relatives from same-area posts

The House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms on Tuesday approved a proposed Anti-Political Dynasty bill that would stop close relatives—up to second-degree family members—from running for or holding office in the same area at the same time, House Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice of Caloocan City said on Tuesday.

Erice, one of the authors of the anti-political dynasty proposals, said the panel approved the version filed by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of Isabela and House Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte.

He was referring to House Bill 6771, which seeks to disqualify spouses, siblings, and relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of a duly elected public official from simultaneously holding specified elective positions in the following instances:

• If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective national position, the spouse and the above-mentioned relatives are barred from simultaneously holding any elective national post;
• If a person is an incumbent or candidate for member of the House of Representatives, the spouse and the above-mentioned relatives are prohibited from holding the same position within the same legislative district at the same time;
• If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective provincial position, the spouse and the above-mentioned relatives are barred from holding any elective post in the same provincial government simultaneously;
• If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective city or municipal position, the spouse and the above-mentioned relatives are prohibited from holding any elective post in the same city or municipality at the same time; and
• If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective barangay position, the spouse and the above-mentioned relatives are barred from holding any position in the same barangay simultaneously.

House suffrage and electoral reforms panel chairperson Zia Adiong of Lanao del Sur said in a later press conference that the panel-approved version of House Bill 6771 limits coverage to relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

“This is a big step forward. We need a balanced, enforceable anti-political dynasty bill. This ensures that an Anti-Political Dynasty law will be in place before the next elections in May 2028,” Adiong told reporters.

However, Erice said he opposed the approved version, arguing that it still allows close relatives to run for and occupy public office at the same time, as long as they do so in different localities.

“It was approved as is [as filed by Congressman Marcos and the Speaker]. Five congressmen in five districts, 10 mayors in 10 cities — all related,” Erice told reporters.

“Everybody in public office (is) now relatives,” he added.

Erice expressed dismay that the approved version falls short of the Constitution’s intent to curb political dynasties.

“This is not what is in the Constitution. They do not want to limit family members in public office. From a fat dynasty, now we have an obese one,” he added.

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that “the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”

There is currently no enabling law defining and prohibiting political dynasties.—MCG, GMA Integrated News