PASIG CITY — During a high-profile public consultation led by the Senate committee on electoral reforms and people’s participation on Monday, February 9, 2026, stakeholders and young political leaders issued a stern warning against the passage of a “watered-down” anti-political dynasty law.
The “Kontra-dinastiya” consultation, chaired by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, brought together various sectors to discuss the urgent need for a substantial law that finally fulfills the 40-year-old constitutional mandate to ban dynasties.
Key Voices in the Consultation
- Vico Sotto (Pasig City Mayor): Sotto emphasized that the movement is not about attacking specific families but about preventing the “concentration of power in the hands of only a few.” He further criticized the use of public resources by officials to “perpetuate themselves in power.” (Note: Sotto is the nephew of Senate President Vicente Sotto III).
- Kiko Aquino-Dee (Anti-Dynasty Network): Aquino-Dee advocated for a ban extending to the fourth degree of consanguinity (up to first cousins). He argued that dynasties lead to “complacent” leadership and poor economic outcomes. (Note: Aquino-Dee is the nephew of former President Benigno Aquino III).
- Miguel Karlo Abadines (Samahang Lingkod ng Bayan): Abadines warned that some “anti-dynasty” bills are insincere and contain loopholes that only disqualify a small fraction of a political family.
Proposed Standards for a “True” Anti-Dynasty Law Advocates at the consultation outlined the requirements for a genuine law to ensure it is not merely symbolic:
- Fourth Degree Ban: Prohibition of relatives within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for office.
- Successive & Simultaneous Ban: No “rotation” or “handover” of positions within families; limits on how many family members can hold office at any one time (proposed maximum of two).
- Loophole Prevention: Closing avenues for relatives to run for different positions in the same or adjacent jurisdictions.
- Party-List Reform: Ensuring the party-list system is used for its original intent rather than as a “backdoor” for dynastic members.
The “People’s Initiative” Option Stakeholders expressed skepticism that the House of Representatives—where approximately 83% of members belong to political dynasties—would pass a meaningful law. Abadines noted that if Congress fails to deliver a substantial version, citizens may resort to a people’s initiative to bypass the legislature and pass a genuine anti-political dynasty law directly.
The consultation in Pasig marks a significant step in the renewed push for electoral reform, as advocates seek to capitalize on public sentiment against the entrenched political status quo in the Philippines.