Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday described the consolidated bill prohibiting political dynasties up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity as a pragmatic balance between principle and practicality.
“This bill is at bottom, a convergence of principle and practicality,” Hontiveros said during her sponsorship of Committee Report No. 33, which merges seven proposals to curb political clans from dominating elective posts.
She expressed hope the measure would gain broad consensus while delivering meaningful reform. At least 12 senators endorsed the committee report earlier in the day.
The bill bars both simultaneous and successive occupancy of national and local elective positions—including party-list seats—by relatives within the second degree of consanguinity (parents, children, siblings) or affinity (spouses, in-laws).
Acknowledging the measure may not be the most ambitious, Hontiveros defended it as a viable starting point:
“Hindi ito perpekto. Ngunit ito ay posible. At ito ay makabuluhan. At sa pulitika, ang posible ngayon ang nagiging pundasyon ng mas malalim na reporma bukas,” she said.
The Senate plenary is expected to deliberate on the proposal throughout March, with Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III indicating the chamber aims to pass an anti-dynasty measure by June.
Alignment with the House version will be considered before bicameral reconciliation. The bill is among the priority legislative items targeted for approval before adjournment.