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

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TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.2037

Introduced by Hon. Edgar R. Erice

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines mandates
the State to "prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law." Despite this
constitutional directive, more than three decades have passed without the passage of an
enabling law.

‘An empirical study! discloses that 72 of the 77 Philippine provinces surveyed (94 percent)
have political families. The average number of political families per province is 2.32,
suggesting that there are at least two political clans in most of the provinces. Moreover, since
the reinstatement of democratic elections in 1987, most political families have succeeded in
dominating congressional and gubernatorial contests.

Due to the existence of political dynasties, majority of the positions in government are
possessed by politicians that are members of political families. In fact in the years 1995-2007,
an average of 31 percent of all congressmen and 23 percent of governors were replaced by
relatives. In many of these cases, the persons who would eventually go on to take their place
had no previous political background or experience except for their familial connection.’

The persistent and widespread presence of political dynasties has led to the monopolization
of political power, often resulting in weak democratic institutions, limited political
competition, and entrenched socioeconomic inequalities. The situation is aggravated by the
fact that the Filipino electorate, perhaps out of socio-cultural mind set or out of convenience,
or due to sheer lock of choice tend to vote for members of dominant political families,
looking up to the latter as some kind of idols or as dispensers of political and/or material
favors. This practice is reflective of the patronage system-style of politics that has long
hindered the country’s socio-economic development and political maturity.

One may argue that it is the breeding ground for corruption, while others may argue that it
offers continuity of government projects. However, it cannot be denied that our Constitution
mandates the State to regulate the current Political setup of the Philippines. In doing so, we
must tread this issue carefully so as not to trample the fundamentals of Democracy.

* United Nations Development Programme Report by Temario Rivera
? Ronald Mendoza, Edsel Beja, Victor Venida and David Yap. * An Empirical Analysis of Political Dynasties in the
15" Philippine Congress.”


This proposed measure seeks to curtail the perpetuation of political dynasties by limiting to a
maximum of two (2) family members within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity
who may simultaneously run for or hold elective office or as Party-list representative. The
bill applies to all levels of government, from the barangay to the national level.

This legislative intervention is not a blanket prohibition against political families but a
reasonable regulation to prevent the abuse of power and promote fairer, more competitive,
and more inclusive elections. This will also provide opportunities to qualified citizens to
prove to the people their competence and abilities to serve the State without completely
depriving the people of their sacred right to choose.

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

Representative
Second District of Caloocan


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 2037

Introduced by Hon. Edgar R. E:

AN ACT
PROHIBITING POLITICAL DYNASTIES BY LIMITING TO TWO (2) THE
NUMBER OF FAMILY MEMBERS WITHIN THE SECOND DEGREE OF
CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY WHO MAY SIMULTANEOUSLY RUN FOR OR
HOLD ELECTIVE PUBLIC OFFICE OR AS PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE,
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 2025”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the policy of the State to ensure equal access to
opportunities for public service and to prohibit political dynasties as enshrined in Article II,
Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution. The State recognizes that the concentration of political
power in the hands of a few families undermines democratic principles, perpetuates
inequality, and hampers inclusive governance. This Act aims to promote political pluralism,
healthy competition, and the democratization of electoral participation.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
defined:

1, Political Dynasty refers to the concentration, consolidation, or perpetuation of
public office and political power by persons related to one another.

2. Family Member refers to a person related by blood (consanguinity) or marriage
(affinity) within the second (2™) civil degree (including adoptive family
relationships), as defined under the Civil Code of the Philippines.

3. Second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall include the relatives of a
person who may be a brother or sister, direct descendant or ascendant (including
adoptive family relationships), whether legitimate or illegitimate, full or half blood,
including their spouses.


within

4. Elective Public Office refers to any position in Philippine Government that is
filled through a public election process at the barangay, municipal, city, provincial, or
national level, including representatives of a Party-list.

5. Party-list system is a mechanism of proportional representation in the election of
representatives to the House of Representatives from national, regional and sectoral
parties or organizations or coalitions thereof registered with the Commission on
Elections (COMELEC)

6. Party-List Nomination refers to an appointment in writing by any registered
partyclist to assign an individual as their representative to hold a seat in the House of
Representatives of the Philippines;

7. Acceptance of Party-List Nomination refers to a confirmation in writing by an
individual to represent any registered party-list to hold a seat in the House of
Representatives of the Philippines;

8, Running for any elective public office shall be deemed to commence upon the
filing of certificate of candidacy by a person with the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC)

9. Holding an elective public office commence from the taking of oath of office and
until the termination of office through voluntary, involuntary or automatic means.

10. Holding a seat in the House of Representatives through the party-list system
commence from the taking of oath of office and until the termination of office by any
means.

Section 4. Prohibited Acts. No more than two (2) family members who are related
the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity shall be allowed to:

a. Simultaneously run for any elective public office whether within the same or
different government units or level;

b. Simultaneously accept nomination in any registered party-list;

c. Simultaneously hold elective public office, whether within the same or different
government units or levels;

d. Simultaneously hold a seat in the House of Representatives through the party-list
system; or

¢. Simultaneously file a certificate of candidacy for an elective position if two family
members within the second degree are currently holding elective positions whether
within the same or different government units, levels and/or party-list system and
intend to seek re-election or have already filed their certificates of candidacy for the
upcoming elections or declared their desire in writing to join the party-list elections.

£, Simultaneously accept a nomination from any registered party-list if two family
members within the second degree are currently holding elective positions whether


within the same or different government units, levels and/or party-list system and
intend to seek re-election or have already filed their certificates of candidacy for the
upcoming elections or declared their desire in writing to join the party-list elections.

Section 5. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all elective public offices, including but
not limited to:

a. Barangay Officials (Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay Members)
b. Municipal and City Officials;
c. Provincial Governors and Members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan;

. Members of the House of Representatives including Party-list representatives
and the Senate; and

e. Officials elected to national executive positions, including the President and
Vice-President.

f. Other elective public officials not mentioned herein as recognized by the Law.

Section 6. Enforcement and Implementation. The Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) shall have the primary authority to administer and enforce the provisions of this
Act. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Commission shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

Section 7. Effect of Violation. The Commission on Election shall, motu propio or
upon verified petition by any interested person, deny due course to any certificate of
candidacy filed in violation of this Act. The votes casted in favor of the disqualified candidate
under this act, if any, shall not be counted nor shall such disqualified candidate be proclaimed
or be allowed to assume office

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 under Section 4
hereof.

In the event a candidate disqualified under this Act shall have been proclaimed and
has assumed office, his or her political dynasty relationship shall be a ground for
disqualification in appropriate quo warranto or other proceedings.

Section 8. Penalties. Any person found to have violated this Act shall be subject to
applicable administrative or criminal penalties, including perpetual disqualification from
holding public office if proven to have wilfully misrepresented family relations to circumvent
the law.

Section 9. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or inoperative, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and
effect


Section 10. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or
parts thereof contrary or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Section 11. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,