Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has filed Senate Bill No. (SBN) 1907 seeking to bar members of political dynasties from becoming or substituting as party-list nominees or representatives.
Filed on February 26, the measure amends Republic Act No. 7941 or the Party-List System Act. It prohibits spouses or relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity of incumbent national and local officials — from the President down to mayors and vice mayors — from joining or substituting in the party-list race.
The same ban applies to relatives of party-list nominees in the same election.
SBN 1907 also bans party-list nominees, representatives, or organizations from directly or indirectly holding government contracts. Nominees and their spouses or relatives within the second degree are likewise barred from being partners, directors, officers, members, or stockholders in firms with government contracts.
The Commission on Elections may motu propio or upon verified petition remove or disqualify nominees who lack qualifications or violate the prohibitions.
Pangilinan said the proposal aims to tighten safeguards, prevent conflicts of interest, and align the party-list system with its constitutional purpose of genuine sectoral representation.IMT
