Amid incessant criticisms on House Bill (HB) No.6771 or the House leadership's version of the Anti-Political Dynasty Act, Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong reiterated on Saturday, Dec. 13 his commitment to produce a measure that is truly acceptable and beneficial to Filipinos.

Adiong chairs the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, which will be handling discussions on measures seeking to finally enforce the ban on political dynasties that's expressly provided for in the 1987 Constitution.

“As of this writing, there are at least 14 versions of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Bill pending before our committee,” Adiong, a House deputy majority leader, said.

“Like any other proposed legislation, the committee members will thoroughly deliberate on each of these measures during our hearings. We welcome and encourage the views, suggestions, and recommendations of our colleagues in the House of Representatives so we can arrive at the best possible version for our country,” he said.

Last Dec. 10, House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III and presidential son Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos jointly penned and filed House Bill (HB) No.6771, their version of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act.

While various similar bills have been filed in the current 20th Congress, the bill being pushed by the House leadership is expected to be used as the template measure of the suffrage panel.

House minority bloc members Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, and Makabayan bloc lawmakers have all aired concerns regarding HB No.6771.

They called the bill watered down, as if if was an legitimize the status quo of poltical clans holding multiple elective positions in the same local government unit (LGU) or even district. In this regard, HB No.6771, was deceptive, they claimed.

In a recent dialogue with Dy, Chairman Adiong emphasized that the committee will bring the discussion to the grassroots level to ensure genuine public participation.

“The Filipino people must have real ownership of this process. We will conduct extensive public consultations and hearings nationwide so every voice can be heard and considered,” he stressed.

The Anti-Political Dynasty Act is among the measures identified as legislative priorities of the House of Representatives under Dy.

This commitment was further strengthened when President Marcos formally requested Congress to prioritize the immediate passage of an enabling law that will finally implement genuine political reform.

Adiong has assured the public that the committee is fully committed to delivering a measure that upholds democratic principles and promotes political inclusivity.