Senator Bam Aquino on Wednesday, December 10, said the proposed anti-political dynasty law may finally move after decades of inaction, citing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s newly stated support as a potential turning point.
“Before yesterday’s pronouncements, I would have said, ‘Baka mahirap talaga,’” he told Senate reporters, adding that the administration’s backing “can be a good signal for all legislators to push and pass this at the soonest possible time.”
Aquino said an urgent certification from the President would help underscore political will but remains unnecessary for now, noting that the Senate has yet to produce a committee report.
“If it’s certified urgent, that would be very welcome. Pero hindi siya necessary at this point,” he said, pointing out that Senate President Pro Tempore Ping Lacson’s committee is expected to release a report by early 2026 to begin formal processing of the measure.
He explained that his version of the bill seeks a prohibition up to the third degree of consanguinity, describing it as a pragmatic anchor for debate amid multiple proposals filed.
“May naka-file ng fourth, may naka-file ng third. In the past, may nag-file rin ng second. Pero siguro para sa akin, magandang starting point na muna ‘yung third,” he said, clarifying that the restriction would cover parents, children, siblings, uncles, aunts, and nephews.
Aquino acknowledged the political sensitivity of the measure, noting that both chambers include members from prominent political families.
“Kahit ako, ‘di ba? I belong to a political family as well,” Aquino said. He argued, however, that current public pressure and corruption investigations have created an unusual window for structural reforms.
“May mga batas kasi na the time has come,” he said. “Maybe on any other year, walang tsansa iyong political dynasty. Pero dahil mabigat ‘yung mga usapin at nakatutok ‘yung taumbayan, siguro may chance ‘yan ngayon.”
The senator said he was surprised to see the measure included in the new list of priority reforms discussed in LEDAC, adding that transparency and accountability demands are reshaping legislative priorities.
He linked the bill’s momentum to parallel efforts such as the Citizens Access and Disclosure of Expenditures for National Accountability (CADENA) Act, saying these proposals are gaining traction only because “the people are watching and demanding changes in systems that enabled this kind of corruption.”
Aquino stressed that regulating political dynasties is a constitutional obligation that Congress has failed to fulfill for nearly four decades.
“Ang panahon po niyan 1987 because ‘yan ‘yung nasa Constitution natin. For the past thirty-eight or thirty-nine years, hindi iyan naaksiyunan,” he said.
