Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Senate starts deliberation on anti-political dynasty anew

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Senate has begun discussions on anti-political dynasty anew as the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation discussed three bills which are pushing for the prohibition of political dynasties.These are Senate Bill 18 of Senator Robinhood Padilla, Senate Bill 35 of Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senate Bill 285 of Senator Francis Pangilinan.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/2/house-bill-seeking-to-ban-political-dynasties-filed-anew-in-the-20th-congress-1432">House Bill seeking to ban political dynasties filed anew in the 20th Congress</a></div>Senator Risa Hontiveros, Vice Chair of the Committee, said 38 years have passed since the 1987 Constitution has been ratified which says that the state shall &quot;prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law,&quot; but dynasties continue to persist.  “Ayon sa iba, okay lang daw ang political dynasty, basta maayos manilbihan. Ang tanong: talaga ba?” Hontiveros asked in her opening statement.  “Habang hindi tayo magkasundo sa isang Anti-Political Dynasty Law, iilang pamilya lamang ang may hawak sa ating bansa.”  Hontiveros noted that according to the Ateneo School of Government, fat dynasties are dynasties which have two to three members who are holding a position at the same time. Obese dynasties, meanwhile, have four to five members.  “Maraming pag-aaral na nga ang nag-ulat na habang kumakalat ang mga dinastiya ay sabay namang bumababa ang kaayusan ng pamamahala at antas ng serbisyo sa publiko,” Hontiveros said.Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said a law is needed to define the extent of scope of the anti-political dynasty prohibition.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/4/1/several-lawmakers-back-calls-for-law-against-political-dynasties-1618">Several lawmakers back calls for law against political dynasties</a></div>Asked up to what degree of consanguinity should be prohibited, Garcia said, “Sa amin pong palagay, yung second degree of consanguinity po ang mas praktikal at mas reasonable in order not to deprive others of opportunity to run for public office.&quot;The second degree includes the spouse, siblings, and grandparents.“Yung question as to what degree, it is a policy decision and it is really for Congress po to really determine kung anong degree,” Garcia added.Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto said, however, that there should be practicality in determining the scope.“Let’s say mayroong isang pamilya o may isang kandidatong tumatakbong governor ng Cebu tapos ang kanyang kapatid tumatakbo na mayor ng Pasay. Hindi ko nakikita po yung influence eh. Ang layo eh. It’s not practical,” Sotto stated.  Garcia said they have to study this further as they consider the bills and that they do not have motu propio powers to stop candidates coming from political dynasties from running.Civil society groups were also invited to the hearing with Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) Executive Director Atty. Ona Caritos saying that there are no checks and balances in political dynasties.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/31/sc-urged-to-mandate-congress-to-pass-law-against-political-dynasties-1837">SC urged to mandate Congress to pass law against political dynasties</a></div>“Kung ang mayor ay tatay ng vice mayor na nag-a-approve ng budget, wala po talagang makakapag-check niyan,” Caritos said.National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) Secretary General Eric Jude Alvia echoed one study which says &quot;dynasties exacerbate poverty in provinces outside of Luzon.”Sen. Imee Marcos says there are effective dynasties.”Sabihin nang fat dynasty, sabihin na nating thin dynasty, nobody can argue that the development in Bataan through the Garcia family has been stunning and really incomparable to any other province. Siguro kaya hindi nabebenta itong anti-dynasty ay dahil sa mga lalawigang katulad ng Bataan kung saan makikita yung wealth creation,&quot; she explained.“Bibidahin ko rin yung Ilocos Norte . We have the lowest poverty rate. We have no ecozone, we have no freeport, we are miles and miles away from Metro Manila. Ganoon din ang Cebu, ganoon din ang Davao City. Papano kukumbinsihin yung mga tao dun na masama yung dinastiya kapag yung delivery di hamak na mas maayos kaysa sa opisyal ng pamahalaan,” Marcos added.Senator Erwin Tulfo pointed out that aside from determining the degree of consanguinity, other things to consider is whether the law should be applied to the simultaneous holding of power or to succession. He also wants to know if there would be any implication on the public’s right to vote.

The Senate has begun discussions on anti-political dynasty anew as the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation discussed three bills which are pushing for the prohibition of political dynasties.

The Senate has begun discussions on anti-political dynasty anew as the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation discussed three bills which are pushing for the prohibition of political dynasties.