Even a politician’s mistress or live-in partner would not be exempt from restrictions under the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros clarified during plenary debates on Wednesday, March 4.
The measure, Senate Bill No. 190, seeks to prohibit relatives within the second degree from holding public office simultaneously or in succession.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III interpellated Hontiveros to identify potential loopholes.
“For the record, I am in favor of Senate Bill 190. My interpellations would be focusing on clarification and, secondly, plug possible loopholes that might arise in case we are able to pass this bill. We do not want it to be abused and for it to be used properly in line with what the Constitution really wants,” Sotto said.
The bill covers relatives by blood—parents, children, grandparents, siblings, and grandchildren—as well as relatives by affinity, including grandparents-in-law and siblings-in-law.
Sotto asked how the measure would apply if a politician’s “girlfriend,” whether acknowledged or denied, sought public office, or if her relatives attempted to run.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, and Family Relations, explained that the prohibition would extend to individuals cohabiting and presenting themselves publicly as partners, regardless of sex.
She emphasized that a court declaration of adultery or bigamy would not be required. Instead, concealment of such a relationship could lead to disqualification.
“Even if a couple lies and claims they have split, that is grounds for cancellation of a certificate of candidacy for willful concealment or falsehood in the sworn statement. The same restrictions and disqualifications that apply to spouses will also apply to cohabiting partners,” Hontiveros said.
However, she clarified that relatives of a mistress or live-in partner would not be covered, as they fall outside the definition of second-degree relatives.
Sotto noted that influence could still be indirectly transferred.
“We are not preventing the transfer of power or influence dahil yun din yun—kung minsan nga yung girlfriend mas matapang sa asawa e,” he remarked.
Hontiveros said the scope was limited to second-degree relatives based on the Commission on Elections’ recommendation, which warned that broader coverage could make enforcement difficult.
She added that under the current version, siblings would be barred from serving in the Senate at the same time.