Anti-political Dynasty Act of 2025

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) FEB 12 P2:21 SENATE RECEIVED BY: s. No. 1854 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT DEFINING POLITICAL DYNASTIES, PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution unequivocally declares that "[t]he

State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." Almost four decades after the ratification of our Charter, this mandate remains unfulfilled. While the prohibition against political dynasties is explicit, the framers of the Constitution deliberately made its implementation contingent upon legislative action. In the absence of such a law, the constitutional ban has remained aspirational rather than operative, allowing the continued expansion and persistence of political families in elective positions across all levels of government. Empirical evidence demonstrates the scale and persistence of political dynasties in the Philippines, where such dominance remains among the highest globally. Over the past two decades, this concentration has intensified: by 2025, approximately 80% of provincial governors belonged to so-called "fat dynasties," up from 57% in 2004; representation in the House of Representatives increased to 67% from 48%; and the share of mayors from political dynasties rose to 53% from 40%. This concentration is further shown by the fact that around 4.5% of all contested positions were effectively uncontested, with approximately 800 out of 18,000 seats occupied by single

candidates from alleged warlord political clans (Philippine Institute of Development Studies, 2025). These patterns are not accidental. The persistence of political dynasties is rooted in a confluence of structural, economic, and cultural factors. Weak political parties, patronage-based electoral competition, unequal access to campaign resources, and limited voter choice, often reinforced by norms of personalism and deference, combine to reproduce dynastic power. Control over elective positions may, in certain contexts, concentrate access to state resources, shape policy outcomes, and maintain dominance through patronage networks, effectively crowding out non- dynastic and reform-oriented candidates. At its core, high concentrations of political power within families can weaken democratic accountability by diminishing electoral competition, a key mechanism for disciplining public officials. When political power is inherited rather than competitively earned, public office becomes insulated from performance-based evaluation, fostering inefficiency and abuse and undermining incentives for responsive and transparent governance. The erosion of accountability has concrete consequences for governance and development. A study by Mendoza et al. (2012) revealed that dynastic areas tend to exhibit higher poverty incidence, weaker public service delivery, and poorer development outcomes, including lower human development indicators. Such outcomes reflect the erosion of institutional checks and the prioritization of family control over public welfare. Ultimately, this weakening of accountability is compounded when political power is concentrated within families, as it heightens the risk of conflict of interest and strains the principal-agency relationship necessary for good governance. As agents of the State, public officials are expected to act solely in the public interest; however, those drawn from entrenched political families often face divided loyalties between public duty and family interest. In such circumstances, discretion is exercised to preserve familial dominance, accountability is further diluted, and public authority is treated as an extension of private power, creating institutional conditions that are more vulnerable to abuse and corruption.

At the same time, the constitutional prohibition against political dynasties must be read together with other constitutional guarantees, including the right of citizens to vote, the right to be voted upon, and the constitutionally prescribed terms of elective public office. These rights form part of the same constitutional order and must be harmonized rather than applied in isolation. Political dynasties are a deeply entrenched feature of the Philippine political landscape, shaped by multifaceted conditions that cannot be dismantled overnight. Awareness of this reality underscores the need for a gradual, principled, and credible transition toward a more open and competitive political system. This measure is therefore advanced in the understanding that reform is necessarily incremental, and that the dismantling of dynastic dominance requires both time and collective political will. In this sense, the bill represents an initial but essential step, planting the seeds of change toward a future where public office is more equitably accessible and democratic accountability is strengthened. Against this backdrop, legislative intervention becomes both necessary and measured. This proposed act does not seek to punish families, nor does it curtail the right of citizens to vote or to participate in public life. Rather, it aims to level the political playing field, expand meaningful electoral choice, and restore the primacy of merit, competence, and accountability in public service. By defining and prohibiting political dynasties within reasonable constitutional bounds, this bill gives life to a long- standing constitutional mandate, strengthens democratic institutions, curbs structural conflicts of interest, and advances the broader project of political reform. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. - LOREN LEGARDA

FERALE Ollim of the det tig TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session FEB 12. P2:22 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1854 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT DEFINING POLITICAL DYNASTIES, PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the Congress assembled:

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

2 Act of 2025."

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

guarantee equal access to opportunities for public office and public service to any 5 qualified Filipino, pursuant to Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. To give full force and effect to this constitutional mandate, the State adopts a policy of regulating and prohibiting political dynasties, as defined under this Act, in a manner 8 that promotes fair electoral competition, prevents undue concentration of political power within families, and strengthens democratic accountability, consistent with due process and other constitutional rights.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms - For the purposes of this Act, the following

definitions shall be used: (a) Political dynasty refers to the concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of political power by spouses or relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, who run for, are elected to, hold, succeed to, or exercise elective public office at the national or local level.

