Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __ 
Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP IN 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 26 of The 1987 Constitution provides: 
 "The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and 
prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law."  
Concurrent elections of related individuals have long posed a challenge to 
democratic governance in the Philippines. Their persistence has often resulted 
in conflict of interest in governance structures resembling inherited rule 
rather than representative democracy. Despite the express constitutional 
mandate, the provision is not self-executing.  
This proposed measure seeks to address this gap by starting at the grassroots 
level where related individuals coming from the same political families have 
the most immediate and visible impact on governance and democratic 
participation. This will ensure that all Filipinos, regardless of lineage and 
affinity, have a fair and equal chance to lead in their local communities. 
The bill prohibits the spouse or any relative within the second degree of 
consanguinity or affinity of an incumbent provincial, city, municipal, or 
barangay official from running for office in the same locality. 
August 11, 2025
3:20 pm
3461


It also disallows two or more individuals who are related within the same 
degree from running for any local elective positions in the same jurisdiction 
at the same time, even if neither is related to a sitting official. 
These provisions are modeled after the safeguards found in the Sangguniang 
Kabataan Reform Act (R.A. No. 10742, as amended by R.A. No. 11768), which 
introduced anti-dynasty measures at the barangay level. 
By creating clear limitations on simultaneous or successive candidacies by 
closely related individuals, the bill aims to open meaningful space for 
emerging leaders, affirming the constitutional aspiration to promote equal 
access to public service and strengthen democratic values at the grassroots 
level.  
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JOSE MANUEL F. ALBA 
Representative, 1st District, Bukidnon 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. __ 
Introduced by Representative Jose Manuel F. Alba 
AN ACT 
PROMOTING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL LEADERSHIP IN 
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 
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 "Equal 
Opportunity for Local Leadership Act." 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy.  – It is hereby declared the policy 
of the State to: 
a) Implement the constitutional mandate under Article II, Section 26 of
the 1987 Constitution specifically for local government positions.
b) Guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service at the
local government level;
c) Promote broader participation in local governance by preventing the
concentration of political power within the same family groups;
d) Avoid conflict of interest among local elective positions;
e) Encourage the emergence of new leadership in local government
units;
f)
Strengthen democratic institutions by ensuring that local electoral
processes remain competitive and accessible to all qualified citizens;
and
SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage. – This Act shall apply to all elective 
positions in local government units, specifically: 
3461


a) Provincial positions: Governor, Vice-Governor, and Members of the 
Sangguniang Panlalawigan; 
b) City 
positions: 
Mayor, 
Vice-Mayor, 
and 
Members 
of 
the 
Sangguniang Panlungsod; 
c) Municipal positions: Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Members of the 
Sangguniang Bayan; and  
d) Barangay 
positions: 
Punong 
Barangay, 
Members 
of 
the 
Sangguniang Barangay, and Sangguniang Kabataan positions. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act: 
a) Related individuals in Local Government refers to a person or 
persons who is the spouse or is related within the second degree of 
consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent elective local official is 
holding or seeking the same local elective office or other local elective 
offices simultaneously in the same province, city, municipality, or 
barangay during the same term; or is holding or seeking the same local 
elective office or other local elective offices simultaneously in the same 
province, city, municipality, or barangay during the immediately 
succeeding term. 
 
b) Second Degree of Consanguinity or Affinity refers to the relationship 
between an individual and another person who is either related by blood 
or by marriage, up to the second civil degree. This includes, by 
consanguinity: a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, brother, or 
sister; and by affinity: a parent-in-law, child-in-law, grandparent-in-
law, grandchild-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law. 
 
c) Same local government unit refers to positions within the same 
province, city, municipality, or barangay. 
 
d) Immediately succeeding term refers to the term immediately following 
the current term of the incumbent. 
SECTION 5. Prohibited Acts. – It shall be unlawful for any related 
person or persons to run for political position concurrently in local 
government, as defined under this Act. This includes, but is not limited to, 
the simultaneous holding of local elective positions within the same local 
government unit by individuals related to one another by consanguinity or 
affinity within the second degree. It likewise prohibits any individual from 
seeking election for a local government position if he or she is related within 
the same degree to an incumbent official within the same jurisdiction during 
the same electoral cycle. 


Furthermore, the immediate succession of a relative within the second degree 
to the same local elective position previously held by an outgoing official shall 
also be deemed a violation of this Act.  
SECTION 6. Exceptions.  – The provisions of this Act shall not apply 
in certain cases where the circumstances do not equate to concurrent running 
for elections of related individuals. These include instances where relatives 
within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity simultaneously hold or 
seek elective positions in different provinces, cities, or municipalities, 
provided that none of the jurisdictions is a component unit of the other. 
The provisions of this act shall not apply to those currently holding 
elective positions at the time of passage of this act. The prohibition shall 
likewise not apply when the relationship by consanguinity or affinity was 
established only after both individuals had already assumed their respective 
offices. Lastly, emergency succession resulting from death, permanent 
disability, or removal from office shall not be considered a violation of this Act, 
provided such assumption of office is temporary in nature and limited to the 
completion of the unexpired term. 
SECTION 7. Implementation and Enforcement. – The Commission 
on Elections (COMELEC) shall be the primary agency responsible for the 
implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Act. Within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, COMELEC shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations to ensure its proper and effective 
enforcement. 
COMELEC shall utilize available technologies that will prevent covered 
individuals from filing their Certificate of Candidacy. 
All candidates for local elective positions covered by this Act shall be 
required to submit an Affidavit of Compliance to this Act, declaring under oath 
that they are qualified under the provisions herein. Furthermore, any person 
may file a verified petition before the Commission on Elections to question the 
eligibility of any candidate on the grounds provided under this Act. 
SECTION 8. Penalties. – Any person found to have violated any 
provision of this Act shall suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from 
holding public office. Any individual who knowingly aids, abets, or 
participates in the commission of such violation shall be penalized with 
disqualification from holding public office for a period of six (6) years and shall 
suffer a jail term of three (3) years. 


COMELEC officials who, through action or inaction, facilitate or fail to prevent 
violations of this Act within their jurisdiction shall be held administratively 
liable and may be subject to sanctions including, but not limited to, 
suspension or dismissal from government service, as may be provided under 
existing civil service and administrative laws. 
SECTION 9. Transitory Provisions. – This Act shall take effect 
beginning with the first local elections held after the passage into law. 
Incumbent local officials at the time of effectivity of this Act shall be allowed 
to serve and complete their current terms of office without prejudice. The 
prohibitions and disqualifications provided under this Act shall apply to all 
subsequent elections and terms of office following the effectivity period. 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain in full force and effect. 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, orders, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 
circulation. 
 
Approved,