A RANKING House lawmaker defended the anti-political dynasty measure passed at the House of Representatives, noting it is the "most realistic" approach to implementing the Constitution’s mandate against political dynasties while preserving democratic choice.
The measure, filed under House Bill 8389, seeks to prohibit political dynasties by restricting spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously seeking or holding elective positions within the same political jurisdiction.
Under the House-approved version, relatives within the prohibited degree may not simultaneously occupy elective positions within the same province, city, municipality, district, or barangay (village).
The bill was principally authored by Speaker Faustino Dy III and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.
During a forum in Quezon City on Saturday, Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said the House version may not be as sweeping as some advocates want, but it stands the best chance of becoming law.
"Perhaps the anti-political dynasty bill that we passed — the version we pushed for and got approved — is, you could say, the most realistic one. Somehow, some trimming did happen, and although it isn't that comprehensive or that dramatic, it's the most realistic version that actually has a chance of being passed," Ortega, whose family is a political dynasty, added in Filipino.
He said the bill should be viewed as a "significant first step" after decades of failed attempts to pass an enabling law.
He also said that the House version adopts a "clustering approach" that would prevent close relatives from simultaneously holding multiple elective positions within the same political jurisdiction.
Ortega, however, said that anti-dynasty legislation alone will not solve all governance issues.
He added that during the bill's deliberations, he proposed raising qualifications for public office and encouraging the development of future leaders regardless of family background.
He argued that voters should continue to judge candidates based on competence and performance rather than family name alone, and he has pushed for stronger political parties and a shift toward issue-based politics.
Ortega also said that strong political parties would help reduce political turncoatism and encourage judging candidates based on competence and performance rather than family name alone.
