MANILA — The House of Representatives is ready to enter bicameral conference talks to reconcile differences in the proposed anti-political dynasty law once the Senate approves its version, House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chairperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Thursday.

“On the part of the House of Representatives, naipasa na po natin ’yan,” Alonto Adiong said at a press briefing.

“So naghihintay na lang po tayo ng version ng Senado at handa naman po ang House of Representatives na umupo sa bicameral conference kung matatapos po ang version ng Senado sa kanilang anti-political dynasty,” he added.

The House approved House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, on third and final reading on June 3, with 267 lawmakers voting in favor, 20 against, and seven abstentions. The measure was transmitted to the Senate on June 8.

The bill was principally authored by Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos. It covers spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity in specified cases involving the simultaneous or successive holding of elective office.

The Senate has also advanced Senate Bill No. 1901, which similarly covers relatives within the second degree and prohibits the simultaneous and successive holding of certain elective posts, including party-list participation. The measure remains pending on second reading.

Alonto Adiong’s statement followed the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling directing Congress to enact an enabling law defining and prohibiting political dynasties “at the earliest opportunity,” 39 years after the 1987 Constitution took effect.

The court ruled that Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution imposes a mandatory duty on Congress to define and prohibit political dynasties, and said the failure to enact the law for 39 years constituted grave abuse of discretion.

Alonto Adiong chaired the House panel that tackled and consolidated the proposed anti-political dynasty measures before the legislation was elevated to the plenary.