As public frustration over entrenched political dynasties intensifies in the Philippines, lawmakers face mounting pressure to pass long-awaited anti-dynasty legislation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has added fuel to growing calls for reform by instructing Congressional leaders to prioritize passage of a bill officially banning dynastic rule—a provision enshrined in the 1987 Constitution but never realized in law.
A Constitutional Promise Yet Unfulfilled
More than three decades after the 1987 Constitution prohibited political dynasties, the Philippines has yet to enact an enabling law to make that ban enforceable. Despite the constitutional mandate, dynastic politics remain deeply embedded in the country’s political system. Today, roughly 80% of the House of Representatives is composed of members from political families—many of whom serve alongside siblings, spouses, or children occupying other positions in government.
The influence of dynasties spans both houses of Congress. Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, serves in the Senate, underscoring how deeply personal the stakes are for the very lawmakers being asked to legislate against their own family networks.
Presidential Push Sparks Renewed Momentum
On December 9, 2025, President Marcos directed Senate President Vicente Sotto III and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Boji Dy III) to prioritize the anti-dynasty bill as part of a broader anti-corruption initiative. The administration’s legislative priorities also include the Independent People’s Commission Act, Party-list System Reform Act, and the Citizens and Disclosure Act (CADENA).
“To prioritize and pass the anti-dynasty bill as soon as possible,” was the clear instruction from the President, according to official channels. This marks a symbolic shift in tone for an administration led by a member of one of the most prominent political dynasties in the country’s history.
Senate and Civil Society Allies Welcome the Move
Senator Bam Aquino, a long-time advocate of political reform, described the President’s order as “a good sign,” suggesting it could mark a turning point in the decades-long impasse on this issue. Meanwhile, public interest groups and progressive party-list leaders believe popular involvement will be critical in moving the bill forward.
“The administration should not underestimate the power of people expressing their opinions,” said Representative Chel Diokno of Akbayan. He and other reform advocates argue that sustained grassroots pressure could force lawmakers to act against entrenched political interests.
Skepticism Shadows Legislative Prospects
Despite the President’s directive, opposition lawmakers and civil society actors warn that symbolism may not translate into swift legislative action. Without the President certifying the bill as urgent—a legal mechanism that accelerates congressional review—skeptics worry it may quietly stall, as it has in previous sessions.
“Without certification as urgent, it sends a weaker message to Congress,” said Representative Leila de Lima. “A pressured politician will cling to promises of reform. The President must demonstrate genuine commitment.”
Advocacy groups also question the sincerity of the President’s stance, noting the contradiction of pushing an anti-dynasty bill while maintaining close family ties in high office. Failure to pass meaningful reforms under his leadership, they argue, would reinforce perceptions of political inertia and mark Marcos Jr. as a lame-duck president on anti-corruption.
More Hurdles Ahead as Congress Faces Holiday Deadline
Legislative momentum faces an impending deadline. Congress is scheduled to adjourn on December 20, 2025, for the holiday recess, leaving a narrow window for any significant action this year. Sessions resume on January 19, 2026, but observers caution that delays could derail progress, especially as political attention shifts toward the 2028 elections.
Even beyond the calendar, significant barriers remain. Many lawmakers belong to the very dynasties the bill aims to curtail, raising inherent conflicts of interest. Compounding the legislative minefield is the difficulty of creating a watertight legal definition of “political dynasty” that avoids constitutional challenges and vague language.
A Long Road to Reform
Despite renewed pressure and public support, the passage of an anti-dynasty bill is far from guaranteed. The measure has languished in various forms across multiple administrations, blocked by the very forces it seeks to dismantle. While President Marcos’s latest directive has injected new energy into the debate, reform advocates remain cautious about whether political will can overcome institutional inertia.
With the eyes of the public now squarely focused on Congress and the President, the coming weeks may determine whether the Philippines can finally translate its constitutional promise into political reality—or whether dynastic politics will continue to shape the nation’s democratic future.
