Marcos eyes swift passage of ‘best’ anti-political dynasty bill

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

‘BEST’ VERSION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing for the swift passage of what he calls the “best” version of the anti-political dynasty bill, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro tells reporters on Wednesday (March 3, 2026). Castro said Marcos will carefully review the final measure from Congress to ensure the strongest possible law against political dynasties. (Photo: PNA)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is seeking the immediate passage of the “best” version of a measure prohibiting political dynasties in the country, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Marcos welcomed the significant progress in the deliberations of the anti-political dynasty bill and is hopeful that the measure would hurdle Congress.

“Gusto niya po itong maipasa at natuwa nga po siya na umaandar po ito (He wants this passed and is pleased that it is moving forward),” Castro said in a Palace press briefing.

“Ang nais lang po talaga ng Pangulo ay mapabilis at kung ano ang pinakamagandang batas para sa anti-political dynasty law. Iyan po ang nais ng Pangulo (What the President really wants is for it to be expedited and for the best possible anti-political dynasty law to be enacted. That is what he wants),” she added.

Castro said Marcos has yet to take a position on any specific version of the bill.

She said the final version of the measure will undergo a thorough review, once it reaches the President’s table.

“Pinag-aaralan kung second or fourth o depende po iyan sa magiging version (Whether it is the second or fourth degree, it will depend on the version),” she said.

“Ang Pangulo naman po ay pag-aaralan kung ano ang pinakamainam na version at tutal naman po ay manggagaling ito sa Kongreso (The President will study which version is best. And since it will come from Congress, once it is finalized and passed to him, he will review it).”

Castro also defended Marcos following Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice’s claim that Marcos was merely posturing in declaring the bill a priority measure.

She said Marcos was serious in declaring the anti-political bill a priority measure.

“Ang nakakapagtaka po dito kay Congressman Erice parang lahat na lang ng kasalanan sa mundo isinisisi niya sa Pangulo. Trabaho po nilang gumawa ng batas kaya trabahuhin niya po iyan kung anong gusto niyang version (What is puzzling about Congressman Erice is that he seems to blame the President for everything. It is their job to craft laws, so he should work on the version he wants),” she said.

The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms has approved a consolidated anti-political dynasty measure, principally authored by House Speaker Faustino Dy III and House Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.

The approved measure measure bars spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity – such as parents, children, siblings, and domestic partners – are prohibited from simultaneously holding national or elective posts within the same district, province, city, municipality, or village.

Erice and several members of the Makabayan bloc criticized the approved bill as “weak” or “watered down,” arguing it only regulates political dynasties instead of prohibiting them.