‘Anti-dynasty bill OK is the best Christmas gift’

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December 5, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill can be the best gift of lawmakers for Filipinos this Christmas, Rep. Nathan Oducado of the 1Tahanan party-list said as he urged his colleagues to help pass the measure.

“All legislators must accept that dynastic politics has allowed for the prevalence of corrupt practices in all levels of government,” he said, adding that “there is a need to show the people that public office is not a family business, especially from those currently in power.”

Acknowledging that “not all members of political dynasties are corrupt,” Oducado asserted that passing a law enabling the constitutional prohibition on dynasties will show that “they are not part of the problem” and are actively working against it.

He proposes “placing a realistic limit” on the number of politicians related to one another, “at least up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, for positions within the same local government unit.”

“Given that the enabling law on the political dynasty ban is way overdue, any form of limiting political dynasties, especially in local politics, is already a win,” he said.

For his part, Rep. Chel Diokno of the Akbayan party-list said that it would do President Marcos well if he certifies as “urgent” the proposed anti-political dynasty bills in the House.

“President Marcos should prove that his fight against corruption is not lip service by certifying our House Bill 5905 as urgent,” Diokno said.

During the second “Trillion Peso March” in Nov. 30, Diokno said HB 5905, which he filed together with fellow Akbayan Reps. Perci Cendana and Dadah Ismula and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, is a “crucial step in the fight against corruption.”

Once enacted into law, no individual will be allowed to hold or run for public office if they have a relative who is an incumbent elective official – whether at the national or local level – up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity.

They also cannot immediately succeed to the office of the incumbent elective official if they are related. The bill also prohibits candidates who are related to one another within the fourth degree from running simultaneously if their potential election would result in a political dynasty relationship.

Anti-illicit enrichment and transfer

In view of the perceived difficulties in proving the crime of plunder under current laws and court decisions, House deputy minority leader Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a measure to criminalize illicit enrichment and illicit transfer by amending the Revised Penal Code.

De Lima said HB 6626 or the “Anti-Illicit Enrichment and Anti-Illicit Transfer Act,” a new section, “Illicit Enrichment and Illicit Transfer” which shall be added to Chapter Two (Malfeasance and Misfeasance in Office), Title Seven (Crimes Committed by Public Officers), Book II of Republic Act 3815 or the “Revised Penal Code,” will provide a new effective legal tool to combat corruption and ensure accountability in public office.

De Lima said HB 6626 will do away with the “difficulties” in the plunder law.

“This is easy to prove. For example, the Office of the Ombudsman has discovered in their lifestyle check that there is a lot, yacht, house, condominium, helicopter, shares of stocks or business that are in the Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of the government official, and cannot be explained, that can be considered as an illicit enrichment,” De Lima said.

De Lima said many countries are implementing this legislation and international studies attest to its effectiveness as a straightforward yet effective tool to combat corruption. –  Jose Rodel Clapano