Seen as a vital partner measure of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law, a bill seeking to overhaul the electoral party-list system has been filed by House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III.

House Bill (HB) No. 9906, or the proposed New Party-List System Act, intends to implement sweeping safeguards against political dynasties, conflicts of interest, and undue political influence in the party-list system.

Dy described the measure as part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s electoral system and strengthen democratic representation. It was filed at the House of Representatives on Monday, June 22.

The bill includes provisions that would prohibit individuals closely connected to incumbent members of Congress, government contractors, and certain former elective officials from serving as party-list nominees.

The measure is a Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority bill and is among the Marcos administration’s key legislative reform measures.

That members of the Party-List Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) filed the bill with Dy showed that even incumbent party-list solons in the House of Representatives no longer want the status quo.

Also filing the bill were Rep. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. of TGP Party-list, Rep. Jude Acidre of Tingog Party-list, Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza of TUCP Party-list, Rep. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list, Rep. Brian Poe of FPJ Panday Bayanihan Party-list, Rep. JC Abalos of 4Ps Party-list, and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan of 4Ps Party-list.

Recently, the House of Representatives passed on third and final reading for the first in its history a proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Law, embodied in HB No. 8389. It prohibits spouses and relatives within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity from simultaneously holding or seeking elective posts within the same political jurisdiction.

HB No.8389 has been assailed for being weak and watered down, to the point of actually "legalizing" political dynasties. The House leadership has maintained that it is a good first step, with the belief that the accompanying New Party-List System Act would split the difference with critics.

“Ang party-list system ay nilikha upang palawakin ang representasyon, hindi upang palawakin ang kapangyarihan ng iilang pamilya,” said Dy, who represents Isabela's 6th district.

(The party-list system was created to broaden representation, not to broaden the power of a few families.)

“Kung tunay tayong naninindigan para sa isang mas bukas, mas patas, at mas inklusibong demokrasya, dapat nating tiyakin na ang party-list system ay nananatiling tapat sa orihinal nitong layunin na bigyan ng boses at pagkakataong makilahok sa paggawa ng batas ang mga sektor at komunidad na kulang sa representasyon,” he said.

(If we truly stand for a more open, fair, and inclusive democracy, we must ensure that the party-list system remains faithful to its original purpose of giving voice and opportunity to sectors and communities that lack representation.)

Under HB No. 9906, any person related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to a sitting member of the Senate or House of Representatives would be disqualified from being nominated or serving as a party-list representative.

The measure also disqualifies incumbent elective officials, as well as individuals who have been awarded government contracts, concessions, franchises, or public-private partnership agreements within five years before the election.

Officers and controlling shareholders of corporations with government contracts would likewise be prohibited from serving as nominees.

Former elective officials and candidates would also be required to observe a one-election-cycle cooling-off period before becoming party-list nominees.

In addition, the bill requires party-list organizations to certify that they are not directly or indirectly established by political dynasties and are not linked to individuals with beneficial interests in government contracts.

The measure cites concerns that some party-list groups have become vulnerable to capture by traditional political interests, allowing individuals associated with political dynasties or traditional electoral politics to use the system as an alternative route to legislative office.

Dy noted that HB No. 9906 forms part of a broader package of electoral and political reforms being advanced by the House of Representatives to strengthen democratic institutions, improve public trust in government, and expand opportunities for meaningful participation in governance.

The bill also strengthens transparency requirements by requiring party-list organizations to maintain financial records, submit annual financial reports, and disclose significant contributions. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) would be authorized to conduct audits and impose sanctions for noncompliance.

According to Dy, the reforms are intended to protect the integrity of the party-list system and restore public trust in one of the Constitution’s most important mechanisms for democratic representation.