Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong stated that the House-approved anti-political dynasty bill is not watered down. He described House Bill 8389 as a positive step toward enforcing the constitutional ban on dynasties.
Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, sponsor of HB 8389, maintained that the measure addresses the monopoly of power by one family in a single locality. He noted that the bill could affect over 1,700 municipal executive positions.
Business and civil society groups have criticized HB 8389 for permitting relatives beyond the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to hold office simultaneously at all government levels. They also highlighted that it allows unlimited succession and position switching.
Adiong called the bill a major step in implementing the undefined constitutional ban on political dynasties that has stood since the 1987 Constitution was ratified.
