SENATOR Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, said the chamber is moving closer to finalizing a committee report on the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, with the goal of passing the measure before the end of March.
Speaking after the fourth public consultation held in Marilao, Bulacan, Hontiveros said inputs from stakeholders in Pasig, Calamba, Bacolod, and Bulacan are now being consolidated by the committee secretariat and her legislative staff.
“Yes, in fact, after each consultation, ini-input ng committee secretariat at saka ng legis ko yung mga very rich points na nakukuha namin so far,” she said. “So excited kami to craft a committee report na pagsasama-samahin lahat itong mga input sa consultations at siyempre sa mga pagdinig for the consideration of the committee members.”
She added that the proposal remains “pasok pa rin naman sa desired timeframe na makapagpasa ng batas this session or by late next month, March.”
The senator acknowledged that the most difficult issue is reaching consensus on how broadly the ban should apply.
“Yung pinakamalaking hurdle talaga ay magkaroon ng consensus or kahit compromise sa degrees of relationship na iko-cover, yung overlap between national and local positions at what to do about the partylist. At saka yung issue ng ang ibaban ba ay consecutive lamang or simultaneous lamang o both,” she said.
Hontiveros’ Senate bill seeks to prohibit political dynasties up to the fourth degree of consanguinity. She said that while she will continue pushing her version, the priority is to produce a law that can be implemented and strengthened over time.
“As a member of the Senate, siyempre ipu-push ko yung bill ko,” she said. “And bilang chair naman ng Electoral Reforms Committee sa Senate, basta ang bottom line ko ay makapag-produce kami ng bill na may kwenta. Impactful at hindi man perfect sa simula as I would like, hindi man ideal kaagad, pwedeng i-implement and in future congresses i-evaluate at i-amend at lalong palakasin ng mga Kongreso.”
She confirmed coordination with House leaders for a possible bicameral version that could be transmitted to Malacañang once both chambers pass their respective measures.
The proposed law aims to operationalize the constitutional prohibition on political dynasties, a provision that has remained without an enabling statute for decades. If enacted, the measure could reshape electoral competition, particularly in provinces where multiple members of the same family hold public office.
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