OBLIQUE OBSERVATIONS
By Atty. Gilberto Lauengco, J.D.
On Feb. 28, 2026, a rare alignment of six planets in our solar system will occur. It will be an opportunity for stargazers to witness an uncommon occurrence. Yesterday, another rare event occurred insofar as the Philippine political systems reforms is concerned. A Senate committee endorsed a consolidated bill that, if enacted, would prohibit relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously holding national or local elective posts. This bill would include parents, children, siblings and spouses in the prohibition. It would in fact bar both simultaneous and successive holding of elective posts within the same jurisdiction including party list representatives.
This bill is a rare occurrence because for the first time, there exists a promising attempt to finally pass an enabling law to define and ban political dynasties as mandated by the 1987 Constitution. Despite the fact that there have been several attempts to enact a law for the past 40 years, this is the first time that the “stars have seemingly aligned” to finally pass an admittedly watered-down but more practical measure to take the first steps in actually curtailing dynasties in the Philippine electoral environment.
The bill narrows its definition of “dynasties” from earlier proposals of third or fourth degree of relationships to the present second degree. Many hard line critics oppose the bills as still soft or that it allows some workarounds. This bill, when enacted however is more practical and more enforceable as written. As such, it will be easier both to pass and enforce when it becomes a law. Generally, a lot of significant reform bills for elections fails because it aims to high and too fast. As in many things that will involve the vested interest of entrenched parties, the best way to pass a bill of this importance which will step on many toes, is to push a more realistic and practical version. Due to widespread call for electoral reforms and all other issues, now is a perfect time to push for a doable anti-dynasty bill.
Many say that some form of dynasty is needed in local government units for continuity of policies. There are many who say that dynasties promote stagnation. This bill is probably the compromise needed to meet both sides. Let us hope this bill finally passes into law.
