MANILA — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III has filed a bill seeking to impose stricter safeguards against political dynasties, conflicts of interest, and undue political influence in the party-list system, as part of efforts to strengthen electoral reforms and democratic representation.

House Bill No. 9906, or the proposed New Party-List System Act, was filed on Monday and is among the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures. It is also included in the administration’s key legislative reform agenda.

The measure seeks to bar individuals closely related to incumbent members of Congress, government contractors, and certain former elective officials from serving as party-list nominees.

In a statement on Tuesday, Dy said the party-list system was intended to broaden representation.

“Kung tunay tayong naninindigan para sa isang mas bukas, mas patas, at mas inklusibong demokrasya, dapat nating tiyakin na ang party-list system ay nananatiling tapat sa orihinal nitong layunin na bigyan ng boses at pagkakataong makilahok sa paggawa ng batas ang mga sektor at komunidad na kulang sa representasyon,” Dy said.

The bill’s explanatory note cited concerns that some party-list groups have allegedly been influenced or controlled by traditional political interests, allowing members of political dynasties or established politicians to access legislative positions through the system.

Under the proposal, individuals related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to sitting senators or House members would be disqualified from becoming party-list nominees.

It also prohibits incumbent elective officials, as well as individuals who have been awarded government contracts, concessions, franchises, or public-private partnership agreements within five years prior to elections, from being nominated.

The measure further bars officers and controlling shareholders of corporations with government contracts from serving as nominees, and imposes a one-election-cycle cooling-off period for former elective officials and candidates before they can be nominated.

Party-list groups would also be required to certify that they are not directly or indirectly established by political dynasties and have no links to individuals with financial interests in government contracts.

The bill strengthens transparency requirements by mandating financial record-keeping, annual reports, and disclosure of significant contributions, while authorizing the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct audits and impose sanctions for violations.

The proposal complements the Anti-Political Dynasty Act recently approved on third reading in the House. Both measures aim to promote a more open and accountable political system by widening participation in governance.

Dy said the reforms are intended to protect the integrity of the party-list system and restore public trust in democratic institutions.