MANILA — A proposed measure seeking to prohibit political dynasties in elective posts could result in the displacement of more than 5,000 officials belonging to political families, according to a lawmaker.

House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said data gathered by the House indicates that House Bill No. 8389, titled “An Act Prohibiting Political Dynasties in National and Local Elective Offices,” would significantly alter the country’s political landscape if enacted.

“The numbers speak for themselves—and they say the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill will change the landscape of Philippine politics and governance,” Adiong said.

Adiong said the committee worked with the Socioeconomic Research Bureau (SERB) under the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) of the House of Representatives to analyze the potential impact of the proposed measure, which seeks to implement the constitutional directive banning political dynasties.

The SERB study examined official election data obtained from the Commission on Elections, covering provincial, district and municipal positions.

Preliminary findings showed that 9,852 of the 17,983 local-level positions, or 54.8 percent, are currently held by individuals who may belong to political dynasties from around 4,239 potential dynastic families.

“The data clearly shows that the committee version—with the second-degree consanguinity/affinity limitation—will have a significant impact on political dynasties. Projections indicate that over 5,000 elective positions could be vacated by individuals from political dynasties once the measure takes effect,” Adiong said.

“The CPBRD is expected to release their full paper in the coming days, but the preliminary findings submitted to us already confirm the substantial reach and feasibility of this approach. We have emphasized this in our media briefings and public hearings: the 2nd-degree limit is both implementable and meaningful.”

Adiong added that the findings align with data from the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), which surveyed mayors from 1,493 municipalities nationwide.

Based on the survey, about 917 mayors, or 61 percent, serve in localities where they have immediate or extended family members with a history of holding elective office, while only 39 percent of mayors come from non-dynastic backgrounds.

“Given the data we have, we can see that it is inaccurate to say that the committee version will not have an impact. The numbers say otherwise. The evidence proves that the second-degree provision strikes the right balance: it is stringent enough to open real opportunities for new leaders while remaining implementable,” Adiong said.

Plenary deliberations on House Bill No. 8389 were scheduled to take place Wednesday afternoon.