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

Fifteenth Congress

Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6660

Introduced by: Hon, MARY MITZI “MITCH”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article I, Section 26 of the Constitution dectares, as a matter of principle and policy. that “The
State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as
may be defined by law.”

Said constitutional imperative is significant as the perpetuation of political dynasties can
undermine the quality of democracy and economic development. This grotesque political phenomenon
in the country bas in fact engendered inequality, which tend ta further the vicious cycle of poverty of our
people.

Many scholars believe that political dynasties can lead to extreme personalism in the exercise of
power that may undermine the existence of a strong state and the implementation of wide ranging public
policies that are beneficial to all people.

More than two decades after the unanimous ratification of the 1987 Constitution, Congress has
failed to pass a legislation that would define political dynasties and ultimately give force and effect to
the principle and policy that was gloriously enunciated by the Constitution.

Hence, this proposal seeks to end the dynastic nature of polities in the country with the end view
of broadening political participation and strengthening the country’s political system.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

AM pnetagugr

MARY MITZI “Mitch” L. CAJAYON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.___ 6660

Introduced by: Hon, MARY MITZI “MITCH” L, CAJAYON:

AN ACT
TO PROHIBIT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLITICAL DYNASTIES

Re it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION }. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as “The Anti-Political Dynasty Act.”

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

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -The following terms, as used in this Act, shail mean:

(a) "Political Dynasty" - shall refer to the concentration, consolidation or perpetuation of public office
and political power by persons related to one another.

(b) "Spouse" - shall refer to the legal and common-law wife or husband of the incumbent elective
official.

(c) "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

(d) "Running for an Elective Office” - shall be deemed to commence upon the filing of the certificate of
candidacy by a candidate with the Commissions on Elections.

(e) "Holding an Elective Office” - shall be deemed to commence from the moment the public official
takes his oath of office.

(f) "COMELEC" - shall refer to the Commission on Elections,

SEC. 4, 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
shall be allowed to hold os run for any elective office in the same province in the same election

In case the incumbent elective official is the President of the Philippines or the Vice-President, the
above persons shall be disqualified from running in any elective public office.

In case the incumbent elective official is a Senator, Member of the House of Representatives or local
elective official, the above persons shall be disqualified from running in any national elective public
office and any local elective public office within the same province where the former is a registered
voter.

In case of party list system, the above persons shall be probibited 1o become a nominee of any party list
organization


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 ot running simuhaneously for any oational
elective public office or local elective public office within the same province in the same election.

In all cases, no person within the prohibited civit degree of relationship to the incumbent shail
simultancously: serve with or immediately succeed to the position of the latter. Provided, however, that
this section shal! not apply to Punong Barangays or members of the Sangguniang Barangay.

SEC. 5. Effect of Violation of Prohibition. - The COMELEC shall motu proprio or upon a verified
petition of any interested party deny due course to any certificate of candidacy filed in violation of this
Act.

SEC. 6. Period for Filing Petition for Disqualifeation. - 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 4 of this Act

SEC. 7. Summary Proceedings. - The petition shall be heard and decided summarily by the COMELEC,
after due notice and hearing, and its decision shall be executed afler the lapse of five (5) days from
receipt thereof by the losing party,

SEC. 8. Fffect of Petition of 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 the disqualified candidate has been proclaimed, he or she shall ipso facto forfeit his right to the
office.

SEC. 9. Rules and Regulations. - The COMELEC shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the
implementation of the provisions of this Act

SEC. 10. Repeating Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter of
instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, of inconsistent with, the provisions of
this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. - if any provision or past hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,