Camille Naredo

Members of Akbayan Youth and the Youth Against Kurakot (YAK!) Coalition held a mobilization dubbed “YAK Dynasty! Pass the Anti-Dynasty Law Now!” at the South Gate of the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, urging lawmakers to immediately pass the long-delayed Anti-Political Dynasty Law. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Members of Akbayan Youth and the Youth Against Kurakot (YAK!) Coalition held a mobilization dubbed “YAK Dynasty! Pass the Anti-Dynasty Law Now!” at the South Gate of the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, urging lawmakers to immediately pass the long-delayed Anti-Political Dynasty Law.   The protest featured a satirical skit titled “The Dynasty Succession” to highlight concerns about how political dynasties entrench corruption and treat public office as inherited power rather than a public trust.  Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

ANTi-DYNASTY LAW

Agatha Gregorio

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/177926951499420260127-anti-dynasty-protest-akbayan-youth-MT8.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Members of Akbayan Youth and the Youth Against Kurakot (YAK!) Coalition held a mobilization dubbed “YAK Dynasty! Pass the Anti-Dynasty Law Now!” at the South Gate of the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, urging lawmakers to immediately pass the long-delayed Anti-Political Dynasty Law. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Members of Akbayan Youth and the Youth Against Kurakot (YAK!) Coalition held a mobilization dubbed “YAK Dynasty! Pass the Anti-Dynasty Law Now!” at the South Gate of the House of Representatives in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, urging lawmakers to immediately pass the long-delayed Anti-Political Dynasty Law. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) -- The House of Representatives has approved on second reading the measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties in national and local elective offices, or House Bill 8389.</p><p>But there were bumps along the road, as Wednesday&#x27;s plenary session included a brief dispute between House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Zia Alonto Adiong and Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste.</p><p>During the period of amendments, Leviste proposed that the prohibition also apply to party-list representatives, and that the degree of consanguinity for the definition of political dynasties be changed to the fourth degree, instead of the second one.</p><p>Adiong rejected both proposed amendments.</p><p>&quot;I don&#x27;t need to explain my objection,&quot; Adiong replied when Leviste asked him to explain his opposition to the proposal on party-list representatives.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/4/7/wr-numero-poll-44-disagree-with-anti-political-dynasty-bill-1528">WR Numero poll: 44% disagree with anti-political dynasty bill</a></div><p>The version in the committee report dated March 9 regarding the bill defines a political dynasty relationship as one between a public official and an individual related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity. </p><p>During the period of sponsorship and debate, Adiong explained the second degree was agreed upon to make it easier for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to assess and review affiliations, among other reasons.</p><p>Adiong also said the matter on party lists should be a separate discussion, citing the Party-list System Reform Act.</p><p>Later, a viva voce vote determined the total rejection of the aforementioned proposals.</p><p>Leviste began to express his disagreement, saying, &quot;I would just like to manifest my disappointment that we are not passing a true anti-dynasty  bill.&quot;</p><p>Adiong was quick to cut in, saying, &quot;Mr. Speaker, point of order, this is a period of amendment, we don&#x27;t accept it– we don&#x27;t accept manifestation&quot; </p><p>But some proposed amendments were also accepted during plenary, including the exclusion of barangay captains and members of the barangay council from the prohibition.</p><p>Aside from this, Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin also proposed determining which relative would take a position depending on who obtained the highest number of votes or who was elected to higher office. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/8/people-s-initiative-eyed-to-push-anti-dynasty-law-1549">‘Dapat Isa Lang’ movement launches push for anti-political dynasty law through People’s Initiative</a></div><p>&quot;When two or more relatives are elected to positions with multiple seats within the same political unit, such as senators and members of the sanggunian, the candidate obtaining the highest number of votes shall assume office. Semicolon. Or B. When two or more relatives are elected to distinct positions within the same political unit, the candidate elected to the higher office shall assume the same,&quot; Garin said in proposing the amendment.</p><p>This proposal was also approved.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;SANA NAIWASAN ANG SENATE PRIMETIME BIDA&#x27;</strong></div><p>On what he called a &quot;truly meaningful&quot; anti-political dynasty legislation, Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said the existence of political dynasties and recent incidents at the Senate are connected.</p><p>The upper chamber had fallen into chaos last May 13, after gunshots were fired inside its premises.</p><p>&quot;Kung walang political dynasties, &#x27;di sana naiwasan ang Senate primetime bida… Ang starring mga pamilyang nagkakampihan para sa posisyon as lead characters. Imbes na napilitan ang buong bansa na manood ng teleserye, live action sa Senate last week, natalakay sana ng Senado ang mga mahahalagang panukalang batas na mas kinakailangan ngayon ng mga Pilipino,&quot; Cendaña said. </p><p>Four pairs of siblings sit as senators in the 20th Congress, including Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and his sister, Senator Pia Cayetano.</p><p>&quot;Nagiging volatile ang isang democratic institution, kagaya ng Senado, kung nakabase ang rigodon ng kapangyarihan sa iilang apelyido lamang– hindi sa tunggalian ng prinsipyo, hindi sa integridad ng mga pulitiko, at mas lalong hindi sa kapakanan ng taong bayan. And after this process, Mr. Speaker, sigurado po ako, kung ito man ang pumasang panukalang batas, our people will still yearn for a real and truly meaningful anti-political dynasty legislation,&quot; Cendaña added.</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/PiaxB8blJGI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The House of Representatives approved on second reading the measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties in national and local elective offices or House Bill 8389 during plenary session on Wednesday.</p>

The House of Representatives approved on second reading the measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties in national and local elective offices or House Bill 8389 during plenary session on Wednesday.

House OKs on 2nd reading anti-political dynasty bill

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House OKs on 2nd reading anti-political dynasty bill

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 20, 2026 05:33 PM PHT

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Updated May 20, 2026 06:56 PM PHT

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Political dynasty

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