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Senate President Vicente Sotto III delivers a speech during the opening of the 3rd Regular Session of the 18th Congress Monday, July 26, 2021. In his speech, Sotto enjoined the Filipino people to work with senators and the country to contribute to the good of all. Voltaire Domingo, Senate PRIB

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SENATE

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III warned of possible loopholes in the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, saying complications may arise from extramarital partners and their relatives. Sotto asked if mistresses or partners outside of marriage of incumbent government officials are covered by the ban during Wednesday’s plenary deliberations. Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Chairman of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, answered in the affirmative. “Ibinibigay ng panukalang ito sa Commission on Elections na sila po ang magsabi kung ito bang mga elemento ng partnerships without the benefit of marriage ay nag-eexist o hindi. Maaring may finding ang isang korte na bigamous yung relasyong yun, maaring hindi pa. Pero kung nagco-cohabit yung couple na yun at nagpapakilala bilang couple kahit di sila kasal, iti-trigger po noon on the part of COMELEC yung prohibition,” Hontiveros explained. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/3/substitute-house-bill-consolidating-measures-vs-political-dynasties-approved-at-committee-level-1636">Substitute House bill consolidating measures vs. political dynasties approved at committee level</a></div>Sotto also asked—what if a mistress lies that she is no longer in a relationship with an incumbent official in order to run for public office? “I’m bringing this up because it could be a loophole,” Sotto mentioned. Hontiveros said lying could be a basis for the cancellation of the certificate of candidacy or nomination if COMELEC discovers that there is a potential political dynasty relationship. If the lie is discovered after the election, Hontiveros noted that the winning candidate may be subjected to a quo warranto petition. “Mavo-void ab initio po yung kanyang pagproklama at pagsilbi sa public service,” Hontiveros said. The bill is pushing for the ban on political dynasties up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, which covers spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren, among others. Sotto also asked if the bill covers siblings and parents of an incumbent official’s girlfriend, as well as her child whose father is not the said official. Hontiveros said these do not fall under the second degree. “Then we are not preventing the transfer of power or influence,” Sotto remarked. “Dahil yun din yun kung minsan nga yung girlfriend mas matapang kaysa doon sa asawa eh, di po ba?” “Ang influence nun kay mayor mas matindi, as a matter of fact, baka siya pa nga kasama sa bahay di yung asawa,” he added.   Sotto emphasized the need for a solution in such cases. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/4/palace-tells-erice-on-anti-dynasty-bill-trabahuhin-niya-ang-gusto-niyang-version-1644">Palace tells Erice on anti-dynasty bill: &#x27;Trabahuhin niya ang gusto niyang version&#x27;</a></div>Hontiveros said they will study the matter.<div> </div><div>DRAW LOTS </div>Senate Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also clarified provisions of the Anti-Political Dynasty bill. He asked whose candidacy will be accepted if some members of a family want to run for the same position and would not give way. Hontiveros answered, “The COMELEC shall notify all persons affected of the relevant circumstances, meaning a potential political dynasty relationship, within a period of five days from the last day of submission of reports. And then the person shall have 72 hours from receipt of such notice or from the posting or publication thereof to choose among themselves which individual shall proceed with the candidacy and to submit their joint agreement with the COMELEC.” If there is still no agreement, the proposal is for the poll body to proceed with the drawing of lots.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III warned of possible loopholes in the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, saying complications may arise from extramarital partners and their relatives.

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III warned of possible loopholes in the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, saying complications may arise from extramarital partners and their relatives.

Sotto warns of possible ‘loopholes’ in Anti-Political Dynasty bill when it comes to mistresses, extramarital partners

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Sotto warns of possible ‘loopholes’ in Anti-Political Dynasty bill when it comes to mistresses, extramarital partners

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 04, 2026 09:40 PM PHT

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Updated March 05, 2026 10:07 AM PHT

Read More:

Anti political dynasty

Tito Sotto

Risa Hontiveros

Senate

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