House begins plenary deliberations on anti-dynasty bill

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives begins plenary discussions on Tuesday, March 17, on a proposal to define and regulate political dynasties.

The prevailing version of the bill is strikingly similar to the one filed by Speaker Bojie Dy and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.

The only major difference is that the anti-dynasty ban has been relaxed from up to the fourth degree of consanguinity to only second degree.

The committee-approved bill describes a political dynasty relationship as an existing family connection between an incumbent elected official and anyone related to them up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity.

The prohibition, however, is based only on territory or government level.

It bars relatives:

• of national elective officials from holding other national elective posts
• from running for the same congressional office in a legislative district at the same time
• of provincial elective officials from holding other elective posts in the same provincial government
• of municipal or city elective officials from holding other elective posts in the same municipal or city government
• of barangay elective officials from holding other elective posts in the same barangay

This template allows numerous members of the same political family to still be in elective office.

The bill also does not seek to address the longstanding ill of successive dynasties.

Watch the livestream of the plenary deliberations on Tuesday, March 17. – Rappler.com