House anti-dynasty bill ‘most realistic’

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June 21, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — It may not be the sweeping reform that advocates have long demanded, but the House-approved Anti-Political Dynasty Bill is the “most realistic” version capable of surviving the legislative process.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum, Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V defended House Bill 8389, arguing that the measure strikes a practical balance between curbing the concentration of political power and preserving the electorate’s democratic right to choose their leaders.

“At least there was trimming although it was not that comprehensive and as dramatic, but that is the most realistic,” Ortega explained.

The measure – principally authored by Speaker Faustino Dy III and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, who both belong to dynasties – prohibits spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously seeking or holding elective posts within the same political jurisdiction, such as a single province, city, municipality or barangay.

Ortega, who openly acknowledged his own background as part of a dynasty, framed the House version’s “clustering approach” as a significant milestone after decades of failed legislative attempts to enforce the 1987 Constitution’s mandate against political dynasties.

While backing the bill, Ortega cautioned that anti-dynasty legislation alone will not cure the country’s governance woes.

He noted that during the bill’s deliberations, he pushed for raising the baseline qualifications for public office to encourage the development of capable leaders, regardless of their family pedigree.

He also emphasized the urgent need to shift Philippine elections away from personality-driven campaigns toward issue-based politics anchored on stronger political parties.

“It will be better to strengthen the parties. Strengthen the core values, strengthen the stance of the party lists,” Ortega said, pointing out that deeply rooted party values would help reduce political turncoatism.

HB 8389, which is among the priority measures endorsed by President Marcos through the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, is now awaiting action in the Senate.

Should the upper chamber pass a counterpart measure, the bill will head to a bicameral conference committee before being transmitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature.