MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros clarified that the proposed measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties in the Philippines does not include banning friends or allies of political families from running for office.

In a report, Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, made the remark during the panel’s fourth consultative meeting on the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act.

“Hindi po sakop ng kontra dinastiya bills ‘yung mga cronies dahil…hindi naman sila ‘yung tumatakbo at nanunungkulan,” she said when asked about the cronies of political clans and dynasties.
(The cronies are not covered in the anti-dynasty bills because they are not the ones running and holding office.)

The senator recalled that previous consultations raised the possibility of political families fielding “dummies” to run in their place.

“Pero hindi pa po sakop ‘yan ng panukalang batas,” she said.
(But that is not yet covered by the bill.)

Hontiveros assured that her legislative team and the committee secretariat are consolidating inputs from the consultative meetings.

“Excited po kami to craft a committee report na pagsasama-samahin lahat itong mga inputs sa consultations at siyempre sa mga pagdinig, for the consideration of the committee members,” she said.
(We’re excited to craft a committee report that will include all these inputs from the consultations and hearings, for the consideration of the committee members.)

The Senate electoral reforms committee has also held consultations in Pasig City; Calamba, Laguna; and Bacolod, and will conduct the next session in Cagayan de Oro this week.

Currently, six anti-dynasty bills are pending before the Senate committee. Hontiveros said the chamber is aiming to pass its version before the end of March, ahead of the session break from March 21 until May 3. Sessions will resume on May 4, 2026.

She added that she has coordinated with House suffrage and electoral panel chair Zia Adiong to align timelines between both chambers.

“Hindi ko alam kung ano naman ang timetable ng House. Pero siyempre ang best case scenario ko, dahil sila rin ay nagdadaos din ng mga pandinig at konsultasyon tulad nito sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Pilipinas, kung sabay kaming matapos ng aming versions at makapag-bicameral conference committee hearings, best case scenario, maipasa namin ang batas by next month para ipadala na sa Malacañang kung kanilang pipirmahan,” Hontiveros said.
(I don’t know what the House’s timetable is because they are also conducting their own hearings and consultations around the country. But if we get to finish our versions at the same time and hold a bicameral conference committee hearing, the best case scenario is that we pass this measure by next month and send it to Malacañang for signature.)