House committee resumes talks on anti-political dynasty bills

The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms on Monday said deliberations on proposed anti-political dynasty measures will resume on Tuesday, 27 January.

The committee, chaired by Zia Alonto Adiong, will hold its first hearing on the Anti-Political Dynasty bills, marking a key step toward fulfilling the constitutional mandate to prohibit political dynasties.

At least 19 versions of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill have been officially referred to the committee. One additional measure filed by Miro Quimbo is awaiting referral following the congressional break, bringing the total number of proposed bills to 20.

Among the principal authors of the referred measures are Reps. Antonio L. Tinio and Renee Louise M. Co (HB No. 209), Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores (HB No. 381), Rep. Marguerite del Mar (HB No. 874), Rep. Bernadette S. Barbers (HB No. 909), Rep. Mark Anthony G. Santos (HB No. 1297), Rep. Edgar R. Erice (HB No. 2037), Rep. Leila M. De Lima (HB No. 2131), Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago (HB No. 4784), Rep. Ramon Rodrigo L. Gutierrez (HB No. 5334), Rep. Roman T. Romulo (HB No. 5871), Reps. Kaka Bag-ao, Percival Cendaña, Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” I. Diokno and Dadah Kiram Ismula (HB No. 5905), Rep. Mauricio G. Domogan (HB No. 6064), Reps. Faustino G. Dy III and Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos (HB No. 6771), Rep. Lordan G. Suan (HB No. 6799), Rep. Raymond Adrian Salceda (HB No. 6826), Rep. Brian Poe (HB No. 6886), Rep. Edsel A. Galeos (HB No. 6888), Reps. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Arthur C. Yap (HB No. 6894), and Rep. Christopherson “Coco” M. Yap (HB No. 6925).

To ensure comprehensive and constitutionally grounded deliberations, the committee has invited a roster of resource persons, including former Supreme Court chief justices, constitutional commissioners, election officials, bar association leaders, and law school deans.

Among those invited are former chief justices Reynato C. Puno, Artemio V. Panganiban and Antonio T. Carpio; former associate justice Adolfo S. Azcuña; Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia; Philippine Bar Association President Joseph Manolo Rebano; Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Allan G. Panolong; and 1986 Constitutional Commission members Christian S. Monsod and Wilfrido V. Villacorta.

Deans from leading law schools, academics and civil society representatives are also expected to participate.

Adiong said he is fully committed to ensuring that the committee produces a version of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill that is effective, legally sound and constitutionally compliant.

He added that the committee will harness the collective expertise of its resource persons to craft a measure that promotes equitable political participation, upholds meritocracy and strengthens Philippine democracy.

The hearing marks a pivotal point in efforts to implement Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution and address one of the country’s longest-standing calls for political reform.