1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nat Oducado on Monday emphasized the dominance of political dynasties in Congress, revealing that around 80 percent of members of the House of Representatives come from political families, a reality he says weakens genuine representation and slows down long-overdue reforms.
In an interview on DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, Oducado said that the overwhelming presence of dynastic lawmakers explains why efforts to pass an Anti-Political Dynasty Enabling Law have stalled for decades despite being mandated by the Constitution.
“Mukhang kailangan na talaga i-shift na ang Congress, House of Representatives, to dapat naman maging House of the People naman," Oducado noted.
Citing data from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), Oducado noted that dynasties dominate elective positions nationwide. According to the report, 113 out of 149 city mayors come from political families, while 71 of 82 provincial governors are also members of dynasties. In the House of Representatives, he said, as much as 80 percent of lawmakers belong to political clans.
He described political dynasties as a social justice issue rooted in inequality, where power and government resources remain concentrated within a few families, leaving little space for ordinary but qualified citizens to enter public service.
Despite this, Oducado expressed cautious optimism, saying some younger lawmakers from political families are now open to reforms that would regulate the concentration of power.
“Well surprisingly, there are some, especially yung mga next generation of leaders coming from dynasties, who are very willing and are listening na dapat medyo may changes or may regulation in terms of concentration of power. And I think this is a good start," he said.
Oducado backs urgent passage of anti-political dynasty law
Oducado backs President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s call to prioritize the passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Enabling Law and supports proposals to certify the measure as urgent.
Oducado said it is “high time” for lawmakers to act on a long-delayed constitutional mandate.
"If tignan natin yung history kasi ng deliberations ng Constitution, it was well argued by Commissioner Laredo na political dynasties is actually a social justice problem. Result siya ng socio-economic inequality sa Pilipinas," he added.
He said breaking the 80-percent dominance in the House is key to restoring public trust and ensuring real representation.
Oducado favors prohibiting political dynasties up to the second degree of consanguinity and affinity, with clear distinctions between national and local positions. Under his proposal, immediate family members—such as spouses, parents, and children—would be barred from running simultaneously for the same level of office. Cousins, considered third-degree relatives, would still be allowed to run.
"Ako on my end, dapat may prohibition up to second degree. And then we separate national sa local. Kasi minsan, nakahalo natin. So for me, meron kang tumakbo sa national up to second degree, wala nang pwedeng tumakbo national. Local, pag may tumakbo na sa up to second degree, bawal nang tumakbo within that family. Para naman may talagang totoong equal opportunity na makapag-participate yung walang machinery and then hindi popular but qualified na leaders," he said.
The party-list lawmaker also expressed support for calls to certify the anti-dynasty bill as urgent. He added that doing so would send a strong signal of the administration’s commitment to political reform and could cement the measure as a lasting legacy of the President.
“Mahirap pero hindi impossible. Especially with the next generation. I see na they really want leaders that understand their generation, speak their language. Mukhang nakikita ko po may pag-asa po itong maipasa," the lawmaker noted.