(b) Second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity refers to a relationship determined in accordance with the New Civil Code of the Philippines, where consanguinity is the relationship by blood, whether legitimate or illegitimate, including relationships of the full or half blood, between persons separated by not more than two (2) civil degrees, and affinity is the relationship arising from marriage between a person and the blood relatives of his or her spouse within the same second civil degree. This includes relationships between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, whether of the full or half blood, and the spouse of such persons, as determined in accordance with civil law. For purposes of this Act, relationships created by legal adoption shall be deemed relationships by consanguinity within the same civil degree as provided under applicable civil laws. (c) Political dynasty relationship exists when: 1. Succession or Simultaneous Candidacy Involving an Incumbent. — the spouse or any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent elective public official runs for public office to succeed or replace the incumbent, or runs for, is elected to, or holds any elective public office simultaneously with the incumbent; 2. Cross-Level or Nationwide Simultaneous Candidacy or Holding of Office. - an elective public official holding a national elective office, including party-list representation, has a spouse or relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity who runs for, is elected to, or holds any national or local elective office, whether through regular election, substitution, or succession by operation of law, in any part of the country; or 3. Simultaneous Candidacy of Related Persons Without an Incumbent. - two (2) or more persons, who are spouses or relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, simultaneously run for elective public office, whether

national or local, even if neither is related to an incumbent elective public official. (d) Spouse refers to a legally married husband or wife, including a spouse in a marriage that has been annulled or declared void, or whose foreign divorce has been judicially recognized under Philippine law, prior to the filing of the certificate of candidacy. (e) Relative refers to a person related by consanguinity or affinity within the second civil degree, whether by full blood, half-blood, or adoption, as determined in accordance with civil law. (f) Incumbent Elective Public Officia/ refers to a person who, at the time of the filing of a certificate of candidacy or at any time during the election period, holds an elective public office by virtue of election or succession by operation of law, whether national or local. (g) Elective Public Office refers to any public office filled by election, whether national or local, including offices filled through the party-list system, and such other elective offices as may be created by law. (h) National Elective Office refers to the offices of President, Vice-President, Senator, and Member of the House of Representatives elected through the party-list system, and such other national elective offices as may be created by law. (i) Local Elective Office refers to the offices of Members of the House of Representatives elected by legislative district, and all elective officials of provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays, as provided under the Local Government Code. (i) Party-List Representation refers to the election of Members of the House of Representatives through the party-list system pursuant to Article VI of the 1987 Constitution and applicable laws. (k) Running for an Elective Public Office shall be deemed to commence upon the filing of a certificate of candidacy with the COMELEC, and shall continue until the candidate is defeated, withdraws with finality, or is disqualified with finality.

(1) Holding an Elective Public Office shall be deemed to commence upon proclamation, oath-taking, and assumption of the powers and functions of the office, and shall include assumption of office by operation of law through succession, but shall not include appointive positions. (m) Simultaneous Candidacy refers to the situation where two or more persons covered by a political dynasty relationship file certificates of candidacy within the same election period, regardless of the date or sequence of filing. (n) Simultaneous Holding of Elective Public Office refers to the situation where two or more persons covered by a political dynasty relationship exercise the powers and functions of elective public offices during the same term or overlapping portions thereof, whether by election or succession. (o) Succession by Operation of Law refers to the assumption of an elective public office without election, in accordance with the Constitution or applicable laws, due to permanent vacancy, temporary incapacity, or other causes provided by law. (p) Election Period refers to the period fixed by the COMELEC pursuant to law, during which election-related acts are regulated. (q) Election offense refers to any act or omission declared punishable under this Act or under the Omnibus Election Code. (r) Misrepresentation refers to the act of making a false statement or withholding a material fact in any document or declaration required under this Act. (s) Certificate of Candidacy refers to the sworn document filed by a person with the COMELEC declaring his or her intention to run for an elective public office, in accordance with the Omnibus Election Code and applicable rules. (t) Substitution refers to the act of replacing a candidate who has withdrawn, died, or has been disqualified, in accordance with the Omnibus Election Code and the rules of the COMELEC.

