Speaker Faustino Dy III on Thursday underscored the importance of Visayas stakeholders as the House of Representatives brought its nationwide consultations on the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act to Cebu City.
The regional hearing was held at the University of the Philippines Cebu, drawing participants from across the Visayas to discuss the long-debated reform measure.
In a video message, Dy said the House intentionally moved consultations outside Metro Manila to ensure the proposal reflects nationwide sentiment.
“Ngayon naman po ay lumalapit ang Kongreso sa inyo, mga mahal naming taga-Visayas, dahil ang inyong tinig at damdamin ay aming pinahahalagahan at isinasaalang-alang,” Dy said.
(Now, Congress comes to you, our dear people of Visayas, because your voice and your sentiments are what we value and consider.)
The Cebu hearing follows the first round of consultations in Carmona, Cavite, and forms part of a three-island cluster approach that will also include a Mindanao leg in Cagayan de Oro City.
The initiative is spearheaded by House leadership and implemented by the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
Dy, along with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, authored House Bill 6771, one of 24 anti-political dynasty measures filed in the chamber.
The bill seeks to operationalize the 1987 Constitution’s prohibition on political dynasties by defining prohibited family relationships and limiting the holding of elective office.
Dy thanked Cebu stakeholders for participating in the consultations, calling their input vital to crafting a constitutionally sound and responsive law.
He cited lessons from the Cavite hearing, saying discussions were candid and reflected diverse perspectives.
According to Dy, the exchanges “strengthened our understanding of the complexities of the issue.”
Adiong earlier said the consultations aim to gather concrete public input on key policy questions, including the scope of family relationships to be covered and the elective posts that would be affected.
With Cebu hosting the Visayas leg, Dy stressed that reform would gain legitimacy only if it reflects the collective voice of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“Ang Kapulungan ay handang makinig at kumilos para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa (The House is ready to listen and take action for the betterment of our country),” Dy said.
