TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) First Regular SesH LINES S First Regular Session 2'9 P2:49 SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT DEFINING AND PROHIBITING POLITICAL DYNASTIES, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Political dynasties, deeply rooted in the country's history of wealth concentration, remain a defining and intensifying feature of the Philippine political landscape. Securing public office increasingly requires substantial personal wealth, effectively limiting viable candidates to those from established political and elite families. This trend has significantly strengthened over the past two decades. 1 The May 2025 Philippine elections definitely underscored this persistent dynastic stronghold, largely reinforcing their dominance across all levels of governance. While isolated challenges occurred, they did not signify a broad systemic shift. Post-election analysis by PCIJ reveals that: (1) an estimated 87% (71 out of 82) of provincial governors are members of political families; (2) 8 out of 10 district representatives belong to dynastic families. This continues a trend where dynastic representation in the House rose to 67% from 48% in 2004; (3) Dynastic presence in mayoral posts increased to 53% from 40%.; (4) At least 18 "obese dynasties" (those with 5 or more elected relatives) secured multiple seats; (5) A striking 4.5% (800 out I Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), "Zero In: Dynasties Plague Philippine Elections," Published on May 8, 2025. Available at https://www.pids.gov.ph/details/news/in-the-news/zero-in-dynasties-plaque-2025-philippine-elections. Accessed on July 5, 2025. 2 Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), "How Philippine regions voted: Dynasties prevail but there are glimpses of pushback. Published on May 19, 2025. Available at https://pcij.org/2025/05/19/how-philippine-regions-voted-few-victories- versus-dynasties-but-reform-hopes-rise-for-2028-presidential-campaian/. Accessed on July 5, 2025.
of 18,000) of contested positions featured unchallenged candidates from powerful political clans, highlighting significant barriers to entry for non-dynastic participants; (6) The Senate remains heavily influenced by dynastic figures, with several family tandems retaining or gaining seats.3 This dynastic prevalence is strongly linked to poverty and underdevelopment, particularly in the ten poorest provinces. Beyond this, dynasties undermine democratic processes by weakening checks and balances, stifling political competition, and perpetuating "personality-based politics" leading to a less democratic system over time.5 The 1987 Philippine Constitution explicitly mandates the prohibition of political dynasties (Article II, Sec.26). However, for more than three decades, Congress, largely composed of dynastic members, has failed to enact the necessary enabling law. Therefore, this measure seeks to finally define and prohibit political dynasties as mandated by the Constitution. It aims to level the playing field for all citizens, promote inclusivity and reinvigorate the democratic process, ensuring that leadership genuinely reflects the will of the many, rather than the privilege of a few. The immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. FRANCIS N. RANGILINAN Senator SPCI], "How Philippine regions voted: Dynasties prevail but there are glimpses of pushback". Published on May 19, 2025. Available at elections/. (Accessed on July 5, 2025). 4 Albert, Mendoza, et al., "Regulating Political Dynasties Toward a More Inclusive Society." PIDS Policy Notes, No. 2015-14. Published on March 16, 2016. Available at https://www.pids.gov.ph/publication/policy-notes/requlating-political-dynasties; toward-a-more-inclusive-society. Accessed on July 7, 2025. 5 International Observer Mission (IOM) on the 2025 Elections, "Zero In: Dynasties Plague 2025 Philippine Elections." Available at https://ichrp.net/zero-in-dynasties-plaque-2025-philippine-elections/. (Accessed on July 5, 2025).
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JJ. -9 17.49 SENATE S. No. _ Introduced by Senator FRANCIS N. PANGILINAN AN ACT DEFINING AND PROHIBITING POLITICAL DYNASTIES, PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 "Anti-Political Dynasty
2 Act of 2025."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy, - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
4 guarantee and provide equal access to opportunities for public office and public service 5 to any qualified Filipino, pursuant to Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. 6 Towards this end, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to prohibit political 7 dynasties as hereinafter defined.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following definitions
9 shall be used: (a) National office shall refer to the Presidency, the Vice-Presidency, the Senate 11 of the Philippines, or the House of Representatives; (b) Political dynasty shall refer to the concentration, consolidation and/or 13 perpetuation of public office and political powers by persons related to one another within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity; (c) Political dynasty relationship shall exist when the spouse or any relative 16 within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent elective official, 17 runs for public office to succeed or replace the incumbent, or runs for or holds any 18 elective local office simultaneously with the incumbent within the same province,
1 legislative district, city, or municipality, and within the same barangay or barangays 2 within the same legisiative district. The relationship also exists if the incumbent is a national elective official, including incumbents in the party-list system, and the spouse or relatives within the 5 second degree of consanguinity or affinity run for any position in the national level or 6 in the local level as barangay captain, mayor, governor, or district representative in 7 any part of the country. It shall also be deemed to exist where two (2) or more persons who are spouses, or are related to one another within the second degree of consanguinity or 10 affinity run simultaneously for elective public office at the national level, or at the local level within the same province, legislative district, city, or municipality, and within the 12 same barangay or barangays within the same legislative district, even if neither is so related to an incumbent elective official. (d) Spouse shall refer to the legal or common-law wife or husband of an 15 incumbent official; (e) Second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall refer to the relatives 17 of a person who may be the latter's brother or sister, whether of full or half-blood, 18 direct ascendant or direct descendant, whether legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted, including their spouses; and (f) Running for an elective office shall be deemed to commence upon the filing 21 of the Certificate of Candidacy by a candidate with the Commission on Elections 22 (COMELEC).