(u) Proclamation refers to the official declaration by the COMELEC or its duly authorized boards that a candidate has won an elective public office. (v) Overlapping terms refer to any period, whether in whole or in part, during which two or more persons covered by a political dynasty S relationship simultaneously exercise the powers and functions of elective public offices, regardless of the manner of assumption. (w) Finality refers to the point at which a decision, resolution, withdrawal, or disqualification is no longer subject to appeal or reconsideration under applicable election laws and rules. (x) Term limits shall refer to the maximum number of terms for elective public officials as provided for in the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code of 1991, as applicable.

Sec. 4. Prohibited Candidacy and Disqualification. - No person shall be allowed

to run for, be elected to, or hold any elective public office if the filing of his or her certificate of candidacy, election, proclamation, or assumption of office would result in the existence of a political dynasty relationship, as defined in Section 3 of this Act. The spouse or any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent elective public official shall be disqualified from running for public office to succeed or replace the incumbent, or from running for, being elected to, or holding any elective public office simultaneously with the incumbent, whether at the national or local level. Where an elective public official holds a national elective office, including party- list representation, the spouse or any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall be disqualified from running for, being elected to, or holding any national or local elective public office, whether through regular election, substitution, or succession by operation of law, in any part of the country, during the term of the incumbent. Two (2) or more persons who are spouses or relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall not be allowed to simultaneously run for elective public office in the same election period, whether national or local, even if neither is related to an incumbent elective public official.

The disqualification under this section shall attach upon the filing of the 2 certificate of candidacy, and shall subsist through election, proclamation, and 3 assumption of office, unless lifted by a final determination of the COMELEC or the 4 proper electoral tribunal. The prohibitions under this section shall apply regardless of resignation, 6 withdrawal, substitution of candidates, succession by operation of law, change in 7 timing of the filing of certificates of candidacy, or any other act intended to evade or 8 defeat the purposes of this Act. Nothing in this section shall be construed to disqualify incumbents solely by 10 reason of an existing political dynasty relationship prior to the effectivity of this Act; Provided, That no new political dynasty relationship shall be created, continued, or expanded through the assumption of a new elective office by a spouse or relative after such effectivity. For the avoidance of doubt and to guide implementation, the following table enumerates prohibited political dynasty relationships under this Act. The enumeration is illustrative and without prejudice to other situations that fall within the definitions and prohibitions herein. Elective Prohibited Act or No. Degree and Factual Nature of Configuration Offices Condition Relationship Involved Prohibited Spouses One spouse is an Same incumbent; the other elective succession seeks to succeed office Spouses One spouse is an Any Prohibited elective simultaneous incumbent; the other seeks election during public candidacy or the same term office holding of office Parent and child Parent is an Same or Prohibited (including adoptive incumbent; child different succession parent and seeks to succeed elective office adopted child)

Parent and child Parent is an Any Prohibited (including adoptive incumbent; child elective simultaneous parent and seeks election during public candidacy or the same term office adopted child) holding of office Grandparent and One is an incumbent; Any Prohibited grandchild the other seeks elective simultaneous election during the public candidacy or same term office holding of office Brothers or sisters One sibling is an Any Prohibited (whether of the full elective simultaneous incumbent; the other or half blood) seeks election public candidacy or office holding of office Incumbent holds a National Prohibited cross- Spouses national elective and local level candidacy or office; spouse seeks elective holding of office election offices Parent and child Incumbent holds a National or Prohibited cross- (including adoptive national elective local level candidacy or parent and elective holding of office office; child seeks adopted child) election office Brothers or sisters Incumbent holds a National or Prohibited cross- (whether of the full national elective local level candidacy or or half blood) office; sibling seeks elective holding of office election office Grandparent and Incumbent holds a National or Prohibited cross- grandchild national elective local level candidacy or office; relative seeks elective holding of office election office Spouses Both file certificates Any Prohibited of candidacy in the elective simultaneous public candidacy same election period office Parent and child Both file certificates Any Prohibited (including adoptive of candidacy in the elective simultaneous parent and same election period public candidacy adopted child) office Brothers or sisters Both file certificates Prohibited Any (whether of the full of candidacy in the elective simultaneous or half blood) same election period public candidacy office Both file certificates Prohibited Grandparent and Any grandchild of candidacy in the elective simultaneous same election period public candidacy office

