House begins hearings on long-delayed Anti-Political dynasty bills

MANILA — The House of Representatives on Tuesday began committee deliberations on long-pending measures seeking to prohibit political dynasties, renewing efforts to implement a constitutional provision that has remained unenforced since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.

The deliberations were formally launched during the inaugural hearing of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III attended the hearing and is the principal author of one of the 20 anti-political dynasty bills currently filed in the House of Representatives.

In his opening remarks, Dy said the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill has long been sought by the Filipino people but has remained without an enabling law nearly four decades after the Constitution took effect.

“Ang panukalang Anti-Political Dynasty Bill ay matagal nang hinihintay ng sambayanang Pilipino. It has been close to 40 years since our Constitution was ratified with a provision intended to ‘guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties.’ Ngunit kulang po ito ng isang enabling law—at ito po ang nais nating ipasa sa 20th Congress,” Dy said.

The Speaker, who represents Isabela, said the House under his leadership is committed to addressing the issue seriously and carefully weighing its full implications.

“Ang anti-political dynasty bill ay usaping matagal nang tinatalakay, ngunit ngayon ay malinaw ang aming hangarin na seryosong talakayin ito ng Kapulungan nang buo, tapat, at may malasakit sa bayan at sa kinabukasan ng bansa,” Dy emphasized.

“Panahon na pag-usapan nang husto para makapagpasa tayo ng isang panukala na katanggap-tanggap ng ating mga kababayan at ng ating mga kapwa lingkod-bayan,” he added.

Dy noted that the proposed legislation forms part of broader democratic reforms aimed at strengthening institutions and expanding access to public service.

“Tandaan po natin: simula pa lamang ito ng mas malawak na mga repormang layuning palakasin ang ating demokrasya, palawakin ang patas na pagkakataon sa paglilingkod-bayan, at ibalik ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa ating mga institusyon,” he said.

The House leader also pointed out that the anti-political dynasty measure has been identified as a priority by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the recent meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).

“The President himself recognizes that it is time to pass this measure. Sa huling LEDAC, isinama po nya ang anti-political dynasty act sa mga priority measures,” Dy said.

Dy filed House Bill No. 6771 jointly with Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, one of the measures taken up during the committee hearing.

According to Dy, the hearings are intended to gather diverse views and examine the full implications of the proposed legislation.

“Kaya po tayo nagsasagawa ng mga pagdinig na tulad nito upang marinig ang lahat ng panig, ang iba’t ibang pananaw, at ang buong saklaw ng magiging implikasyon ng panukalang batas,” he explained.

He stressed that the House intends to listen carefully to all stakeholders.

“Nandito po kami hindi lamang upang magsalita, kundi higit sa lahat upang makinig. Bukas ang aming isipan, at bukas din ang aming kalooban sa makabuluhan at tapat na pag-uusap,” he said.

The Speaker urged his fellow lawmakers to remain open-minded throughout the deliberations.

“Huwag po nating isara ang ating isipan. Huwag tayong magpakulong sa mga nakapirming paninindigan. Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay maglinaw, magtimbang, at magpalalim ng pag-unawa upang magabayan nang wasto ang mga mambabatas sa kanilang magiging pasya,” Dy said.

Dy expressed hope that the deliberations would lead to a constructive and meaningful discussion.

“Inaasahan natin ang isang tapat at makabuluhang talakayan na tunay na magsisilbi sa kapakanan ng ating bayan,” he said.