Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

House panel chair sees House approving proposed 2nd degree ban on political dynasties

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The House version of the anti-political dynasty bill will likely be similar to the Senate version, which seeks to ban second-degree relations of sitting officials from seeking public office.The proposed ban would cover officials&#x27; parents, children and siblings according to House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Zia Alonto Adiong.“So it would make our job a lot easier and faster for the bicam to come up with the bicam report,” he said, referring to a panel that will be created to reconcile differences in the bills.He said the same prohibition already exists for the Sangguniang Kabataan and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and more members favor it than a broader ban up to the fourth degree.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/24/senate-plenary-tackles-anti-political-dynasty-bill-1829">Senate plenary tackles anti political dynasty bill</a></div>Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan said he proposed a ban on up to the fourth degree but admitted that would be difficult to implement “because we still need due process and hearing in determining the degree of relationship between candidates.” Adiong said the version proposed by House leaders will serve as the committee’s working draft in consolidating the bills.House Bill 6771 defines “political dynasty relationship” as “an existing familial relationship with an incumbent elective public official, such as a spouse, direct ascendant or descendant, sibling or any other person related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half-blood”.It proposes these particular prohibitions:1. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective national position, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited from holding any elective national position2. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for the position of Member of the House of Representatives, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited from simultaneously holding any position within the same legislative district3. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective provincial position, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited from simultaneously holding any elective position in the same provincial government4. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective city or municipal office, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited to simultaneously hold any elective position in the same city or municipal government5. If a person is an incumbent or candidate for any elective barangay office, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited fromsimultaneously holding any position in the same barangay.Adiong added the version of the bill backed by Speaker Faustino Dy III of Isabela and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte already has more than a hundred co-authors,“So kung titingnan po natin kung sino ‘yung may suporta talaga at sino talaga ‘yung may backing, itong House Bill 6771,” Adiong said.(So if you look at which bill has the most support and backing, it is this one)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/19/legarda-files-seventh-bill-on-anti-political-dynasty-1730">Legarda files seventh bill on anti-political dynasty</a></div><div> </div><div>&#x27;FAT&#x27; DYNASTIES</div>The House panel chairperson admits fat dynasties, where relatives succeed each other in the same position, may still exist if HB 6771 is enacted, but he said at least it will prevent fat dynasties per locality.“Though the most commonly agreeable bill might provide the possibility of a fat dynasty, it doesn&#x27;t mean that if there is a fat dynasty… it would be inevitable that the evils that we are trying to avoid will be there,&quot; he said.He said the bill would curb the concentration of political power within one family in the same area. &quot;And I think that is the main purpose of this anti-dynasty bill… Even if there might be a fat dynasty, if it&#x27;s an ineffective fat dynasty, then I think that would be a more agreeable middle ground,”  Suan added.Adiong expects the panel to approve the consolidated version of the bill next week.Legislation to enable a ban in the 1987 Constitution against political dynasties has been pending for nearly 40 years.Bills against political dynasties have floundered in Congress, where dynasts dominate both chambers.

The proposed ban would cover officials' parents, children and siblings according to House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Zia Alonto Adiong.

The proposed ban would cover officials' parents, children and siblings according to House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Zia Alonto Adiong.

House panel chair foresees approval of bill for limited ban on dynasties

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

House panel chair foresees approval of bill for limited ban on dynasties

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 25, 2026 08:42 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Political dynasties

Congress

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.