Incumbent resigns Any Prohibited Any covered relationship prior to filing to avoid elective circumvention prohibition public office Any covered Withdrawal and Any Prohibited relationship substitution among elective circumvention relatives public office Succession by Any Prohibited Any covered relationship operation of law elective circumvention results in overlap public office Manipulation of filing Any Prohibited Any covered relationship dates to evade elective circumvention simultaneity public office Any covered Use of party-list Party-list Prohibited relationship representation to and any circumvention elective bypass prohibition office Any covered Creation or Any Prohibited post- relationship expansion of a elective effectivity political dynasty after public expansion effectivity office

Sec. 5. Rules on Filing, Priority, and Resolution of Conflicts. - Any candidate

2 who is a spouse or relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity 3 of another candidate or incumbent elective public official shall disclose such relationship in the certificate of candidacy, in the form and manner prescribed by the 5 COMELEC. Where two (2) or more candidates who are spouses or relatives within the 7 second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity file certificates of candidacy in the same election period and the filing would give rise to a political dynasty relationship, they may submit to the COMELEC, simultaneously with the filing of their certificates of candidacy or within the period prescribed by the Commission, a written and sworn agreement designating which among them shall proceed with the candidacy. The agreement shall be final and binding upon the parties. In the absence of a valid sworn agreement under the preceding subsection, the 14 certificate of candidacy first filed in time shall be given due course, and all subsequent 15 certificates of candidacy filed by other spouses or relatives within the second civil

1 degree of consanguinity or affinity that would result in a political dynasty relationship 2 shall be denied due course or cancelled, as the case may be. Where two (2) or more candidates who are spouses or relatives within the prohibited degree file certificates of candidacy simultaneously or within such period 5 that renders the determination of priority impracticable, and no valid sworn agreement has been submitted pursuant to this section, the Commission on Elections shall, after 7 due notice to all affected candidates and the recording of such fact, proceed to the 8 drawing of lots in a public proceeding conducted in accordance with its rules. The candidate favored by lot shall be given due course to the certificate of candidacy, and all other certificates of candidacy that would give rise to a political dynasty relationship shall be denied due course or cancelled, as the case may be. The Commission on Elections shall issue the appropriate resolution and certification reflecting the result thereof.

Sec. 6. Authority of the COMELEC. - The COMELEC shall have the authority,

motu proprio or upon verified petition, to determine the existence of a political dynasty relationship, to resolve conflicts arising from multiple filings by related candidates, and to deny due course to or cancel certificates of candidacy in accordance with this Act.

Sec. 7. Prohibition on Circumvention and Post-Filing Manipulation. - No

resignation, withdrawal, substitution of candidates, alteration of filing dates, or other act or device undertaken after the filing of certificates of candidacy shall be recognized if such act or device has the purpose or effect of evading or defeating the prohibitions of this Act.

Sec. 8. Effect of Determination. - Any determination by the COMELEC under

this Act shall take effect immediately upon receipt by the parties, subject to the remedies and periods provided under applicable election laws and rules.

Sec 9. Prohibition on Circumvention and Evasive Acts. - In determining

compliance with this Act, the COMELEC and the proper electoral tribunals shall be guided by the substance and effect of acts, rather than their form, timing, or denomination. The prohibitions under this Act shall apply notwithstanding, and shall not be defeated by, any of the following acts or devices, whether undertaken singly or in combination:

1. Resignation or cessation from office by an incumbent elective public official, whether before or after the filing of a certificate of candidacy, for the purpose of avoiding the application of this Act; 2. Withdrawal of candidacy, substitution of candidates, or transfer of candidacy among spouses or relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, where such acts have the purpose or effect of rotating, preserving, or consolidating political control within the same family; 3. Delayed, staggered, or coordinated filing of certificates of candidacy, or any manipulation of filing dates or election timelines, intended to avoid the characterization of simultaneous candidacy or holding of elective public office; 4. Succession by operation of law, including assumption of office due to vacancy, incapacity, or other causes provided by law, where such succession resuits in the creation, continuation, or expansion of a political dynasty relationship prohibited under this Act; and 5. Any other scheme, device, or arrangement, whether formal or informal, that has the purpose or effect of evading, circumventing, or defeating the prohibitions and policy objectives of this Act. Any act, agreement, or arrangement undertaken in violation of this section shall be void and without legal effect for purposes of determining eligibility, qualification, or entitlement to elective public office under this Act. In proceedings under this Act, the COMELEC may consider the totality of circumstances, including the sequence of acts and the relationship of the parties, in determining whether an act constitutes circumvention.

