Marilao: Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday expressed optimism that the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act could be passed before the end of the current session following a series of public consultations in various parts of the country. In a chance interview during the fourth consultative meeting in Marilao, Bulacan, Hontiveros said inputs gathered from Pasig, Calamba, Bacolod, and Bulacan are now being consolidated into a committee report.

According to Philippines News Agency, the senator added that the panel remains within its desired timeframe to advance the measure. The consultations have surfaced key policy issues that lawmakers must settle before finalizing the bill. Among the major hurdles are reaching consensus on the degree of consanguinity to be covered, whether both national and local posts should be included, how party-list positions would be treated, and whether the prohibition should apply to consecutive terms, simultaneous positions, or both.

Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms, said that while her own bill seeks to prohibit political dynasties up to the fourth degree of consanguinity, the broader goal is to ensure that a meaningful and enforceable measure is enacted. She emphasized her commitment to pushing her bill as a member of the Senate and chair of the Electoral Reforms Committee, aiming to produce a bill that has value.

Hontiveros further noted that even if the final version falls short of the ideal scope, Congress can strengthen the law in future sessions after evaluating its implementation.