Mindanao folks prefer wider anti-political dynasty law
“To prevent concentration of power of resources in one family.”
CAGAYAN DE ORO — A person shall be prohibited from running with another family member at least within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity.
This proposal reflects the sentiment of Filipinos during the recent Mindanao leg public consultations on an anti-political dynasty bill launched by both chambers of Congress in Cagayan de Oro.
Muhajar Samad, program officer of the Bangsamoro Human Rights Youth Action Network, pointed out that the problem of political dynasties does not end with immediate family members.
This is also to be consistent with the prohibition against nepotism, said lawyer Eddie Cuaresma, former chairperson of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cagayan de Oro Chapter. “To prevent concentration of power of resources in one family,” he added.
Section 59 of the Revised Administrative Code of 1987 prohibits all appointments in national and local governments in favor of families and relatives within the third civil degree of consanguinity and affinity.
The appointment of a person who is related within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity to the appointing authority is also unlawful, according to Section 79 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
Father Jefferson Palasan of the Promotion of Church Peoples Response – Northern Mindanao told House legislators that the proposed provision should be followed, as transparency and accountability would be impossible if lower than the said degree of relationship.
Several measures proposed lower than the fourth degree, but Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Sarah Jane Elago said she will push for the highest standard of provisions until the bicameral conference.
“We need to ensure that the purpose of the Constitution to prohibit and eliminate political dynasties is reflected in the bill,” Elago told Bulatlat after the public consultation held at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan de Oro on February 20.
Elago filed House Bill No. 4784, which seeks to prohibit a person from running for any elective national and local office “simultaneously” with another within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity and affinity.
Also, she proposed that no person within the said degree of relationship to an incumbent official shall “immediately succeed” the latter’s position.
No trust
Brother Wilson Amad, convenor of the People’s Constitutional Reform Initiative, said ordinary people are the ones affected by political dynasties. Hence, they should lead the passage of the bill through people’s initiative.
During the public consultation launched by the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation at Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan on February 19, Amad stressed this point, as he has no trust in the majority of legislators in both chambers of Congress.
“Why? They cannot act contrary to their nature or nurture,” Amad said, adding that political dynasties are the worst addiction in Philippine politics.
The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) earlier reported that at least 18 “obese dynasties” in the country were elected after the May 2025 elections.
In Mindanao, these included the Dutertes in Davao City, Hataman-Salliman in Basilan, Plaza in the Caraga region, Pacquiao in Sarangani and General Santos City, Uy in Zamboanga del Norte, Dimaporo in Lanao del Norte, Alonto-Adiong in Lanao del Sur, and Tan in Sulu.
There are 24 proposed measures as of the latest in the House of Representatives that seek to prohibit political dynasties, while there are seven in the Senate.
Cuaresma also stressed that if both the Senate and House fail to pass the measure, they will initiate a people’s initiative for the country to have an anti-political dynasty law.
House Bill No. 3587 during the 16th Congress was reportedly the first anti-political dynasty measure that hurdled the committee level and reached the House plenary for debate.
The individuals covered in the measure were up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, and it was described as a “toothless” bill.
Adrian Jay Espiritu, coordinator of Amnesty International Region 10A, asserted that the abuse of power through political dynasties could be a root of corruption, calling on the national government that it is time to have this law to follow what the Constitution says. (RVO)
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