BAGUIO CITY – Mauricio Domogan, the lone district representative of Baguio City, said the House of Representatives continues to deliberate on proposals seeking to prohibit political dynasties, stressing that further study is crucial to crafting an effective law.
Domogan said at least 20 lawmakers have filed separate versions of an Anti-Dynasty Bill in Congress. Most proposals seek to bar relatives within the second degree of consanguinity from running for public office simultaneously in the same election. Other versions, however, aim to extend the restriction to relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity.
The Baguio lawmaker is among those pushing for the broader coverage, proposing that the ban extend up to the fourth degree. His proposal includes a provision allowing a family member to run in a subsequent election, provided that the incumbent relative has already completed their term or is no longer seeking office.
Domogan acknowledged that the proposals remain subject to extensive deliberations, particularly in defining what constitutes a political dynasty. He noted that while the 1987 Constitution mandates the prohibition of political dynasties, it does not provide a clear definition of the term.
He said constitutional experts were invited during the initial discussions, but lawmakers found the information gathered insufficient, prompting the scheduling of further consultations to refine the measure.
Domogan emphasized the need for a thorough review of all proposals to produce a clear and enforceable anti-dynasty law, saying this is necessary to fulfill the Constitution’s mandate of ensuring equal opportunities for all individuals seeking public office.