MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) says it is prepared to implement a nationwide anti-political-dynasty law in the 2028 national and local elections, but lawmakers must act quickly if the measure is to take effect for that electoral cycle.
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COMELEC Chairman George Garcia said Friday, September 18, that the poll body supports the passage of an anti-political-dynasty law and is urging Congress to accelerate its deliberations.
Garcia said the timing is critical because the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2028 elections is scheduled for September 20 to 26, 2027. The commission needs sufficient time to prepare the implementing rules and regulations and determine how the new law would be applied during the filing period.
“The Comelec consistently supports an anti-political dynasty law. However, we are urging Congress to expedite the process if they intend to pass such a measure,” Garcia said, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Garcia emphasized that simply passing a law would not immediately resolve the implementation challenges. COMELEC would still have to formulate implementing rules and regulations, making it important for lawmakers to provide sufficiently clear provisions.
He said the legislation should be “brief, broad, and definite,” noting that the poll body must clearly understand Congress’ intent before it can draft the necessary regulations.
Supreme Court orders Congress to act
The COMELEC announcement comes just days after a major Supreme Court ruling involving the constitutional prohibition against political dynasties.
In its September 16, 2026 press briefer, the Supreme Court said Article II, Section 26 of the 1987 Constitution imposes a mandatory duty on Congress to enact a law prohibiting political dynasties.
The provision states that the State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties “as may be defined by law.”
The Court ruled that the phrase “as may be defined by law” gives Congress discretion to determine the definition and scope of the prohibition—but does not give lawmakers discretion to decide whether to enact the required law.
The Supreme Court further ruled that Congress’ failure to enact such legislation for 39 years constituted grave abuse of discretion and directed lawmakers to act with “utmost urgency.”
However, the Court also made an important distinction concerning COMELEC.
Because there is currently no nationwide law defining and prohibiting political dynasties, the Supreme Court said COMELEC cannot simply disqualify candidates or cancel certificates of candidacy on the ground that they belong to a political dynasty. A statutory definition and prohibition must first be enacted by Congress.
That makes the legislative timeline particularly significant for the 2028 elections.
House has already approved its version
Congress has already taken one major step.
The House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 8389, or the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, on third and final reading on June 3, 2026, by a vote of 267-20, with seven abstentions.
The measure was transmitted to the Senate on June 8.
The House version covers spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity in specified circumstances involving simultaneous or successive occupation of elective positions.
House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms Chair Zia Alonto Adiong said the chamber is prepared to enter bicameral discussions once the Senate finishes its version.
The Senate, meanwhile, has advanced Senate Bill No. 1901, which also addresses simultaneous and successive holding of certain elective positions by relatives within the second degree. The measure was still pending on second reading as of September 17.
Because the House and Senate versions are not identical, lawmakers will eventually have to reconcile their provisions before a final measure can reach the President.
The definition of a “political dynasty” remains a key issue
One of the biggest questions facing Congress is how broadly the final law should define a political dynasty.
The Supreme Court left Congress with authority to determine the specific definition and scope of the prohibition. The Court noted that the framers of the 1987 Constitution deliberately left those details to lawmakers after failing to agree on the precise family relationships and public positions that should be covered.
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has argued that the Court’s decision provides Congress with guidelines that could support a broader prohibition.
Carpio said the Supreme Court’s discussion contemplated restrictions involving simultaneous and successive candidacies and potentially relatives beyond the second degree, although these remain matters for Congress to determine through legislation.
This differs from the House proposal, which focuses on relatives within the second degree under specified circumstances.
The disagreement over the scope of the prohibition could therefore become one of the most consequential issues in the final legislative negotiations.
Palace also backs passage
Malacañang has said the anti-dynasty measure remains among the administration’s legislative priorities.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. agrees with the Supreme Court’s position that a law prohibiting political dynasties should be enacted.
However, Malacañang has also said the timetable for congressional action ultimately rests with Congress.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III likewise described the measure as a congressional priority and said the House is ready to work toward completing the legislation.
Why 2028 matters
For COMELEC, the issue is no longer simply whether Congress eventually passes an anti-dynasty law.
The question is whether it can be passed early enough for the commission to prepare for the 2028 elections.
COMELEC expects to begin receiving COCs for the May 2028 elections on September 20, 2027. Garcia said the poll body needs time to understand the final law, draft its implementing rules and regulations, and establish procedures before candidates formally file their candidacies.
Garcia nevertheless said COMELEC is ready to implement the measure if it becomes applicable to the 2028 polls.
The commission’s position places the next major step squarely before Congress: lawmakers must reconcile their respective proposals, approve a final version, and complete the legislative process in time for COMELEC to prepare the necessary rules.
After 39 years without a comprehensive enabling law, the Supreme Court has now declared that Congress has a constitutional duty to act.
The coming months will determine whether that mandate results in an enforceable nationwide anti-political-dynasty law before the 2028 election cycle—or whether further legislative delays push implementation beyond that election.
For now, COMELEC says it is ready. The remaining question is when Congress will finish the law that would give the commission the authority to enforce it.
