By Robert B. Roque, Jr.
It takes one to know one. And amid the degenerative state of Philippine governance, perhaps the most ironic — and therefore politically viable — first step is for two dynasty giants to draft a bill that claims to end clan monopoly over elective posts in their own bailiwicks.
Former House speaker Martin Romualdez’s point man, now-Speaker Bojie Dy, and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos have filed what is now the House leadership’s anti-dynasty bill — prodded by a presidential “instruction,” no less.
On its face, it finally defines political dynasties, even expansively, up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity. That’s a good sign, of course, especially since it does not count for nothing in a Congress that has dodged this constitutional duty for decades.
But read past the headline, and the reform quickly thins out.
The ban is strictly territorial and vertical. Dynasties are only barred from piling up posts within the same government level or locality. Cross-level dynasties? Allowed. Cross-jurisdiction family rule? Allowed. Legislative districts multiplying under one surname? Still perfectly legal.
This means, for purposes of example, one Duterte or Revilla or Ynares at the national level, another in the province, several more in Congress, cities, and towns — all compliant with the bill. Again, the surnames are just an example, and you know what I mean.
After all, the Constitution does not really outlaw dynastic leadership, but discourages and frowns upon it at the very least—much the same way it would on the fine print of this Dy-Marcos anti-dynasty measure.
Examining it more closely, the bill does not stop dynasty rotation — the oldest and dirtiest trick in the book. When term limits hit, a wife, son, brother, or cousin steps in. This is how families ruled Rizal for 33 years and Batangas City for 37. Other anti-dynasty bills explicitly ban immediate succession. This one politely looks away.
It is also silent on party-list hijacking — the backdoor dynasties now use to entrench power in Congress. Forty party-list groups in the 2025 elections were linked to political families. This loophole is precisely how dynasties expand without “violating” district limits.
To be fair, the bill does close one door: it prevents tandem family bids within the same capitol, curbing joint runs that have turned provinces into private estates.
Still, this is a mild, carefully calibrated reform — designed not to offend a Congress allergic to genuine self-denial. It has merit, yes. But let’s be clear: it trims the branches, not the roots. And even this version faces an uphill fight in a Senate thick with siblings.
But as I said at the beginning, this could still be the start of something good. If it isn’t good enough for all of you — well, allow me to share more good news for this joyous season.
Senator Robin Padilla says he is not running in 2028.
Yes. No sequel.
The country will be spared another six years of legislative performance art, Facebook-poetry governance, and the persistent confusion between the Senate floor and a barangay group chat. No more national policymaking via cryptic posts, macho one-liners, or ideological shadowboxing conducted entirely online.
For once, the exit line arrived early — and voluntarily. Oh, what an early Christmas gift!
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SHORTBURSTS. For comments or reactions, email firingline@ymail.com or tweet @Side_View. Read current and past issues of this column at https://www.thephilbiznews.com