UMVA has learned that a landmark bill aimed at curbing the influence of political dynasties has been approved by the House of Representatives on its third and final reading.
The bill, which garnered 267 votes in favor, 20 against, and seven abstentions, seeks to prevent spouses and relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from pursuing or holding elective positions in the same political jurisdiction. This move is expected to expand political participation and address longstanding calls to implement the constitutional provision against political dynasties.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Anti-Political Dynasty Act aims to promote broader political participation and strengthen public trust in democratic institutions. The bill's co-author, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos III, emphasized that the measure recognizes a reality in politics while responding to a constitutional mandate that has remained pending for decades.
The bill covers all elective positions at the national and local levels, including the President, Vice-President, Senate, House of Representatives, and local governments. Candidates will be required to submit a sworn declaration to prove they are not subject to the prohibited political dynasty arrangement, with corresponding penalties for falsification and circumvention.
However, not all lawmakers were in favor of the bill. Party-list Rep. Renee Louise M. Co voted against the measure, questioning its effectiveness in addressing the root of the problem in the country's governance system. She argued that the bill fails to address the deeper issue of "bureaucratic capitalism," where government is used as a business for personal gain.
The passage of the bill marks a significant step towards transforming the country's politics, and it is among the priority measures identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council for the 20th Congress. The bill's approval comes on the heels of another significant measure, the proposed Right to Information Act, which secured final reading approval earlier.
The Right to Information Act aims to transform the constitutional right to information into an enforceable statutory right, providing for the creation of the Right to Information Council and an Online RTI Portal for electronic request and tracking. The bill also mandates proactive disclosure of budgets, audit reports, and other public interest documents.
Rep. Marcos emphasized that the Right to Information Act strengthens transparency while ensuring that legitimate concerns involving privacy, national security, and sensitive information remain protected under clearly defined safeguards. The approval of these bills is seen as a significant step towards promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