Sec. 10. Disclosure and Transparency Requirements. - Every candidate for an

elective public office shall disclose, in a sworn declaration, the existence of any spouse or relative, whether by full blood, half-blood, or adoption, within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity who is: 1. an incumbent elective public official; or 2. a candidate for any elective public office in the same election period.

The sworn declaration required under this section shall be executed under oath, 2 attached to and filed simultaneously with the certificate of candidacy, and made in the 3 form and manner prescribed by the COMELEC. A candidate shall have a continuing duty to update the disclosure required 5 under this section within the period and in the manner prescribed by the COMELEC, 6 whenever facts arise that may give rise to a political dynasty relationship under this 7 Act. Disclosures made pursuant to this section shall form part of the official records 9 of the COMELEC and may be used for purposes of verification, investigation, and 10 adjudication under this Act, subject to applicable laws and rules.

Sec. 11. Effect of Non-Disclosure or Misrepresentation. - Any false statement,

omission, or concealment of a material fact in the sworn declaration required under this Act shall constitute misrepresentation and shall be a ground for the denial of due course to or cancellation of the certificate of candidacy, without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges for election offenses in accordance with applicable laws.

Sec. 12. Powers and Duties of the COMELEC. - For purposes of implementing

and enforcing this Act, the COMELEC shall have the following powers and duties: a. Exercise primary authority and exclusive original jurisdiction over the implementation and enforcement of this Act, including all matters arising from the filing, evaluation, and disposition of certificates of candidacy involving alleged political dynasty relationships. b. Act motu proprio or upon verified petition to determine the existence of a political dynasty relationship and, after due notice and hearing, deny due course to or cancel certificates of candidacy in accordance with this Act and applicable election laws and rules. c. Conduct investigations, receive evidence, require the submission of sworn statements, documents, certifications, or other relevant records, and summon persons to appear and testify, subject to due process requirements. d. Require candidates to submit additional disclosures, clarificatory statements, or supporting documents necessary to verify compliance

with this Act, including proof of relationship, incumbency status, filing dates, and succession events. e. Coordinate with and request assistance from other government agencies, including but not limited to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Department of Justice, the Civil Registrar General, local civil registrars, and other relevant offices, for purposes of verifying civil status, familial relationships, and other material facts necessary for the enforcement of this Act, subject to applicable laws and rules. f. Promulgate such rules, resolutions, and guidelines as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, consistent with the Constitution and existing election laws.

Sec. 13. Summary Proceedings. - Any petition to deny due course to or cancel

a certificate of candidacy, or to otherwise enforce the prohibitions under this Act, shall be filed with the COMELEC not later than twenty-five (25) days from the filing of the certificate of candidacy, unless otherwise provided by law or the rules of the Commission. All proceedings under this Act shall be summary in nature. The COMELEC shall resolve petitions after due notice and hearing, based on the pleadings, affidavits, documentary evidence, and such other evidence as it may deem necessary, without being bound by technical rules of procedure. The COMELEC shall decide all petitions under this Act not later than fifteen (15) days before election day, whenever practicable. In all cases, the Commission shall give priority to proceedings under this Act to ensure their expeditious disposition. Where a petition under this Act remains unresolved at the time of canvassing, the votes cast for the respondent shall be included in the canvass. However, no proclamation shall be made if the COMELEC determines that there is prima facie evidence of a violation of this Act, until the petition is finally resolved. Decisions of the COMELEC under this Act shall be rendered by a Division in the first instance and may be elevated to the Commission en banc in accordance with existing laws and rules. Decisions of the COMELEC en banc under this Act shall be executory after five (5) days from receipt by the parties, unless restrained by the Supreme Court.

