House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III puts a premium on the importance of hearing the voice of the Visayas as the House of Representatives brought its nationwide consultations on the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act to Cebu City.
The Visayas leg of the regional hearings was held at the University of the Philippines Cebu, drawing stakeholders from across the region for discussions on the long-debated reform measure.
Dy said the House deliberately moved the discussions outside Metro Manila to ensure the measure reflects the sentiments of the entire country.
“Now, Congress is reaching out to you, our dear people of the Visayas, because we value and consider your voices and sentiments,” Dy said.
The Cebu consultation follows the first round of hearings in Carmona, Cavite, and is part of a three-island cluster approach that also includes a Mindanao session in Cagayan de Oro City.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the House leadership and implemented by the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
Dy, together with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, authored House Bill No. 6771, seeking to finally implement the 1987 Constitution’s policy against political dynasties by defining prohibited family relationships and setting limits on holding elective office. The bill is one of the 24 anti-political dynasty measures filed in the House.
Dy thanked Cebu stakeholders for welcoming the consultation, calling their participation vital to shaping a law that is both constitutionally sound and grounded in lived realities.
“On behalf of the House of Representatives, we thank you for opening your hearts, minds, and communities to the important matter of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill,” he said.
He noted that lessons from the Cavite consultation demonstrated how deeply Filipinos care about the issue, with discussions marked by candor and thoughtful exchanges from differing perspectives.
According to Dy, “the discussions were honest, thoughtful and deeply rooted in real experiences. We heard both sides. And rather than divide us, these differing views strengthened our understanding of the complexities of the issue.”