“LET’S remember that the aim of this consultation, the aim of this discussion, or even the debate, should not be victory but progress.”
This according to Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, who on Friday set the tone for the third public consultation of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms on proposed Anti-Political Dynasty measures, held in his district at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) in Cagayan de Oro City.
The consultations were initiated by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, who directed the Committee to bring the discussion beyond the halls of Congress and into communities across the country.
Speaker Dy, together with Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, also filed their own proposed Anti-Political Dynasty measure, House Bill No. 6771, emphasize the leadership’s commitment to passing an Anti-Political dynasty measure in the 20th Congress.
The Mindanao consultation brought together lawmakers and stakeholders across Mindanao to deliberate on 24 pending bills seeking to operationalize the Constitution’s provision against political dynasties. The gathering was framed as a listening exercise—an opportunity for the House of Representatives to reach out to communities nationwide and anchor legislation on lived realities.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Chair of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, stressed that the process is rooted in the people’s sovereignty and participation.
“Sovereignty lies in the people. It is the people’s participation which breathes life into legislation,” Adiong said in his opening message.
“This is your opportunity to speak, and it is our duty to listen.”
Adiong noted that the Committee had already conducted hearings and consultations in Cavite for Luzon and in Cebu for the Visayas, engaging constitutional framers, legal scholars, election officials, advocates, and ordinary citizens both for and against the proposals. The Mindanao leg, he said, completes the House’s commitment to hear from all major island groups before moving forward.
“In today’s public consultation we are determined to listen to Mindanaoans on the 24 Anti-Political Dynasty bills referred to the Committee,” Adiong said, stressing that the Committee’s mandate is to protect and advance the right of suffrage and ensure that the people’s voice is reflected in election-related laws.
Deputy Speaker and Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Bambi Emano echoed the importance of broad participation, emphasizing that the consultation was not a mere formality.
“There are 24 bills. What the committee would like to do is hear all of you. If a technical working group is created, all your suggestions and all your ideas will be considered. No single person has a monopoly on good ideas,” said Emano.
For Misamis Oriental 1st District Rep. Jennifer “Karen” Lagbas, the measure presents an opportunity to widen democratic space and allow more Filipinos to express their desire to serve their communities, provinces, and political units.
Aside from Adiong, Suan, Emano, and Lagbas, those present at the USTP consultation included Cebu City 1st District Rep. Rachel Marguerite “Cutie” del Mar, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago, Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, and 1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado.
The lawmakers emphasized that the consultations are not designed to predetermine an outcome, but to refine the proposals through dialogue. As Rep. Suan reminded participants, the objective is not to “win” an argument, but to ensure that whatever measure emerges from Congress is more responsive, more inclusive, and more attuned to the realities on the ground.
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