Rowegie Abanto

Scope of proposed anti-dynasty bill discussed in Bulacan

Article (news)

Scope of proposed anti-dynasty bill discussed in Bulacan. Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771218904235HBPbf2saEAAwT1w.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Scope of proposed anti-dynasty bill discussed in Bulacan. <em>Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>BULACAN — Are unmarried couples running for public office in the same locality covered by the anti-political dynasty bill? How about same-sex couples?</p><p>These were some of the questions raised during the fourth consultative meeting of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation held in Marilao, Bulacan on Monday.</p><p>“Halimbawa po future husband ko is mayor ng ibang bayan, will that be covered?” Marilao Mayor Jemina Sy asked. “Kung mag-jowa lang po sila, covered po ba yun?”  </p><p>Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee, replied, “Sa bill ko kahit hindi po sila kasal ng simbahan o civilly, basta mayroon silang iisang tahanan at pinakikilala ang sarili nila bilang isang couple, kahit nga hindi po kasal, mako-cover ng ban. Kung iyong probisyong iyon sa bill ko ay maipasa.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/13/bacolod-backs-anti-political-dynasty-law-as-senate-panel-conducts-consultation-1323">Senate gets support for anti-political dynasty bills in consultative meeting in Bacolod</a></div><p>“Kung originally mga mayor ng magkaibang bayan pero habang nanunungkulan ay nag-ibigan at naging couple, sa susunod na eleksyon ay mako-cover sila kung cohabiting,” Hontiveros added.</p><p>Sy, a panelist in the meeting, said the goal of an anti-political dynasty law is not to punish anyone but to widen the opportunity for public service and to ensure that power does not lie in one group alone.</p><p>She believes it is enough to limit the ban on political dynasties up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, saying relatives in the fourth degree can be considered a separate household.</p><p>“The flow of wealth or the influence hindi na siya nasasalin doon sa ganoon kalayo,” Sy said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/4/political-dynasties-partly-to-blame-for-flood-control-crisis-ngo-says-1822">Political dynasties partly to blame for flood control crisis, NGO says</a></div><p>The Model SK Network, however, said limiting only to the second degree is not enough.</p><p>“Maaari po yung ibang tao sasabihin nila masyado nang malayo ang fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity, hindi po. Dahil po tayo sa Pilipinas we are a family-centric country. Most of the household nga po, di ba, extended family,” said Manuel Bernas, National Chairperson of the Model SK Network.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LIMIT ONLY TO LOCAL POLITICS?</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Another panelist, Angeles City, Pampanga Vice Mayor Amos Rivera, also supports the passage of an anti-political dynasty bill, but suggested making the title inclusive, saying including the word “anti-political dynasty” goes against this.</p><p>“Parang mayroon na ho tayong wall na tinatayo sa mga dinastiyang nakaupong kasalukuyan,” Rivera said.</p><p>He also proposed limiting the scope to local politics, in the meantime.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/13/adiong-political-dynasty-ban-up-to-4th-degree-very-challenging-for-comelec-1153">Adiong: Political dynasty ban up to 4th degree ‘very challenging’ for Comelec</a></div><p>“Maganda rin po sigurong i-suggest na sa local level muna kung medyo mahirap sa, challenging sa national. Nakita natin sa barangay na-apply naman. Baka kasi kailangan dito, Senator, baka baby steps muna. Makita muna natin kung ano yung magiging traction niya. But regardless of kung ano man po ang ma-approve, ang importante po ay maisulong at then makita ho natin yung overall impact niya,” Rivera said.</p><p>Lawyer JT Santos, faculty from the School of Law of the Pampanga State University, proposed requiring a candidate to disclose if he has any relative who is an incumbent official, and imposing a penalty for those who will violate.</p><p>Santos also suggested including a qualification on which candidacy will be entertained by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) if a candidate has relatives who will also run in the elections.</p><p>Most Reverend Deogracias Iñiguez, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kalookan, hopes good points from the discussions on the bills will be applied to other laws in the country.</p><p>Another consultative meeting is scheduled on February 19 in Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO: </strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0k6PXLc7zrk?&amp;t=6s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Are unmarried couples running for public office in the same locality covered by the anti-political dynasty bill? How about same-sex couples? These were some of the questions raised during a consultative meeting in Bulacan.</p>

Are unmarried couples running for public office in the same locality covered by the anti-political dynasty bill? How about same-sex couples? These were some of the questions raised during a consultative meeting in Bulacan.

Scope of proposed anti-political dynasty bill discussed in Bulacan consultative meeting

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Scope of proposed anti-political dynasty bill discussed in Bulacan consultative meeting

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 16, 2026 01:24 PM PHT

|

Updated Feb 16, 2026 01:29 PM PHT

Read More:

Anti Dynasty

Anti Political Dynasty

Bulacan

Risa Hontiveros

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.