House version of anti-dynasty bill unlikely to curb political dynasties, watchdog says

By Mark Joseph M. Sanchez

THE anti-political dynasty measure, as approved by the House of Representatives, is unlikely to rein in entrenched political families, an election watchdog said, calling the bill’s passage a “hollow victory.”

While House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, is intended to fulfill a long-delayed constitutional mandate, the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) said it falls short of meaningful reform.

In a statement on Tuesday, NAMFREL flagged three weaknesses: narrow coverage of family relations, jurisdiction-based limits, and the absence of party-list provisions.

It said restricting coverage to second-degree relatives excludes wider kin such as cousins, aunts, uncles, and nephews, which often sustain political dynasties.

Jurisdictional limits, it added, still allow relatives to hold posts across national and local levels, including the Senate, House, and local governments, so long as they are not in the same jurisdiction.

NAMFREL also warned the party-list system remains largely unregulated, allowing political families to retain influence through sectoral representation while holding local posts.

House Bill No. 8389 seeks to prevent spouses and relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from pursuing or holding elective positions in the same political jurisdiction.

The measure is also silent on party-list systems, which could allow members of dynasties to run for party-list seats. Its counterpart measure remains pending on second reading.

The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism earlier reported that one in four party-list representatives are related to sitting members of either the House of Representatives or the Senate, and in some cases, both.

NOT ALIGNED
Political science professor Jean S. Encinas-Franco of the University of the Philippines Diliman said in a Viber message that the bill falls short of the Constitution’s intent.

“The approved bill does not necessarily do away with [political] dynasties. Thus, it is not really aligned with what the [Constitution] wants.” She said its impact remains limited despite its passage.

“Its impact is limited in the sense that it still allows dynasties to proliferate and expand.”

The bill bars second-degree relatives from simultaneously running or holding public office but stops short of an outright ban, instead of regulating configuration.

Ms. Franco said the framework leaves dynastic structures largely intact. “The provisions in effect will not really limit [political] dynasties in the long run.”

NAMFREL warned that a weak law could blunt future reforms, as Congress may later treat it as sufficient constitutional compliance, narrowing room for stronger measures.

It also criticized the mechanism allowing relatives who both win to resolve conflicts through voluntary withdrawal or drawing of lots, calling it inconsistent with voter sovereignty.

The group urged broader coverage of up to fourth-degree relatives, cross-level restrictions within the same geographic area, and inclusion of party-list representation.

It also pushed stricter anti-succession rules and caps on simultaneous elective positions within families.

NAMFREL urged lawmakers to avoid a watered-down final version, warning loopholes could revive calls for a people’s initiative to enforce constitutional compliance outside Congress.

“[Political dynasties] are a structural barrier to the equal participation of every Filipino in democratic governance,” it said, adding reforms must go beyond symbolic limits to be meaningful.