House opens deliberations on anti-political dynasty bills

As deliberations on the long-stalled anti-political dynasty bill began, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III strongly urged his fellow lawmakers to remain open-minded throughout the discussions.

This call came as the House of Representatives on Tuesday opened committee deliberations on bills seeking to ban political dynasties, formally launching a renewed push to enforce a constitutional provision that has remained unimplemented since the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.

The deliberations opened with the first hearing of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong. The hearing was attended by Speaker Dy himself, who is the author of one of the 20 anti-political dynasty bills filed in the House.

“Do not close our minds. Do not allow us to be swayed by old stand. 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 hearings would lead to meaningful discussions that would ultimately serve the needs of the people.

In his opening remarks, Dy said the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill has long been awaited by the Filipino people and remains without an enabling law nearly four decades after the Constitution was ratified.

He noted that while the Constitution contains a provision intended to “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties,” no enabling law has been passed in almost 40 years. Dy said it is the aim of the 20th Congress to finally enact such a measure.

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

Dy added that the measure forms part of broader democratic reforms aimed at strengthening institutions and widening access to public service.

He also noted that the anti-political dynasty measure has been identified as a priority by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a 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 niya ang anti-political dynasty act sa mga priority measures,” Dy said.

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

He said the hearings are intended to gather diverse views and closely examine the implications of the proposed legislation, stressing that the House aims to listen carefully to all sides.