The Anti-political Dynasty Act of 2025

Salit Office of the beerup TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 DECI 16 P1:30 SENATE S. No. 1616 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippines has exhibited mid-range performance in the areas of representation, rights, and participation in the Global State of Democracy Index. At the same time, dramatic instances of democratic regression in several neighboring Southeast Asian countries in recent years underscore the fragility of democratic institutions in the region. Despite notable gains, the Philippines continues to face significant challenges in its pursuit of democratic consolidation, the most prominent of which is the persistent dominance of political dynasties at both the local and national levels. From the Spanish colonial period to the present day, powerful families and clans have consistently wielded political power and influence. Thus, the phenomenon of political dynasties is neither new nor incidental in Philippine politics. This poses as a fundamental impediment towards greater democratization. At its core, the emergence of a political dynasty signals the concentration of political power in a democratic society within one family, or a clan, whether within one political jurisdiction or across multiple jurisdictions. 1 1 Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (2024). Political Dynasties in the Philippines: Weighing the Implications of Regulation

Based on the most recent data from the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), the May 2025 elections indicate that political dynasties continue to dominate the Philippine political landscape. Specifically, 71 of the country's 82 provincial governments, equivalent to 87%, are controlled by members of political dynasties. Within the legislative branch, over half of district representatives seeking re-election belong to political dynasties. Of the 71 incumbent governors, 47 pursued re-election, while 19 who did not run were replaced by family members, illustrating the systematic perpetuation of political power within familial networks. Moreover, the party-list system, intended to expand political representation, has similarly been captured by dynastic interests, with 78 of 156 party-list organizations associated with political families. Furthermore, the share of provincial governors, House members, and mayors from political dynasties rose from 57%, 48%, and 40% in 2004 to 80%, 67%, and 53% in 2025, reflecting the growing concentration of political power within a few families. These figures underscore the persistent entrenchment of dynastic power and highlight significant structural barriers to equitable political participation in the Philippines.2 This runs in direct contrast to the most basic principle of democratic rule, which holds that all citizens should have an equal opportunity to participate in—and succeed in-the political process, including running for and holding public office. It likewise reflects the failure of Congress to uphold the constitutional mandate under Section 26 Article II of the 1987 Constitution, which requires the passage of an enabling law to prohibit political dynasties and to guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service. This measure gives life to the clear and unequivocal mandate of the Constitution that public office must be accessible to all citizens on equal terms. Political dynasties directly undermine the Constitution's promise of equal protection and equal access to opportunities for public service by entrenching power within a narrow circle of families. By enacting this measure, Congress finally fulfills its long-delayed constitutional obligation to prohibit political dynasties and to dismantle structures that perpetuate political inequality. This is not merely a policy choice; it is a constitutional 2 Philippine Institute for Development Studies (2025). Zero In: Dynasties Plague 2025 Philippine Elections

imperative to restore the supremacy of the people's will over inherited political power and to uphold the democratic order envisioned by our Constitution. In the light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. = ERCITO

ecital: Office of the caretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 DEG 16, P1:30 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1616 Introduced by Senator JV Ejercito AN ACT PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "The Anti-Political Dynasty

2 Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to

4 guarantee equal access and opportunity to public office and service to the public. 5 Towards this end, it is likewise declared the policy of the State to prohibit political dynasties as hereinafter defined.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - This following terms, as used herein, shall mean:

(a) Political Dynasty - The concentration, consolidation or perpetuation of public office and political power by persons related to one another. (b) Political Dynasty Relationship - Exists when a person who is the spouse of an incumbent elective official or a relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent elective official holds or runs for an elective office simultaneously with the incumbent elective official within the same city and/or province or occupies the same office immediately after the term of office of the incumbent elective official. A political dynasty shall also be deemed to exist where two (2) or more persons who are spouses or are related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity run simultaneously for elective public office within

the same city and/or province, even if neither is so related to an incumbent elective official. (c) Spouse - Shall refer to the legal or common law wife or husband of the incumbent elective officia!. (d) Second Civil Degree of Consanguinity or Affinity - Shall include the relatives of a person who may be the latter's brother or sister, direct ascendant or direct descendant, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, including their spouses. (e) Term Limits - Shall mean the maximum term limits for elected public officials as provided for in the Constitution. (f) Running for an Elective Office - Shall be deemed to commence upon the filing of the certificate of candidacy by a candidate with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). (g) Holding an Elective Office - Shall be deemed to commence from the moment the public ofticial takes his or her oath of office.

Sec. 4. Applicability. - This Act shall govern and be applicable to the next

elections and to all subsequent elections thereafter. In the case of incumbent elected officials who have political dynasty relationships with one another in the same city and/or province, they shall be allowed to run in all subsequent elections until they reach their term limit as provided by law.

Sec. 5. Persons Covered; Prohibited Candidates. - No spouse, or person related

within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood, to an incumbent elective official seeking re-election shall be allowed to hold or run for any elective office in the same province in the same election. In case the constituency of the incumbent elective official is national in character, the above relatives shall be disqualified from running only within the same province where the tormer is a registered voter. In case where none of the candidates is related to an incumbent elective official within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, but are related to one another within the said prohibited degree, they, including their spouses, shall be disquallfied

1 from holding or running for any local elective office within the same province in the 2 same election. In all cases, no person within the prohibited civil degree of relationship to the incumbent shall immediately succeed to the position of the latter: Provided however, 5 that this Section shall not apply to Punong Barangays or members of the Sangguniang Barangay.

Sec. 6. Statement with the Commission on Elections. - Any person running for

any elective public office except for that of Barangay official, shall file a sworn 9 statement with the COMELEC that he or she does not have a political dynasty relationship with an incumbent elective official running for an elective public office in the same city and/or province other than that of the position earlier mentioned.

Sec. 7. Effect of Violation of Prohibition. - The COMELEC shall, motu propio or

upon verified petition of any interested party, deny due course to any certificate of 14 candidacy filed in violation of this Act and the votes cast for the disqualified candidate, if any, shall not be counted and deemed not counted nor shall such candidate be proclaimed nor be qualified to assume office.

Sec. 8. Period for Filing Petition for Disqualification. - Any citizen of voting age,

candidate or duly registered political party, organization, or coalition of political parties may file with the COMELEC, after the last day for filing of certificates of candidacy and before proclamation, a petition to disqualify a candidate on grounds provided for under

Section 5 hereof.

In the event a candidate disqualified under this Act shall have been proclaimed and has assumed office, his or her political dynasty relationship shall be a ground for disqualification in appropriate quo warranto or other proceedings.

Sec. 9. Summary Proceedings. - The petition shall be heard and decided

summarily by the COMELEC, after due notice and hearing, and its decision shall be executory after the lapse of five (5) days from receipt thereof by the losing party.

Sec. 10. Effect of Petition if Unresolved Before Completion of Canvass. - If the

petition, for reasons beyond the control of the COMELEC, cannot be decided before the completion of the canvass, the votes cast for the respondent shall be included in the counting and canvassing: Provided however, that if the basis for such disqualification is strong, his or her proclamation shall be suspended notwithstanding

the fact that he or she received the winning number of votes in the election: Provided further, that in cases where disqualified candidate has been proclaimed he or she shall ipso facto forfeit his or her right to the office.

Sec. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The COMELEC shall

5 promulgate the rules and regulation for the implementation of the provisions of this 6 Act.

Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws inconsistent with the provisions of this Act

8 are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If any of the sections or provisions of this Act is

10 held invalid, all the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

Sec. 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the

date of its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. Approved,