MANILA — The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms launched the first of a series of nationwide public consultations on proposed legislation seeking to ban political dynasties, citing the constitutional principle that “sovereignty resides in the people.”

The regional consultation at Carsigma Gym along Sugar Road was the first formal rollout of hearings initiated by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, who, together with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, filed House Bill No. 6771, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the suffrage and electoral panel, said the consultations were deliberately held outside Congress to hear directly from citizens before finalizing the measure.

“Dinala po namin ang pagdinig na ito sa labas ng Kongreso dahil malinaw ang sinasabi ng ating Saligang Batas: ‘Sovereignty resides in the People’, ang Soberanya ay nagmumula sa Taumbayan,” Adiong said.

“Ngayong araw, hindi lang kami narito para magsalita, kundi para makinig. Ito ay pagdinig mismo sa boses ng mamamayan sa isang usaping tumatama sa pinakaugat ng ating demokrasya,” he added.

HB No. 6771 and related measures aim to implement the 1987 Constitution’s policy against political dynasties by defining prohibited family relationships and setting limits on holding elective posts. A total of 24 anti-political dynasty bills have been filed in the House.

Carmona Mayor Dr. Dahlia Loyola welcomed participants, saying the city was honored to host the first public consultation.

Before opening the regional consultations, the committee held two hearings on the proposal’s legal and constitutional foundations, consulting legal scholars, advocates, and the Commission on Elections.

“Hindi magiging makabuluhan ang anumang reporma kung hindi ito nakaugat sa tunay na karanasan at tinig ng mamamayan. Ang batas na ating mabubuo ay magiging bunga ng sama-samang pagninilay at pakikilahok ng sambayanan,” Adiong said.

He outlined key policy questions for the public, including which family ties should be covered, the degree of prohibited relations, which elective posts should be included, and whether the ban should apply to simultaneous or successive service.

“Ang mga tanong na ito ay hindi lamang para sa mga abogado o eksperto. Ito ay mga tanong na direktang nakakaapekto sa pagpili ng mamamayan at sa anyo ng demokrasya na ating pinangangalagaan,” Adiong said.

The consultation drew around 1,500 attendees, including youth, barangay officials, NGOs, women’s groups, barangay health workers, and government employees.

Speaker Dy, in a video message, reiterated the House’s commitment to transparent, people-centered consultations on politically sensitive measures.

“Ang mga konsultasyong ito ay bahagi ng paninindigan ng Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan na ang mahahalagang batas ay dapat binabalangkas sa pamamagitan ng bukas at tapat na pag-uusap,” Dy said.

He acknowledged the issue carries varied and competing views and emphasized that the consultations are intended to solicit public input.

“Alam po namin na kasama ng isyung ito ang iba’t ibang pananaw, karanasan, at saloobin. Kaya’t hindi po kami narito upang magtakda ng pasya; narito kami upang makinig,” Dy said, adding that discussions would be open to voices from all regions of the country.

Dy stressed that the strength of the measure depends on genuine public participation.

“Ang malinaw po: seryoso ang Kapulungan na isulong at ipasa ang isang makatarungan, makabuluhan, at makataong Anti-Political Dynasty Bill. Gayunman, naninindigan kami na mas magiging matatag ang batas kung ito’y dadaan sa totoo at malawak na konsultasyon sa mga mamamayan,” he said.

The Speaker urged participants to keep discussions respectful and constructive and assured that public input will guide the drafting of the final measure.

“Ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan ay handang makinig, handang maglingkod, at handang kumilos para sa ikabubuti ng ating bayan,” Dy said.

More consultations are expected nationwide before committee deliberations on the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill resume.