Con-con, anti-dynasty bills filed in House

MANILA, Philippines — After years in the doldrums, Charter change efforts have received a new lease on life in the House of Representatives with the filing of a measure seeking the convening of a constitutional convention (con-con) to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

Lawmakers have also made another push for the abolition of political dynasties, with the filing of a “comprehensive” anti-dynasty bill.

Through House Bill 5870, the National Unity Party led by its chairman, deputy speaker and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno, has pushed for amendments to the Constitution through what it calls participatory and democratic process that is representative of the Filipino people. The NUP has 43 members in the House.

The Akbayan reform bloc, for its part, yesterday filed House Bill 5905 bill defining political dynasties clearly and specifying prohibited familial relationships among candidates and elected officials.

Its authors – Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, Dadah Kiram Ismula and Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands –  said the measure is designed to broaden leadership, open democratic spaces and give reform-oriented leaders a fair chance to serve.

The Makabayan bloc, meanwhile, reminded the House leadership of the latter’s commitment to support anti-dynasty measures that the bloc filed at the start of the 20th Congress.

The Cha-cha bill authored by Puno and several other lawmakers mandates that a con-con be convened no later than July 15, 2026 and complete its work within one year, unless extended by law.

Any proposed amendments or revisions would be submitted to a plebiscite within 60 to 90 days after approval, in accordance with Article XVII of the Constitution.

“For nearly four decades, the 1987 Constitution has anchored our democracy. But experience has shown that ambiguities, procedural lapses and outdated provisions have created confusion and weakened institutional accountability,” the authors of HB 5870 said in its explanatory note.

“This measure seeks to fulfill – not discard – the 1987 Constitution: to correct its errors, complete its intent and reinforce its authority with clarity and coherence,” it added.

Under the proposal, 150 delegates would be elected on May 11, 2026, with representation drawn from all 18 administrative regions, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Each region will elect three base delegates, with additional delegates apportioned according to population, ensuring balanced and inclusive representation.

There will be no appointive delegates – unlike in previous conventions – to further insulate the body from political influence.

The measure specifies that delegates must be natural-born citizens, at least 25 years old, holders of college degrees and independent from political office, with a one-year ban on seeking any public post after the convention adjourns.

“The constitutional convention offers the most prudent, participatory and legitimate mechanism for reform,” Puno said in a statement.

“It invites the nation to confront enduring constitutional ambiguities through reasoned debate, anchored in the rule of law and the people’s voice,” he added.

‘Textual inconsistencies’

According to its authors, HB 5870 underscores that reform must focus on clarifying textual inconsistencies.

These include provisions involving impeachment proceedings, amnesty grants, tax exemptions and the composition of the Judicial and Bar Council.

“A Constitution that lacks textual precision ceases to serve as a reliable guide for government action,” the authors said.

“This initiative is a commitment to a living Constitution – one that evolves with the times while preserving constitutional fidelity and the rule of law,” they added.

In filing an anti-dynasty bill, the Akbayan reform bloc said “we cannot call ourselves a democracy if power keeps circulating among the same families.”

“At stake here is the promise of democratic equality. It’s time to widen the door so leadership truly comes from the people,” it pointed out.

“Our Constitution is a mandate that must be upheld. Sadly, political dynasties have grown in defiance of that mandate. We should finally put a stop to this by passing this bill so we can end corruption and the rule of the few, giving others the opportunity to serve our countrymen,” Diokno said.

“We should not just be passing an Anti-Political Dynasty Law for the sake of doing so. It should be comprehensive. There should be no sacred cows. Dynasties not only monopolize political power and economic opportunity in the hands of a few, they are also opportunities for corruption,” Cendaña said.

“Public office is meant for service, not family inheritance. Leadership should go to those who step up for the many, not those who simply protect power for the few,” according to Ismula.

“For me, the real dragons are poverty, inequality and underdevelopment. This bill ensures that capable leaders from communities can tackle those challenges without being blocked by inherited power,” Bag-ao said.

Speaker dared

The Makabayan bloc, meanwhile, challenged Speaker Faustino Dy III to prove his commitment to the anti-dynasty reform act.

“We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, have filed House Bill Nos. 209 and 4784, the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, on the first day of the 20th Congress as an enabling law to finally enforce Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution which explicitly prohibits political dynasties,” the Makabayan bloc said in a statement.

“We challenge the House leadership to prove their sincerity by supporting and fast-tracking HB Nos. 209 and 4784 – a true anti-political dynasty measure with clear and uncompromising provisions,” it added.

“While we note Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III’s promise to file an anti-political dynasty bill, we remain deeply skeptical. History has shown us that political dynasties themselves have repeatedly blocked genuine reform,” members of the bloc lamented.

Makabayan said the provisions of HB 209 and 4784 are comprehensive, with no room for loopholes.

“No person shall hold or run for any elective national or local office simultaneously with another relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity. Additionally, no person within the prohibited civil degree of relationship to an incumbent elected official shall immediately succeed to that official’s position,” the bloc said.