The House of Representatives failed to pass the anti-political dynasty bill on second reading before adjourning session at about 11 p.m. on Wednesday.

Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said yesterday the committee on suffrage and electoral reform would still have to iron out the differences between the bill’s authors and many congressmen who wanted proposed restriction on political dynasties relaxed.

He said the committee would try to come up with a new version when Congress reconvenes in July.

Under the present version of the bill, only two members of a political family would be allowed to occupy elective offices at the same time. All other relatives would be banned from running in an election, whether national or local, as long as the two are in office.

However, congressmen who belong to political dynasties want the proposed restriction eased to allow more family members to seek office in other districts, provinces, cities or towns that are far from the incumbents’ influence.

The committee on suffrage and electoral reform chaired by Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro was inclined to adopt the suggestion to relax the limitation.

Castro has in fact sought comments from authors of the original anti-dynasty bill.

One of them, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, said relaxing the restriction would effectively dilute the anti-dynasty bill.

“I noticed in the proposed committee amendments that succession is no longer prohibited. Additionally, dynasty prohibition will no longer apply if the ‘third’ relative runs for an elective post in another province, city, municipality or barangay,” he said.

“As of now, I fail to see a reasonable basis for the proposed amendments of our colleagues, which essentially dilute the essence of an anti-dynasty law,” he said.

“A reasonable but strict regulation of political dynasties is necessary if we are to fully achieve our aim at electoral reform,” he added.

Colmenares said that under his bill, only one member of a political dynasty would be allowed to seek elective office.

He pointed out that the committee’s version allowing two dynasty members to be holding elective posts at the same time is already a compromise to his stricter proposal.

However, he stressed that removing the prohibition against succession and allowing a third relative to run in another province, city or town would further water down the anti-dynasty bill.

Another author of the original measure, Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice, said the committee’s version allowing two political dynasty members to occupy elective offices at the same time instead of just one is a “100-percent concession” from proponents of a strict restriction.

He said the original bill would adversely affect at least 150 or more than half of the 290-member House.

“That is because the proposed dynasty ban covers the spouse, children, sisters and brothers, and grandchildren of an incumbent elective official, whether national or local. With at least 150 House members affected, we are facing a difficult battle,” he said.