Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong urged Congress to pass a bill banning political dynasties as it began plenary debates on the measure on Wednesday, calling it an electoral reform “40 years in the making” that fulfills a long-standing constitutional mandate.
“Today, we have the opportunity to make history. Today, we fulfill a long-standing constitutional mandate, 40 years in the making,” said Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, as he sponsored House Bill 8389 or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act.
The measure, principally authored by Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos along with 173 co-authors, seeks to implement a provision of the 1987 Constitution that has remained unenforced for decades.
The House is expected to pass the measure on plenary before adjourning for the Lenten break beginning March 20.
“Our Constitution is unequivocal in its guidance. Under the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article II, Section 26 states that the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law,” Adiong said.
He emphasized that while Congress has the authority to define political dynasties, it must do so within constitutional limits.
“Our task is not simply to write the most restrictive definition possible. Our responsibility is to craft a definition that is constitutional, workable, and capable of withstanding scrutiny here in plenary session and in the courts,” he said.
Adiong said the bill strikes a balance between reform and democratic principles, using Congress’ limited authority to define and prohibit political dynasties while remaining consistent with other constitutional rights.
“This bill is designed with precisely that objective… to define political dynasties in a manner that enables their prohibition, while remaining fully consistent with the other rights and principles enshrined in our fundamental law,” he said.
He also cited extensive consultations behind the measure, including committee hearings and nationwide discussions in Cavite, Cebu, and Cagayan de Oro.
“These discussions reaffirmed an important reality. The challenge before Congress is constitutional, legal, and deeply practical,” Adiong said.
The bill is among the priority reforms of House leadership and is included in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council agenda of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
“This bill represents a careful and deliberate step toward fulfilling that mandate,” Adiong said, urging lawmakers to support its passage.
