Former Commission on Elections Commissioner Luie Guia shared why he became gung ho about pushing for a strong law against political dynasties after being initially fine with minimal restriction.
Guia is part of the “Dapat Isa Lang” movement pushing a people’s initiative for an anti-dynasty law that covers members of the same family up to the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity.
In a Facebook post, Guia said a study by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism showed him the extent of the political dynasties’ hold on power in the Philippines as of the 2025 elections.
The report revealed that 87 percent of provincial governors and 76 percent of city mayors come from political dynasties.
Members of dynasties also hold 83 percent of House district seats.
“I was shocked at how a relatively small number of families control so much of our government. I was also shocked at how blind I had been, as a supposed electoral reform advocate, to this reality—and how I had behaved as if the problem were not that serious,” Guia said.
He said these families can influence so many aspects of government. Even the impeachment process is affected.
“The adverse impact of dynastic politics on virtually every facet of our society is evident. The impeachment process for instance illustrates how dynastic ties can influence outcomes,” he said.
He noted that some academics will point out that not all political dynasties are bad.
He said this is true, but it is also clear that the concentration of power in a few families has discouraged many competent and capable citizens from considering public office.
This has limited voters’ choices and deprived them of possibly better leaders.
“Or, to put it more directly: we, the Filipino people, are denied the opportunity to choose from among a broader pool of competent citizens outside of familiar family names,” he said.
It is because of this that Guia said he is working for a stronger anti-dynasty law.
“Prohibiting political dynasties in the Philippine context is not about limiting the people’s choices. It is precisely the opposite. It is about opening up and expanding the pool of competent citizens from whom the Filipino people can choose their public leaders,” he said.
He also said it is more practical to call for a people’s initiative because a Congress populated with dynasty members would be hard pressed to pass a measure that will go against their interests.
Aside from covering relatives up to the fourth degree, the measure proposed by Dapat Isa Lang also seeks a cooling-off period after one term and for the family to be allowed only one member in a local post and in a national post.