Senator Risa Hontiveros is calling on the Senate to resume deliberations on the proposed anti-political dynasty law following a Supreme Court directive for Congress to enact the measure required under the Constitution.
Hontiveros said Senate Bill 1901, contained in Committee Report 33, has already undergone hearings and reached the period of interpellations, arguing that the legislative process need not start from the beginning despite changes in committee leadership.
“My version does not have to prevail. It also does not matter who sponsors it. What matters is that the law moves forward,” Hontiveros said in a manifestation in plenary Wednesday.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. placed the anti-political dynasty measure among the administration’s priority bills during a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting in December 2025. Malacañang has since said the President wants the measure enacted within his term.
The House of Representatives approved its version, House Bill 8389, on third and final reading on June 3, with 267 lawmakers voting in favor, 20 against and seven abstaining. The measure was transmitted to the Senate on June 8.
Hontiveros, who previously chaired the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, led consultations in several areas before the panel consolidated various proposals into Senate Bill 1901.
The measure seeks to prohibit political dynasties in national and local elective positions, including party-list representation.
Hontiveros said she is prepared to turn over the work already completed and remains open to amendments, including changes to the degree of family relationship covered and the scope of the prohibition.
Her appeal followed a Supreme Court ruling that Congress has a constitutional duty to define and prohibit political dynasties and that the prolonged failure to enact an enabling law constituted grave abuse of discretion.
The Court directed Congress to comply with Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution “at the earliest opportunity.”
Hontiveros said the ruling gives lawmakers an opportunity to continue from the work already completed instead of restarting the legislative process.
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