Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

110

House Bill No.

Introduced by REP. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution states that "The State shall guarantee equal
access to public service and prohibit political dynasty as defined by law.”

In a study conducted by the Asian Institute of Management Policy Center in 2009, the
estimated prevalence of dynasties in the country across key local government positions and
found the same to be most widespread among certain positions especially governors (85%),
vice-governors (75%), district representatives (74%) outside of the National Capital Region,
and mayors (66%) and vice-mayors (50%) outside of NCR. In the same study, political
dynasties are pervasive in the ten (10) poorest provinces that are afflicted by low levels of
human development, bad governance, violence and poor business climates. Dynasties have
also been observed to weaken the checks and balances in government as well as the
competition in the political system resulting in less access for alternative leaders and youth
leaders to be part of the political system.

This proposed measure provides for a clear and categorical definition of political dynasty
and political dynasty relationships, and the prohibition thereof, thereby giving force and effect
to the anti-dynasty provisions of the 1987 Constituion.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly sought.


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. ae 110).

Introduced by REP. LAWRENCE LEMUEL H. FORTUN

AN ACT
DEFINING POLITICAL DYNASTY AND PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT THEREOF

6e 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 Act of
2019.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
guarantee equal access and opportunity to public office and service to the public. Towards this
end, it is likewise declared the policy of the State to prohibit political dynasties as defined in
Section 3 of this Act.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — The following terms, as used herein, shall mean:

a. “Political Dynasty” refers to 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 province, or occupies the same office immediately
after the term of office of the incumbent elective official. It 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 province,
even if neither is so related to an incumbent elective official. In case the constituency of the


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incumbent elective official is national in character, the above relatives shall be disqualified from
running in any other national elective office.

C. “Spouse” shall refer to the legal or common law wife or husband of the incumbent elective
official.

d. “Second Civil Degree of Consanguinity or Affinity” shall refer to the relatives of a person
who may be the latter's brother or sister, whether of full or half-blood, direct ascendant or
direct descendant, whether legitimate, illegitimate or adopted, including their spouses.

e. “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).

f. “Holding an Elective Office” shall be deemed to commence from the moment the public
official takes his or her oath of office.

SECTION 5. Persons Covered; Prohibited Candidates. - No spouse, or person related
within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether legitimate or illegitimate, to an
incumbent elective official seeking reelection 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 within the same Province where the former is
@ registered voter, as well as to any other national elective positions.

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 disqualified from holding or running
for any local elective office within the same province in the same election. This shall also apply
when the said candidates are holding or running for national elective positions in the same
election. This is without prejudice to the proper determination by the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) on nuisance candidates.

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, that this section shall
not apply to Punong Barangays or members of the Sangguniang Barangay.

SECTION 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 statement with the
COMELEC that he or she does not have a political dynasty relationship with an incumbent


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elective official running for an elective public office either in the same province other than that
of the position earlier mentioned or in any other national elective office.

SECTION 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 candidacy filed in
violation of this Act.

SECTION 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 of
this Act.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 11. Applicability. — This Act shall be applicable to the next election and to all
‘subsequent elections to be held thereafter.

SECTION 11. Rules and Regulations.- The COMELEC shall promulgate the rules and
regulation for the implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. - Any law, Presidential Decree or issuance, Executive
Order, Letter of Instruction, Administrative Order, Rule or Regulation contrary to, or
inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.


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SECTION 14. Effectivity Clause.- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Approved,