Philippine House Vows to Pass Anti-Political Dynasty Law Following Supreme Court Admonition

Congress will do its duty to approve an Anti-Political Dynasty Law, House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Representative Zia Alonto Adiong said on Wednesday after the Supreme Court ruled that Congress must already pass the law. "The Supreme Court has spoken on the duty. Congress must now speak through legislation. Public office is a public trust, not a hereditary entitlement. We intend to finish the work," Adiong said in a statement today. "I welcome the Supreme Court’s reminder that Congress must enact an anti-political dynasty law defining what a political dynasty is and providing the specific prohibitions at the earliest possible time," he added. The representative from the first district of Lanao del Sur tagged as a "constitutional wake-up call" the Supreme Court's ruling that Congress’ prolonged failure to enact an anti-political dynasty law "constitutes grave abuse of discretion.” "For nearly four decades, Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution has directed the State to guarantee equal access to public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law. The duty to define and prohibit belongs to Congress. Inaction is no longer defensible," Adiong stated. The House of Representatives approved in June 2026 the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill on third and final reading. The said bill prohibits relatives within the second degree of affinity and consanguinity from running simultaneously or holding elective positions in the same national, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay government, or from seeking seats in the House of Representatives within the same legislative district. "That vote shows the House is prepared to meet the constitutional mandate identified by the Court," Alonto Adiong said. "As Chairperson of the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, I reaffirm our readiness for the bicameral conference. We will work to reconcile the disagreeing provisions of the House and Senate versions so that the country finally has a clear definition, specific prohibitions, and an enforceable law," he added. ML Party-list Rep Leila de Lima on Anti Pol Dynasty Bill: Further delaying the passage of a genuine anti-dynasty law, or enacting a law that legitimizes political dynasties, would make this abuse even graver – an injustice to the Filipino people. @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/83TzZN4cNs In a separate statement, ML Party-list Representative Leila de Lima today expressed hope that the Senate will pass a version of the Anti Political Dynasty Law "that truly democratizes access to public office by prohibiting political dynasties, rather than giving them more license to dominate our country." De Lima, who had authored a bill banning political dynasties, withdrew her support for the version approved by the House of Representatives. "The Supreme Court, in its ruling granting the petitions seeking to compel Congress to pass a law on political dynasties, stated: “Congress’ failure to do so for 39 years constitutes grave abuse of discretion.” Further delaying the passage of a genuine anti-dynasty law, or enacting a law that legitimizes political dynasties, would make this abuse even graver—an injustice to the Filipino people," de Lima said in a statement. "Kaya hindi natin naatim na suportahan ang ipinasang bersiyon ng Kamara [This is why we could not accept the version Congress passed]. After almost four decades of waiting, Filipinos are confronted with a measure that mandates the exact opposite of what the Constitution demands," she added. — BM, GMA News