Senator Pangilinan: With anti-political dynasty law, even a tricycle driver can run for office

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said power remains in the hands of political dynasties despite the interest of many Filipinos to run for public service.

“In other words, yung political dynasties nagkaroon na ng monopoly ng kapangyarihan na hindi tama, na dapat talagang mabigyan ng tiyansa ang ordinaryo nating kababayan na naging interesado sa pulitika, nakita nila yung kurakot, nakita nila na hindi maganda at tumaya, lumalaban,” Pangilinan explained in a radio interview on Friday, January 16.

Pangilinan said this as he has taken note of the interest of ordinary Filipinos to participate in public service during the past elections.

“Pero yun nga, napansin nila na ang hirap labanan pag angkan na at pamilya ang kalaban na napakamakapangyarihan, nakaupo sa pwesto tapos ang malungkot pa, ginagamit pa ang posisyon para lalong magpayaman,” he added.

“Kaya ang sa atin, para matigil na itong monopoliya ng pagiging public servant, dapat lahat—kahit tricycle driver, barangay captain—pwedeng umasa, pwedeng mag-ambisyon na mag-serbisyo bilang lingkod bayan at yung political dynasties, dapat talaga tutulan.”

Pangilinan filed Senate Bill No. 285, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, calling for the end of dynastic political families that hold multiple and successive elected positions, controlling much of the government’s resources and keeping political power amongst the few.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said that the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which turns 39 years old next month, mandates that the State must prohibit political dynasties and instead must guarantee equal access to public service.

Pangilinan emphasized that victories for those without the political machinery and the backing of big political parties and dynasties will remain prevalent if the proposed anti-political dynasty law is not passed.

In SB 285, the senator proposes that any person with a political dynasty relationship—spouses or relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity—shall not be allowed to run or hold public office either simultaneously or consecutively.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Pangilinan linked dynastic prevalence to poverty and underdevelopment as it undermines democratic processes “by weakening checks and balances, stifling political competition, and perpetuating ‘personality-based politics’ leading to a less democratic system over time.”

The measure “aims to level the playing field for all citizens, promote inclusivity and reinvigorate the democratic process, ensuring that leadership genuinely reflects the will of the many, rather than the privilege of a few.” 

The 1987 Philippine Constitution bans political dynasties and mandates the creation of a law to define and regulate them, but such a law has never been enacted. Consequently, no strict legal framework exists to prevent family members from occupying multiple political positions, and political dynasties remain pervasive, particularly in local government.

Despite repeated attempts to pass an “Anti-Political Dynasty” law, Congress has consistently failed—often due to lawmakers’ own familial interests—leaving the constitutional prohibition largely unenforced in practice.

-Paraluman News