SEVENTEEN Til CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHIEIPPINES
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S B No. JJL57
Introduced by Senator Poe
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AN ACT
DEFINING AND PROHIBITING POLITICAL DYNAS TIES, 
PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Explanatory Note
There is a wealth of academic research and a whole collection of extensive articles 
that have been written on the evils of political dynasties. In a previous study, 70 percent of 
the 15th Philippine Congress is considered dynastic. Eighty percent of the youngest 
congressmen (age 26-40) are from dynastic clans.1 Dynasties dominate all of the major 
political parties. According to a recent study by the Asian Institute of Management:2
Over-all the emerging evidence suggests that political dynasties still appear 
entrenched, notwithstanding the emergence of strong advocacies against 
dynastic clans While efforts to curb the “demand” for dynasties (through 
strong advocacy and information campaigns targeted at voters) were initiated, 
little seems to have changed in terms of a stronger “supply” of alternative 
leaders. The present political parties have not yet been able to address the 
latter; and part of the challenge lies in the strong role that dynasties already 
play in the more established parties. This lends credence to the view that new 
political parties could play a key role in developing clear alternatives to the 
political dynasties and their traditional politics.
The Constitution provides that the “State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities 
for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.”3 Many have 
called on Congress to fulfill its obligation to pass an anti-dynasty law. However, twenty- 
seven years since its ratification of the Constitution, there has been no law passed to breathe 
life to this Constitutionally enshrined duty of the State.4
1 Mendoza, Beja, Venida and Yap. 2012. Inequality in democracy: Insights from an empirical analysis of 
political dynasties in the 15th Philippine Congress. Philippine Political Science Journal 33(2): 132-145.
2 Mendoza, Lopez, Yap, Canare. 2013. The 2013 Philippine Mid-Term Election: An Empirical Analysis 
of Dynasties, Vote Buying and the Correlates of Senate Vote.
3 Philippine Constitution, art. II § 26.
4 This bill builds upon the position of the Anti-Dynasty Movement, a campaign network of individuals 
and groups from various sectors advocating for the passage of an Anti-Political Dy nasty Law. This network 
includes Ang Kapatiran Party (Alliance for the Common Good), Aksyong Kabayanihan Para sa Organisadong


Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution provides that the Philippines is a democratic 
and republican state. This declaration notwitlistanding, there is a great need to ensure that 
ours is a democracy that is inclusive rather than one beyond the reach of most; and 
representative of all, rather than representative of a few. Mindful of the undue advantage 
available to an incumbent official by virtue of the resources available to and power of his or 
her public office and the term limits imposed by the Constitution and other relevant laws, this 
bill aims to put an end to the practice of political dynasties of unfairly perpetuating their hold 
on power and elective positions.
On average, there are more dynasties in regions with higher incidents of poverty, 
lower human development and more severe deprivation5 with provinces run by political clans 
tending to be laggards in meeting the Millennium Development Goals.6 While there might be 
so-called “good” individuals who belong to dynasties, the institution and phenomenon of 
political dynasties can never be good for a democratic republic. The true trait of a good leader 
is one who is able to empower and inspire others to take the cudgels in leading. No ‘DNA’ 
formula can ever guarantee sustainable reforms in a region as compared to institutional and 
cultural reform. Ihis hill makes no distinction between the so-called "good" and "had" 
political dynasties.
One of the main reasons why political dynasties are not good for democracy and 
inimical to social justice is that it consolidates both political and economic power in the 
hands of a few. This is manifested by those belonging to the same family who run for public 
office one after die other (succession) as well as those who run to occupy more than one 
posiuon (power tandems). For purposes of this bill, power tandems and power successions 
should both be prohibited. These relationships are sometimes referred to as “vertical” or 
“horizontal” poliucal dynasties.
Although the building block of society is the family and it is characteristic for Filipino 
families to be closely knit with children often times wanting to follow in their parents’ 
footsteps, it should be remembered that a public office is unlike other private enterprises. It 
bears repeating that public office is a public trust. The common good is best served by putting 
restrictions on those belonging to the same family when it comes to occupying elective 
positions, because of the vast resources at their disposal, the enormous power and influence 
they wield and the far-reaching consequences of their actions and decisions.
In drafting this bill, the author has taken into account the restrictions on an appointing 
person’s appointing prerogative in light of the dangers of nepotism, and the time-honored
Pagbabago (ANGKOP), Dilaab Foundation, Green Team Pilipinas International, Inc., Krusada Kontra Dynasty, 
Juana Change Movement, Movement Against Political Dynasties, Inc. (MAD), MAD-Crusade Against Dynasty 
and Corruption, Partido Lakas ng Masa, St. Thomas More Society, Inc. Law Center, Solidarity Movement 
Philippines, and Anti-Political Dynasty Movement (ANDAYAMO).
5 Id 
*
6 Still a Family Affair, appearing on http://pcii.ore/storics/still-a-familv-afrair/ citing a 2003 study of 
economists Solita and Toby Monsod.


