House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos admitted on Wednesday that a more restrictive version of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act would have likely failed to secure enough votes to pass the House of Representatives.
Marcos, who represents the 1st District of Ilocos Norte and belongs to one of the nation’s most prominent political families, explained that the current version approved by the chamber was a product of intense consultations. According to him, it represents the only format capable of gaining majority backing.
“You always have to check what the numbers are for each bill, lalo na kapag priority (measure). Binibilang mo talaga yung mga boto kung gaano kalaki ang suporta ng (House),” Marcos told reporters.
The lawmaker openly acknowledged that placing tighter limitations on political families would have crippled the bill’s support within the lower chamber.
“I am of the opinion, and nakita naman talaga namin, na should you make that bill stricter and more constrictive, nawawala yung suporta ng lower House… Let’s call a spade a spade and marami talaga ang political dynasty dito… I’d be an idiot if I said I wasn’t from one either. Let’s be honest with ourselves here,” he added.
The lower house recently passed House Bill No. 8389 on its third and final reading, gathering 271 affirmative votes, 16 negative votes, and seven abstentions. Under this specific bill, spouses and relatives within the second degree of blood relation or marriage are prohibited from running for or holding elective offices at the same time within the same political territory.
Marcos emphasized that the current draft serves as a crucial starting point to finally fulfill the constitutional ban on political dynasties, even if it falls short of the absolute bans demanded by various advocacy groups.
“To answer your question, it was really a matter of getting it through already na ipasa natin dito sa House to get the conversation started. This is not the final result of what the bill will be. Hindi pa ito batas,” he said.
“This is just the version that we in the lower House were able to produce and garner support for, because had it been more strict, baka hindi tayo makakuha ng boto,” he added.
Furthermore, Marcos noted that the Senate is unlikely to pass the bill without changes. He pointed out that lawmakers from both chambers will have the chance to adjust and refine the provisions when the legislation reaches the bicameral conference committee.
“There will be a bicameral conference, and that will be another opportunity to amend whatever provisions the upper house thinks to be inadequate or not tenable to the Filipino people,” he said.
The Anti-Political Dynasty Act is intended to finally enforce Section 26, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to provide equal access to public service opportunities and legally prohibit political dynasties.