Anti-Dynasty Network

16/09/2026

The SC unanimously declared that Article II, Section 26 of the Constitution requires Congress to enact a law prohibiting political dynasties. The SC held that Congress’ failure to do so for 39 years constitutes grave abuse of discretion.

The Court directed Congress to comply with its mandatory constitutional duty to enact an anti-political dynasty law at the earliest opportunity, define political dynasties, and determine the scope of the prohibition.

Supreme Court building /INQUIRER PHOTO [Updated Sept. 16, 2026, 5:38 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has ruled that 39 years of waiting is enough, as it compels Congress to pass

28/08/2026

An interesting facet of the Anti-Dynasty Network (ADN) is the participation of scions of highly influential political families. This week, we feature some of our notable “dynasts against dynasties” who are committed to the passage of a genuine anti-dynasty law.

Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Nubla Sotto is the current Mayor of Pasig City. In 2019, he defeated the twenty-seven year old dynasty of the powerful Eusebios. Now in his third and last term as City Mayor, Vico has consistently demonstrated that public services can be delivered without resorting to corruption or patronage politics and that this kind of governance is, in fact, more efficient and impactful. Despite being the son of celebrity parents Coney Reyes and Vic Sotto, and the nephew of former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, he has never relied on his influential family name in his governance of Pasig City. Instead, he has assembled and mobilized a team of dedicated public servants and has been a relentless champion of government transparency and accountability, participatory governance, and non-dynastic, transformative politics.

Please join us in the advocacy for a Philippine law that will remove or at least weaken the stranglehold of dynasties in our political system. Let us continue monitoring developments in the House of Representatives and the Senate and keep on pushing for genuine anti-dynasty legislation.

27/08/2026

An interesting facet of the Anti-Dynasty Network (ADN) is the participation of scions of highly influential political families. This week, we feature some of our notable “dynasts against dynasties” who are committed to the passage of a genuine anti-dynasty law.

Michaela Francesca "Mikee" Defensor is a lawyer. She is the daughter of former DENR Secretary and former Anakalusugan Party list Representative, Michael “Mike” Defensor and grandniece of former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Mikee has consistently refused any offer to run for elective posts, on the basis of her belief that public positions and public resources should not be ‘privatized’. She is a valuable reminder of the importance of individual agency amidst the pressure of dynastic politics.

Please join us in the advocacy for a Philippine law that will remove or at least weaken the stranglehold of dynasties in our political system. Let us continue monitoring developments in the House of Representatives and the Senate and keep on pushing for genuine anti-dynasty legislation.

26/08/2026

An interesting facet of the Anti-Dynasty Network (ADN) is the participation of scions of highly influential political families. This week, we feature some of our notable “dynasts against dynasties” who are committed to the passage of a genuine anti-dynasty law.

Lino Cayetano is the current General Manager of the state-owned People’s Television Network (PTV). He is an accomplished television and film director and producer, and the former Mayor of Taguig City. “Direk Lino” belongs to the Cayetano family of Taguig, is the son of former Senator Rene Cayetano and brother of Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano. Despite the prominence of his family in local and national politics, Direk Lino continues to keep his feet on the ground. He strongly believes that political dynasties don’t necessarily get the job done and that dynasties, in fact, hinder genuine representation of the many sections of Philippine society.

Please join us in the advocacy for a Philippine law that will remove or at least weaken the stranglehold of dynasties in our political system. Let us continue monitoring developments in the House of Representatives and the Senate and keep on pushing for genuine anti-dynasty legislation.

25/08/2026

An interesting facet of the Anti-Dynasty Network (ADN) is the participation of scions of highly influential political families. This week, we feature some of our notable “dynasts against dynasties” who are committed to the passage of a genuine anti-dynasty law.

Joseph Francisco “Jeff” Ortega is the current Chairperson and CEO (Undersecretary) of the National Youth Commission and former Regional Director of the Department of Tourism Region 1. He belongs to one of the most enduring dynasties in the country: the Ortegas of La Union. Despite this background, Jeff believes in inclusive politics and governance and is committed to levelling the political playing field towards more mass-based and genuine representation in Philippine institutions.

Please join us in the advocacy for a Philippine law that will remove or at least weaken the stranglehold of dynasties in our political system. Let us continue monitoring developments in the House of Representatives and the Senate and keep on pushing for genuine anti-dynasty legislation.

24/08/2026

An interesting facet of the Anti-Dynasty Network (ADN) is the participation of scions of highly influential political families. This week, we feature some of our notable “dynasts against dynasties” who are committed to the passage of a genuine anti-dynasty law.

Mr. Francis “Kiko” Dee teaches political science at the University of the Philippines - Diliman and is one of the co-convenors and spokespersons of Tindig Pilipinas, a prominent coalition of pro-democracy groups. He is the grandson of former President Cory Aquino and former Senator Ninoy Aquino, and nephew of the former President Noynoy Aquino. Kiko is a staunch believer that citizen participation in governance is key – with or without dynasties. And that, in fact, citizen participation and representative institutions, not dynasties, should be dominant.

Please join us in the advocacy for a Philippine law that will remove or at least weaken the stranglehold of dynasties in our political system. Let us continue monitoring developments in the House of Representatives and the Senate and keep on pushing for genuine anti-dynasty legislation.

27/07/2026

Last July 18, the Anti-Dynasty Network (ADN) held its second meeting of signatories. The meeting served as a space to provide important updates regarding its planned Political Dynasty Tracker and the movement of the anti-political dynasty bills in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

During the meeting, ADN resolved to continue lobbying for genuine and meaningful anti-dynasty reforms and also recognized the efforts of the Dapat Isa Lang Movement's for a people's initiative as a helpful endeavor to parallel lobbying activities. ADN also intends to pursue consensus building on ideal provisions on at least two more pieces of legislation: party list reform and party development reform.

08/05/2026

Ateneo de Manila University supports the passage of an anti-dynasty law

"The Ateneo de Manila University strongly supports the passage of an Anti-Political Dynasty law... while we do need to regulate political dynasties, we also need to transform the system that enables them."

Read the University statement supporting the passage of an Anti-Dynasty Law. https://go.ateneo.edu/Anti-Dynasty

13/03/2026

Pulse Asia’s latest survey (February–March 2026) shows that 64% of Filipino adults agree with passing a law that limits or prohibits political dynasties.

In the December 2025 Pulse Asia survey, a slight majority (54%) said Congress should pass an anti-dynasty law. While the question in this latest survey round is phrased differently, public support for regulating political dynasties appears even stronger.

The survey also shows that majority of Filipinos support key provisions that groups like ADN consider essential in an anti-dynasty law:

• Apply the ban to both national and local positions: 76%

• Ban succession (relatives replacing each other in the same position): 69%

• Ban relatives from holding national and local posts simultaneously: 70%

• Ban relatives from holding multiple local positions simultaneously: 67%

• Ban relatives from holding multiple national positions simultaneously: 72%

Napakalinaw ang mensahe ng publiko: ipasa ang tunay na anti-political dynasty law.

11/03/2026

Update as of today’s session at the Senate and the House of Representatives:

The Senate has adjourned today without conducting the expected interpellation on the Anti-Dynasty Bill.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is still in session, but discussions on the floor are currently focused on other measures, particularly the excise tax bill, and not yet on the Anti-Dynasty Bill.

With only a few session days left before Congress goes on recess on March 18, the timeline for passing the bill this period is becoming tighter.

We will continue to monitor developments in both chambers. Let us remain vigilant.