exclusions in the Rules of Evidence that have recognized the family’s unique dynamics and 
the various provisions in Civil Law that were put in place precisely not to undermine the 
family structure. Thus, this bill provides that the prohibition on political dynasties be 
confined to those falling within the second (2nd) degree of consanguinity and/or affinity.
Beyond the 2nd degree might be unduly restrictive.
To fight the evils brought about by the non-democratization of power, the absence of 
checks-and-balances and the consolidation and concentration of political and economic 
power, the prohibitions in this bill against those belonging to the same family from holding 
elective positions is directed at those -with overlapping ‘jurisdictions ’ or constituencies, as 
follows;
a) A relative intending to replace to succeed an incumbent;
b) If the incumbent is an elective barangay official, the spouse and relatives within the 
second degree of consanguinity or affinity are prohibited to run simultaneously for 
any position in the same barangay as well as in all the barangays in municipalities/ 
cities within the same legislative district,
c) If the incumbent is an elective official of the municipality/city, legislative district 
and/or province, the spouse and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or 
affinity are prohibited to run for or hold any elective local office simultaneously with 
the incumbent within the same municipality/city, legislative district and/or province;
d) If the incumbent is a national elective official, the spouse and relatives within the 
second degree of consanguinity or affinity are likewise prohibited to run 
simultaneously for any position in the national level or in the local level as mayor, 
governor or district representative in any part of the country. However, the spouse and 
said relatives may run for vice governor, vice mayor, or any legislative councils at the 
provincial, city or municipal level;
e) If the incumbent is a governor or district representative, the spouse and relatives 
within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are also prohibited to run 
simultaneously for any position in the national level; or
f) 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.
On the issue of barangay officials, it should be noted that since the Punong Barangay 
serves as executive, legislative and judiciary, there is more reason to shield the position from 
potential influences of familial relations. Based on consultations on the ground, there are 
many instances of graft and corruption at the Barangay level with the highest incidence in 
barangays where the members of the Sanggunian have dynastic relations with one another.
On the issue of national elective officials, this bill provides that by the very nature of 
the office and position, a nationally elected official’s influence is not only confined to the 
province where he or she is registered. However, in order not to unduly restrict, this bill 
provides that the proscription should cover only key positions at the local level, such as


district representative. Governor or Mayor, whereas the spouse and relatives may run for 
vice governor, vice mayor, or any legislative councils at the provincial, city or municipal 
level.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is eagerly sought.


SEVENTEENTTT CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
SB No 1 1 37
of f h e ii’ r n i t ;  r |
•16 
SEP 13 
P 4 :4 6
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Introduced by Senator Poe
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:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as "The Anti-Pol ideal Dynasty 
Act of 2016."
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
guarantee and provide equal access to opportunities for public office and public service to 
any qualified Filipino, pursuant to Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. Towards 
this end, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to prohibit political dynasties as defined 
under Section 5 of this Act.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -  As used in this Act:
a) "COMELEC" shall refer to the Commission on Elections.
b) ’''Holding an Elective Office" shall be deemed to commence the moment the public 
official takes his oath of office and assumes his position.
c) "National office" shall refer to the Presidency, the Vice-Presidency, the Senate of 
the Philippines or the House of Representatives.


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d) ^Political Dynasty' shall refer to the concentration, consolidation and/or 
perpetuation of political powers by persons related to one another within the 
second degree of consanguinity or affinity.
e) ’''Political Dynasty Relationship" shall exist when the spouse or any relative 
within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent elective 
official, runs for public office to succeed or replace the incumbent, or runs for or 
holds any elective local office simultaneously with the incumbent within the same 
province, legislative district and/or city/municipality, and within the same 
barangay and barangays within the same legislative district. The relationship also 
exists if the incumbent is a national elective official, and the spouse or relatives 
within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity run for any position in the 
national level or in the local level as mayor, governor or district representative in 
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 affinity run simultaneously for elective public office at the 
national level, or at the local level within the same province, legislative district 
and/or municipality/city, and within the same barangay and/or barangays within 
the same legislative district, even if neither is so related to an incumbent elective 
official.
f) "Spouse" shall refer to the legal and common-law wife or husband of an 
incumbent elective official;
g) "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;
h) uTerm Limits" shall mean the maximum term limits for elected public officials as 
provided for in the Constitution.
i) "Runs 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.
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SECTION 4. Applicability. -  This Act shall govern and be applicable to the next
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elections and all subsequent elections thereafter. In the case of incumbent elected officials


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who have political dynasty relationship with one another at the national level and/or local 
level, they shall be allowed to run in all subsequent elections until they reach their respective 
term limits as provided for in the Constitution.
SECTION 5. Prohibited Candidates; Scenarios Covered. -  Any person with political 
dynasty relationship, as defined in Section 3 above, with any incumbent elective official, 
shall not be allowed to run for or hold public office in the following maimer;
a) To succeed or replace the said incumbent, or
b) 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/cities within the same legislative district.
c) If the incumbent is an elective official of the municipality/city, legislative district 
and/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 
municipality/city, legislative district and/or province.
d) 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 level or in 
the local level as mayor, governor or district representative in any part of the country.
e) If the incumbent is a governor or district representative, the spouse and the above 
relatives are also prohibited to run simultaneously for any position in the national 
level.
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. 
Provided, however, that if the same elective position is involved, the bona fide certificate of 
candidacy that was filed first will be recognized.
SECTION 6. Petition for Disqualification. — Any voter or duly-registered political 
party, organization, or coalition of political parties, may file with the COMELEC, after the 
last day of filing of certificate of candidacy and before proclamation, a verified Petition to 
Disqualify a candidate on grounds provided for in Section 5 of this Act.


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SECTION 7. Summary Proceedings. - The petition shall be heard and decided 
summarily by the 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.
SECTION 8. 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.
SECTION 9. Effect if Petition is Unresolved Before Completion of Canvass. - If the 
Petition for Disqualification has not been resolved before the completion of canvass, the 
votes cast for the respondent shall be included in the counting and canvassing. However, if 
the basis for disqualification is strong, the proclamation shall be suspended even if the 
respondent is leading in the canvassing of votes.
If the candidate has been proclaimed, his or her political dynasty relationship shall be 
a ground for disqualification in an appropriate quo warranto proceeding.
SECTION 10. Rules and Regidation. - The COMELEC shall promulgate all the rules 
and regulations necessary for the full implementation of this Act.
SECTION II. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, or part thereof, contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act is 
hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.
SECTION 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act shall remain valid and subsisting.
SECTION 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,