MANILA — Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan on Friday said the proposed anti-political dynasty law would help level the political field, noting that while more ordinary Filipinos have shown interest in public service, winning elections remains difficult without the machinery of political parties and dynasties.

Pangilinan has filed Senate Bill No. 285, or the Anti-Political Dynasty Law, which seeks to end the dominance of political families that hold multiple and successive elective posts, allowing them to control government resources and concentrate power among a few.

The senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes, said the 1987 Constitution, which will mark its 39th year next month, mandates the State to prohibit political dynasties and guarantee equal access to public service.

Despite growing interest in governance among Filipinos, Pangilinan said political power remains largely in the hands of dynastic families.

“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 said in a radio interview on Friday, January 16.

“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 said.

Under SB 285, individuals with a political dynasty relationship—defined as spouses or relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity—would be prohibited from running for or holding public office either simultaneously or consecutively.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Pangilinan linked the prevalence of political dynasties to poverty and underdevelopment, saying 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 proposed measure, he said, “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.”