Sec. 4. Applicability. - This Act shall govern and be applicable to the next
elections and all subsequent elections thereafter.
Sec. 5. Prohibited Candidates; Scenarios Covered. -
(a) Any person with a political dynasty relationship, as defined in Section 3 of this Act, with any incumbent elective official, shall not be allowed to run for or hold public office in any of the following manner: i. To immediately succeed or replace the said incumbent; ii. If the incumbent is an elective barangay official, the spouse and the above relatives are prohibited to run simultaneously for any position in
the same barangay as well as in all the barangays in municipalities or cities within the same legislative district; iii. If the incumbent is an elective official of the municipality, city, legislative district, or province, the spouse and above relatives are prohibited to run for or hold any elective local office simultaneously with the incumbent within the same barangay, municipality, city, legislative district, or province; iv. If the incumbent is a national elective official, the spouse and the above relatives are likewise prohibited to run simultaneously for any position in the national or local level as barangay captain, mayor, governor, or district representative in any part of the country; and v. If the incumbent is a barangay captain, mayor, governor, or district representative, the spouse and the above relatives are also prohibited to run simultaneously for any position in the national level. (b) Persons who are not holding any public office shall likewise be prohibited from running in the same election if their election will result in a political dynasty relationship, as defined in Section 3 above: Provided, That if persons within the same prohibitive degree shall file for candidacy, the said persons shall be notified by the COMELEC that only one of them shall be allowed to file, and within five (5) days from receipt of the notice, said persons shall file a joint manifestation to the COMELEC indicating the name of the candidate who shall pursue his or her candidacy and the position desired, otherwise all applications shall be deemed not filed. A person is deemed to be holding an elective office from the moment the public 25 official takes his oath of office.
Sec. 6. Statement with the Commission on Elections. - Any person running for
27 an elective public office shall file a sworn statement with the COMELEC that he or she 28 does not have a political dynasty relationship prohibited under this Act.
Sec. 7. Denial Motu Proprio by the COMELEC/Petition to Deny Due Course and/or
30 Cancel Certificate of Candidacy. - The COMELEC, motu proprio, may suspend giving due course to the application for a certificate of candidacy of any candidate if it becomes apparent from the documents filed that a violation of Section 5 of this Act
1 may have been committed. If, upon investigation by the COMELEC, there is substantial 2 evidence to establish a violation of Section 5 of this Act, the COMELEC shall deny due 3 course to said application for a certificate of candidacy. A verified petition seeking to deny due course or to cancel a certificate of 5 candidacy may be filed by any person for violation of this Act.
Sec. 8. Summary Proceedings. - The petition may be filed at any time not later
7 than twenty-five (25) days from the time of the filing of the certificate of candidacy 8 and shall be decided, after due notice and hearing, not less than fifteen (15) days before the election. The petition shall be heard and decided summarily by the 10 COMELEC, after due notice and hearing, and the decision shall be executed after the lapse of five (5) days from receipt thereof by the losing party. If the petition, for reasons beyond the control of the COMELEC, cannot be 13 decided before the completion of the canvass, the votes cast for the respondent shall be included in the counting and canvassing: Provided, That in cases where a 15 disqualified candidate has been proclaimed, he or she shall forfeit his or her right to 16 the office upon the decision of the COMELEC, as the case may be.
Sec. 9. Petition for Quo Warranto. - A voter contesting the election of any
18 candidate on the grounds of violation of this Act shall file a sworn petition for quo warranto with the COMELEC or House Electoral Tribunal, Senate Electoral Tribunal, or Presidential Electoral Tribunal, as the case may be, within ten (10) days after the 21 proclamation of the results of the election.
Sec. 10. Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall promulgate all the rules
23 and regulations necessary for the full implementation of this Act.
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
25 unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
28 and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended 29 accordingly.
Sec. 13. 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. Approved,