HOUSE Speaker Faustino Dy III on Friday reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives of the Philippines to pass a fair, just, and implementable Anti-Political Dynasty Law in the 20th Congress, as lawmakers conducted the Mindanao leg of nationwide consultations in Cagayan de Oro.
He emphasized that the consultations aim to gather inputs from various sectors to help craft a measure that promotes equal opportunities in public service while ensuring that the proposed law remains practical and enforceable.
In a video message to stakeholders gathered at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Dy stressed that the goal is not merely to fulfill a constitutional mandate, but to craft a measure that can stand legal scrutiny and work effectively on the ground.
“Mga kababayan, we are serious about passing a fair, just, and implementable Anti-Political Dynasty Law in the 20th Congress,” Dy said.
A total of 24 anti-political dynasty bills have been filed in the House, including House Bill No. 6771 authored by Dy and House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos — all seeking to define prohibited family relationships and set clear limits on the holding of elective public office.
The regional consultations are being conducted by the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms chaired by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who has been leading the three-island dialogue to gather public input before consolidating the measures.
Dy underscored that any final version of the proposed law must emerge from wide, inclusive and sincere consultations across the country.
“We are equally firm in our belief that any law we pass must be the product of wide, inclusive, and sincere consultation — isang batas na maingat na binalangkas, masusing pinag-aralan, at nakaugat sa tunay na saloobin ng mga Pilipino,” he said.
The Cagayan de Oro consultation marks the Mindanao leg of the three-island consultation series, following earlier hearings in Carmona, Cavite, and Cebu City.
The regional rollout is designed to ensure that Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are equally heard before the proposed measure is finalized.
Dy thanked residents of Cavite and Cebu for setting the tone of the earlier consultations, describing their participation as active, candid and deeply reflective of real-life experiences.
He noted that the prior consultations clarified the delicate balance lawmakers must strike between protecting the people’s right to choose their leaders and expanding opportunities for public service to a broader range of Filipinos.
Turning to Mindanao stakeholders, the Speaker emphasized that the House deliberately brought the hearings to Cagayan de Oro to capture regional perspectives that are often underrepresented in national debates.
“Ngayon naman po ay lumalapit ang Kongreso sa inyo, mga mahal naming taga-Mindanao, dahil ang inyong tinig at damdamin ay aming pinahahalagahan at isinasaalang-alang,” he said.
As discussions continued, Dy called for open, respectful and substantive exchanges, assuring participants that the House was prepared not only to listen but to act.
“Habang nagpapatuloy ang mga talakayang ito, hinihiling namin na manatiling bukas, magalang, at makabuluhan ang ating mga diskusyon. Ang Kapulungan ay handang makinig at kumilos para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa.”
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