MANILA – 1Tahanan Partylist Representative Nathan Oducado called on lawmakers to pass a law prohibiting political dynasties, citing corruption scandals and misuse of public funds as reasons for urgent reform.

Oducado said the flood control corruption scandal and other irregularities highlight the need to show that “public office is not a family business, especially from those currently in power.”

“All legislators must accept that dynastic politics has allowed the prevalence of corrupt practices in all levels of government. Plunder, nepotism, graft, and bribery are more likely to occur if public officials are incentivized to look the other way or cover for each other because they belong to the same clan,” he said.

The lawmaker proposed limiting the number of politicians related to one another, at least up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, holding positions within the same local government unit (LGU). He added that any measure limiting political dynasties, even partially, would be a step forward given the lack of an enabling law.

Oducado noted that although the 1987 Constitution prohibits political dynasties, the absence of a law defining this ban has allowed dynastic politics to thrive. He cited a 2025 report from the Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies showing that dynastic representation in the House of Representatives rose to 67 percent in 2025 from 48 percent in 2004, while mayoral posts held by political families increased to 53 percent from 40 percent. He also said that 78 out of 156 party-list organizations certified by the Commission on Elections in the last elections belong to political families.

“Our own government’s think tank showed the increasing domination of political clans. This Constitutional prohibition is a promise we as Representatives cannot continue breaking with inaction. Banning political dynasties may lead to some politicians losing power, but it’s a small price to pay for the trust we must once again earn,” Oducado said.