MANILA — The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms expressed confidence Friday that the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act remains on track, even as lawmakers prepare for upcoming deliberations on four impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The committee made the statement as it wrapped up nationwide consultations on the reform measure in Cagayan de Oro City. Lawmakers said they aim to finalize a consolidated substitute bill and submit it to the plenary before Congress adjourns for the Lenten break on March 18.

The timeline was raised during a press briefing at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, where reporters asked whether impeachment proceedings could delay the bill.

“That’s what makes the House unique because we can have a lot of things simultaneously. Kaya naman ’yan,” said Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, committee chair.

Adiong emphasized that committee jurisdictions function independently.

“There are committees that are in charge of certain bills. Like in my case, I don’t worry myself with impeachment — my focus is this bill,” he said. “So whether or not there are other things that the House should focus on, my primary consideration and my primary priority is how to carry this over to the next stage, which is the committee report.”

The four impeachment complaints against the Vice President are expected to be referred to the House Committee on Justice next week, adding to lawmakers’ already demanding agenda.

Adiong said his panel will now consolidate input gathered from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao into a substitute bill merging 24 filed measures, including House Bill No. 6771 authored by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos. He encouraged business groups, local government units, and other stakeholders to submit position papers to refine the proposal.

Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan expressed confidence that the measure will be completed on schedule, citing the House’s experience in handling complex, high-profile legislation.

“I’m also confident that the House will be able to tackle these bills in a prompt manner because even though we are members of several different committees and some of us are also chairmen of different committees, my personal experience has been that we have always been capable enough to finish tackling these bills in a timely manner. So kaya ’yan, kaya natin gawin ’yan,” Suan said.

Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago noted that other long-pending priority measures, including the national minimum wage bill and legislation expanding protections against technology-facilitated gender-based violence, are also progressing.

“Dapat sabay-sabay ’yan na umuusad ng mabilis,” Elago said, highlighting the importance of due diligence and inclusive deliberations.

For 1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado, reaching consensus on the bill’s definition remains the key hurdle.

“There’s only one very contentious issue — the definition,” Oducado said. “If we reach common ground on the definition, we’re almost 100% done with the bill.”

The Cagayan de Oro consultation capped a series of hearings in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, following sessions in Carmona, Cavite, and Cebu City. With the nationwide consultations complete, the committee is ready to consolidate input and finalize its report, maintaining momentum for the anti-political dynasty reform despite other pressing legislative matters.