LAWMAKERS on Friday rejected claims circulating on social media that the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act is aimed at Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the reform is anchored in the 1987 Constitution and not in her newly announced 2028 presidential bid.
“Walang connect,” said Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, responding to a media query in Cagayan de Oro City about online claims linking the anti-dynasty push to Duterte’s recent announcement that she would run for president in 2028.
Adiong said the constitutional basis of the measure predates any political declaration.
“The 1987 Constitution, Article 2, Section 26, wala pa po tayo rito, wala pa sa posisyon, nandyan na sa Konstitusyon. So hindi siya targeted sa kanino man,” Adiong said in a press conference.
“Malaking usapin itong electoral reform, hindi nagre-revolve ang usaping ito sa partikular na kandidato. So, hindi ko alam kung bakit kino-connect nila. Ang layo naman. Nasa Konstitusyon ito, Section 26, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution,” he added.
“Hindi namin alam na kung kailan siya mag-a-announce, pero alam namin meron sa Konstitusyon na nagsasabing kailangan may anti-political dynasty (law).”
1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado said the bill would primarily affect lawmakers themselves, not the Vice President.
“Kung titingnan mo po talaga ang pinakaapektado dito sa bill na ito is not her, it’s actually the people in Congress,” Oducado said.
“And we’re doing this because we love the country and we’re willing to sacrifice a lot of things for the country.”
He urged the public and media to set aside partisan interpretations and remove the political lens, particularly on social media.
“Malayo pa po ang 2028. Ang dami pa po nating kailangang gawin and problema na kailangan i-resolve. We’re just doing our job. Mahirap siya, but we have to do our job,” he said.
Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan described the anti-dynasty measure as “necessary and urgent.”
“It’s something that we all need for our country right now, especially with everything that’s been happening,” Suan said.
“But we must remember that we must not honor men more than law. And the law requires, the Constitution requires that we have to prohibit political dynasties. The time is now.”
Adiong appealed to critics not to politicize the process.
“Can I ask this appeal na lang sa kanila? Do not sabotage this process. Hostage this process to make it appear as if this is intended for one particular candidate. That’s not how you put it,” he said.
“Ito para sa electoral reform ito wala itong kinalaman kanino man,” Adiong stressed.
Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Flores noted that multiple versions of the anti-dynasty bill were filed long before recent political developments, including his own measure which he said he filed as early as July 2025.
He added that many lawmakers themselves come from political families and would be covered by the proposed restrictions.
“So, ito naman is we all come from political families. Most of us come from political families … So how can they say na sila lang na family ang apektado by it?” Flores said, referring to the Dutertes.
“It’s not just for their family, but it’s also for our family. It’s for every Filipino family, actually. Because the outcome of this law would benefit every Filipino family.”
Gabriela Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago, a principal author of one of the measures, said the push predates the current political cycle.
“Matagal na po sinusulong ng Gabriela Women’s Party, ‘yung kasama ng Makabayan bloc ang anti-dynasty bill as early as 2001 na meron na pong pagtutulak sa loob ng Kongreso para tiyakin na ‘yung ginagarantiya po ng Saligang Batas ay gagawin talaga ng Kongreso,” Elago said.
“This is not about any family or ending someone else’s legacy, but the beginning of more chances, more chances for anyone regardless of their background to have a fair chance and shot at winning in the national and local elections,” she added.
