MANILA – Senator Bam Aquino said the proposed anti-political dynasty law has a strong chance of being enacted, describing it as a long-overdue reform that Filipinos have been fighting for over the past four decades.

Aquino, author of Senate Bill No. 1558, said there is a window of opportunity for the measure’s passage as similar proposals have been filed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to fulfill the mandate of the 1987 Constitution.

“With the majority of political families themselves initiating and pushing for anti-dynasty reforms, the chances of this measure being enacted into law are high,” Aquino said.

The senator cited his work during the 16th Congress as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, when he pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 10742, or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act, which included the country’s first anti-political dynasty provision.

Aquino’s proposed measure limits the ban on political dynasties to the third degree of consanguinity and affinity, allowing only one elected official from a family to hold office at any given time.

“Bawal ang sabay-sabay. Ito’y para mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang iba pang mga Pilipino na may katulad na hangaring makapagsilbi sa bansa at sa kapwa,” he said.

Legal experts, according to Aquino, have noted that limiting the ban to the third degree of consanguinity is more practical and enforceable under the country’s electoral system.

Under the proposed law, if two related candidates win positions that would result in simultaneous terms, the Board of Canvassers is required to convene a public meeting to resolve the conflict.

If the candidates have agreed beforehand on who will withdraw, the Board will honor that agreement. In the absence of such an agreement, the Board will determine the rightful winner through a drawing of lots and immediately issue a certificate of proclamation.

The bill also authorizes the Commission on Elections to cancel or annul proclamations made in violation of the proposed law or to suspend the assumption of office of any prohibited candidate.