Sec. 14. Post-Proclamation Remedies. - Notwithstanding proclamation or

assumption of office, any qualified voter, candidate, or the COMELEC may challenge 3 the eligibility of an elected official on the ground of a violation of this Act by filing a petition for quo warranto, in accordance with existing laws and rules. Petitions for quo warranto under this Act shall be filed with the following bodies, as may be appropriate: 1. COMELEC - for elective local officials and party-list representatives, consistent with existing laws and jurisprudence; 2. House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) - for Members of the House of Representatives elected by legislative district; 3. Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) - for Senators of the Philippines; and 4. Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET) - for the President and Vice- President of the Philippines. A petition for quo warranto under this Act shall be filed within ten (10) days from proclamation of the respondent, unless a different period is provided under existing laws or rules governing the proper electoral tribunal. A final and executory judgment finding a violation of this Act shall result in the ouster of the respondent from office, forfeiture of all rights and privileges appurtenant thereto, and the assumption of office by the qualified successor, in accordance with law. The pendency or resolution of a quo warranto petition under this section shall be without prejudice to the filing of criminal, administrative, or other appropriate actions arising from the same acts.

Sec. 15. Penalties and Election Offenses. - Any violation of this Act shall

constitute an election offense and shall be punished in accordance with the applicable provisions of Batas Pambansa Blg. 881, otherwise known as the Omnibus Election Code, unless a higher penalty is provided by law. The following acts shall be punishable as election offenses under this Act: 1. Running for, being elected to, or holding an elective public office in violation of the prohibitions against political dynasty relationships under this Act;

2. Misrepresentation, non-disclosure, or concealment of a material fact in any sworn declaration, document, or certification required under this Act, including those attached to the certificate of candidacy; 3. Participation in or facilitation of circumvention or evasive acts, including resignation, withdrawal, substitution, delayed filing, or succession by operation of law, undertaken for the purpose or with the effect of defeating the prohibitions of this Act; and 4. Aiding, abetting, or conspiring to commit any act declared unlawful under this Act.

Sec. 16. Persons Liable. - Liability under this Act shall attach to:

1. the candidate or elective public official who commits, participates in, or benefits from any act prohibited under this Act; and 2. any person who knowingly causes, assists, induces, or participates in the commission of any act declared unlawful under this Act.

Sec. 17. Accessory Penalties.- In addition to the penalties provided under the

Omnibus Election Code, any person found guilty of an election offense under this Act shall be subject to the following accessory penalties, as may be applicable: 1. Disqualification from holding any elective public office for a period not exceeding the maximum allowed by law; and 2. Forfeiture of the elective office, where applicable, without prejudice to the rights of qualified successors in accordance with existing laws.

Sec. 18. Good Faith Exception. - No criminal liability shall attach for clerical,

typographical, or good-faith errors in any disclosure, declaration, or document required under this Act, provided that such errors are voluntarily corrected within the period and in the manner prescribed by the COMELEC, and absent intent to mislead or conceal a material fact.

Sec. 19. Applicability and Transition. - This Act shall apply to the next elections

following its effectivity and to all subsequent elections thereafter, in a manner consistent with the constitutional rights of suffrage and the qualifications and terms of elective public office. Political dynasty relationships existing prior to the effectivity of this Act shall not, by reason alone of such relationship, result in the disqualification of the incumbents involved. Such incumbents may continue to run for and hold the

same elective offices they currently occupy, subject to the term limits prescribed by the Constitution and existing laws. Provided, That after the effectivity of this Act, no political dynasty relationship shall be created, expanded, or extended, whether by 4 election, substitution, or succession by operation of law, through the assumption of 5 any elective public office by a spouse or relative within the prohibited degree who was 6 not already holding such elective office at the time of effectivity.

Sec. 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days from

& the effectivity of this Act, the COMELEC shall promulgate the implementing rules and 9 regulations (IRR) necessary for the effective implementation of this Act. In the formulation of the IRR, the COMELEC shall conduct public consultations 11 with relevant government agencies, political parties, civil society organizations, and 12 other stakeholders. The implementing rules and regulations shall not diminish, restrict, or expand the scope, coverage, or application of the provisions of this Act, and shall be strictly consistent with its letter and intent.

Sec. 21. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 22. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 23. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, as provided by law. Approved,