Marcos bent on approval anti-political dynasty bill before term ends

MANILA, Philippines, August 2 ------ Despite not discussing the matter in his recent State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains committed to passing the anti-political dynasty bill before his term ends, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

Last June, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading a bill barring second-degree relatives from holding public office simultaneously. Its Senate counterpart is pending in the second reading. “That remains the President’s desire—to have this anti-political dynasty bill passed during his term and under his administration,” said Castro in Filipino in a Wednesday briefing. “So, let us just wait and see how the bicameral process unfolds and how long it will take, as it is my understanding that the Senate still has some work to finish regarding this matter,” she added.

The bill requires candidates to file a sworn affidavit declaring that they have no relatives seeking elective office that would lead to “any prohibited dynasty relationship” after the filing of their certificate of candidacy. They must also inform the Commission on Elections of any relatives also running for office as soon as they become aware of it.

In the event that relatives run and win seats at the same political level, then the candidate with the highest vote count will take the post. For relatives running within the same political unit but at different levels, meanwhile, the candidate elected to the higher office will assume the post.

In December 2025, Marcos directed Speaker Faustino Dy III and then-Senate President Vicente Sotto III to prioritize bills seeking to end political dynasties, along with the Party List System Reform Act, the Independent People’s Commission Act, and the Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability. Marcos himself belongs to one of the country’s so-called fat dynasties, the type that has several members of a clan holding elective positions simultaneously.

Apart from his son, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the President’s clan members in politics include his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos; first cousin, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez; cousin-in-law, Tingog party list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez; nephew, Tingog party list Rep. Julian Andrew Romualdez; first cousin, Ilocos Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba; and cousin-in-law, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco.

Source: inquirer.net