Ejercito backs Anti-Political Dynasty bill, says measure expands chance to serve
February 24, 2026
Senator JV Ejercito on Tuesday co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1901 under Committee Report No. 33, the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, describing the measure as “historic, long overdue,” and crucial to breaking the concentration of political power in a few families.
Ejercito stressed that political dynasties lie at the root of many of the country’s long-standing problems, including poverty, hunger and weak economic mobility.
“Some say we should focus on ‘bigger’ problems like poverty, hunger, or the economy before tackling dynasties. But these problems are limbs of the same body,” Ejercito said.
“Our economic and social progress is being jeopardized by a system that has not benefited Filipinos for a long time.”
Citing data from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Ejercito noted that 71 out of 82 provincial governments are still controlled by political families.
He also pointed to the growing number of so-called “obese” dynasties, where a single family fields five or more relatives across different elective posts in one election cycle.
“In some provinces, public office already operates like a family business. Congressman si Daddy, Governor si Mommy, Vice Governor si Ate, Mayor si Kuya, at si bunso, inihahanda na,” Ejercito said.
Within the legislative branch, Ejercito noted that more than half of district representatives seeking reelection belong to political dynasties. He also warned that the party-list system, originally designed to widen representation, has likewise been captured by dynastic interests.
“Power, whether political or economic, should be shared. Walang sinumang pamilya ang dapat na mag monopolyo ng kapangyarihan.”
Ejercito said he supports the bill not as a political favor, but as a democratic necessity. He stressed that the proposed measure adopts a clear and absolute definition of political dynasty and applies the ban across the board, with no exemptions.
He also pointed to the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act as proof that anti-dynasty provisions are both constitutional and workable, noting that the law introduced the country’s first explicit restriction on political dynasties.
Ejercito further recalled that then-Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., now President, chaired the Senate committee that steered the SK reforms, and noted that the administration now lists the Anti-Political Dynasty bill as a priority measure.
“The time to pass this measure is not next year, not next term, but now,” Ejercito said.
