House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III on Monday said the nationwide consultations on the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act could serve as a model for how Congress engages the public on major legislation.
The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, led by Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, conducted regional hearings in Cavite, Cebu and Cagayan de Oro in a bid to bring legislative deliberations directly to communities.
“It showed us that what we did in Cavite, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro can serve as a model for future consultations on other bills of national importance,” Dy said.
The House is consolidating 24 anti-political dynasty bills, including House Bill No. 6771 authored by Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, into a unified substitute measure.
Dy said the consultations demonstrated how inclusive dialogue can strengthen both legislation and public trust.
“At kung tunay nating hangad ang people-centered governance, ang konsultasyon ay dapat maging bahagi ng ating kultura ng pamamahala,” the Speaker from Isabela said.
He described the initiative as a deliberate shift toward participatory governance, extending lawmaking beyond the session hall.
“Ipinapakita po nito, na ang batas ay hindi lamang dapat binubuo sa loob ng session hall, kundi kasama ang taumbayan mula sa Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao,” Dy said.
With consultations concluded and consolidation underway, Dy indicated that similar regional engagements may be adopted for other priority bills.
“Patuloy po tayong mag-usap. Patuloy po tayong makinig. At patuloy po tayong magtulungan para sa mas matatag na Bagong Pilipinas.”
In a separate video message, Dy thanked Filipinos who participated in the consultations, noting that both support and opposition were expressed during the discussions.
“Sa lahat ng nakilahok sa Anti-Political Dynasty Bill consultations sa Cavite, Cebu, at Cagayan de Oro—taos-puso po kaming nagpapasalamat,” Dy said.
He acknowledged the effort required to engage in policy debates.
“Hindi madali ang maglaan ng oras upang makinig, magsalita, at makipag-ugnayan sa usaping mahalaga sa ating demokrasya. Ngunit pinili ninyong makilahok. Pinili ninyong magpahayag ng inyong damdamin. Pinili ninyong maging bahagi ng proseso,” he said.
Dy emphasized that disagreement strengthened the process.
“We may not agree on every provision. We may not see eye to eye on every detail. But the fact that we can sit down, listen to each other, and debate with respect—that is democracy in action.”
He described the consultations as substantive and grounded in lived experiences, thanking students, civil society groups, local officials and professionals for participating.
“Sa lahat ng students, civil society groups, local officials, professionals, at citizens—maraming salamat sa inyong tapang, malasakit at pakikiisa.”