November 12, 2025 | 10:58am
MANILA, Philippines — Political dynasties have long dominated Philippine politics, but the issue has once again come under public scrutiny amid anti-corruption protests and investigations into scam infrastructure projects.
Congress itself is largely made up of politicians from entrenched families, many of whom have held power for generations and continue to do so today. While the Constitution outlaws political dynasties, the lack of a law defining them has kept the ban unenforceable.
It has been nearly three decades since the 1987 Constitution was chartered. Despite efforts by some minority lawmakers in past Congresses to pass an anti-political dynasty bill, none have even passed second reading. The proposed measures were simply left to gather dust at the committee level.
House Speaker Bojie Dy himself has 16 relatives in public office, including his son and nephews who serve alongside him in the House of Representatives. Since assuming the speakership — more so when he declared his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) — Dy has mostly remained silent about criticisms directed at his family’s decades-long rule in Isabela.
It was only when Congress resumed session on Tuesday, November 12, that Dy publicly addressed the matter, framing his family’s influence as part of a “long-standing tradition of service to the country.”
“Alam ko pong maraming nagtataas ng kilay sa usaping ito at aaminin ko rin alam kong may mga matang nakatuon sa akin dahil sa aking pamilya — gaya ng marami pang iba na mayroon nang mahabang tradisyon na paglilingkod sa ating bayan,” Dy said.
(I know that many people raise their eyebrows at this issue, and I admit I’m aware that many eyes are on me because of my family — like many others who have a long-standing tradition of serving our country.)
While he did not deny the breadth of his family’s political influence, he said that public service is not “inherited” but “entrusted” by the people.
Still, he mentioned his family to make a point that even he would prioritize the passage of a bill defining and prohibiting political dynasties, as mandated by the Constitution.
“Panahon na upang harapin ang isa pang usapin na matagal nang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon: ang pagpapatupad ng batas laban sa political dynasty,” Dy said. (It is time to confront another issue that has long been enshrined in our Constitution: the enforcement of a law against political dynasties.)
He said the measure should not be seen as a barrier for those who wish to run for office, but rather as an opportunity for the government to encourage “more Filipinos to be part of public service.”
“Mga kasama, patunayan po natin, hindi lamang sa salita kundi sa gawa, na bukas at handa tayong makinig sa ating mga kababayan, dahil dito nagmumula ang tunay na direksyon ng ating pamahalaan,” Dy said, addressing the chamber.
(My colleagues, let us prove, not just in words but in action, that we are open and willing to listen to our fellow Filipinos, for it is from them that the true direction of our government comes.)
In October, Rep. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District) delivered an impassioned speech appealing to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte to back an anti-political dynasty bill, saying genuine reform requires curbing even their own political power.
Several bills seeking to define and prohibit political dynasties have already been filed since the 20th Congress opened, with the current number already reaching nine and are pending committee deliberations.
The bills differ in how they define a political dynasty. Some propose that no one can run for or hold public office at the same time as a relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity, and even ban succession in the same post.
Others are more lenient, limiting the restriction to relatives within the second degree of consanguinity and even allowing at most two family members to simultaneously hold public office.
How Congress defines political dynasties may ultimately determine how willing its members are to reform an institution where family ties remain deeply entrenched.