Romer Butuyan 
PORMAL nang pinagtibay ng Kamara ang panukalang batas na naglalayon limitahan ang paghahari sa politika ng mga prominenteng pamilya.
Sa botong 267 pabor, 20 tutol at pitong abstention, ganap nang inaprubahan sa ikatlo at huling pagbasa sa plenaryo ng Kamara ang House Bill 8389 na mas kilala sa tawag na Anti-Political Dynasty Act.
Batay sa nilalaman ng proposed measure, na akda nina Speaker Faustino Dy III and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, ipinagbabawal ang mag-asawa at magkamag-anak hanggang sa “second degree of consanguinity or affinity” na sabay-sabay maluklok sa elective posts sa iisang political jurisdiction.
Pagbibigay-diin ni Marcos, ang pag-apruba ng HB 8389 ay patunay ng kahandaan ng Kongreso tugunan ang isang pinakamabigat na political issue na matagal nang nagsisilbing malaking hamon sa bansa.
“This measure recognizes a reality in Philippine politics while also responding to a constitutional mandate that has remained pending for decades. The objective is to promote broader political participation and strengthen public trust in our democratic institutions,” wika ng House majority leader.
“We want to encourage a political environment where leadership is determined not only by familiarity or family ties, but also by merit, competence and the confidence of the Filipino people,” dagdag niya.
Sa pamamagitan aniya ng HB 8389, partikular na isinusulong ang nilalaman ng Section 26, Article II ng 1987 Constitution, na nag-aatas sa estado na tiyaking ang “equal access” sa public service at ipagbawal ang political dynasties.
Layunin din ng panukala ipagbawal ang dynastic arrangements sa national at local elective positions, kabilang ang presidency, vice presidency, Senate, House of Representatives, provincial governments, cities at municipalities.
Bukod kay Marcos at Dy, katuwang din sa pagbalangkas ng naturang panukala ang nasa higit 100 mambabatas na tumayong co-authors .
“A stronger democracy requires broader participation. We want more Filipinos, especially young and capable leaders from ordinary backgrounds, to believe they have a real chance to serve their communities and their country.”
