Business Coalition Calls for Genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law in the Philippines
In a significant move, thirty prominent business and civil society organizations have jointly urged the Philippine Congress to enact a "genuine and enforceable" Anti-Political Dynasty Law. This coalition, which includes the influential Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), issued a statement on February 12, 2026, warning that the current version of House Bill (HB) 6771 fails to meet constitutional standards and risks perpetuating systemic issues.
Criticism of Current Legislation
The groups argue that the absence of an effective anti-dynasty measure has led to political power being concentrated among a few families, fostering corruption, perpetuating inequality, and eroding public trust in institutions. They described HB 6771 in its present form as a "pro-dynasty measure" because it allows succession, substitution, switching, and rotation among relatives. These provisions enable family members to hold elective positions across various government levels and election cycles, effectively maintaining monopolies on political power.
"Public office is not a family inheritance — it is a public trust bestowed by the people and exercised for the common good," the statement emphasized. The coalition further highlighted that political dynasties extend their influence beyond government into local economies through business interests, franchises, and permits, tightening their grip on both political and economic spheres.
Proposed Safeguards for a Stronger Law
To address these concerns, the coalition proposed several key measures for a strengthened Anti-Political Dynasty Law:
- Prohibit relatives within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity from running for or simultaneously or consecutively holding elective office, aligning with a "one local, one national" representation principle.
- Explicitly ban substitution, rotation, and position-switching among prohibited relatives to prevent circumvention of term limits.
- Establish a mandatory cooling-off period equivalent to one full electoral cycle for term-limited officials and their relatives before they can seek the same position again.
The coalition warned that if Congress fails to pass a meaningful law, citizens may pursue legislation through a People's Initiative. They cited the Philippine Identification System law, or Republic Act No. 11055, as a precedent, noting its use of digital processes like QR codes, biometrics, and specimen signatures for voter authentication.
Broad Coalition and Broader Implications
Signatories to the statement include a wide range of organizations, such as the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Institute of Corporate Directors, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Shareholders' Association of the Philippines. These groups are joined by academic, church-based, and reform-oriented organizations, forming a diverse alliance.
The coalition framed the push for an anti-dynasty law as essential for improving governance and strengthening the country's business environment. They argued that merit, rather than lineage, should determine who serves in public office. "Ultimately, the battle against political dynasties is a battle against corruption itself," the statement concluded, underscoring the high stakes involved in this legislative effort.
