The Commission on Elections is expecting a deluge of disqualification cases in the upcoming 2025 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election, with the introduction of an anti-dynasty provision in the BARMM local government code.

Political dynasties banned in BARMM parliament polls

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the BLGC anti-dynasty provision prohibits local officials' family members of second-degree of consanguinity (blood relations) or affinity (by marriage) from running for elective posts in the same province, city, municipality or village.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco earlier said the provision is included in Comelec Resolution 10984.

“Bawal po ang nanay, tatay, lolo, lola, asawa, pati po yung anak at apo. Yan po kasi yung umaabot sa second degree of affinity and consanguinity,” Laudiangco explained.

Garcia said Comelec is still waiting for the implementing rules and regulations of the anti-dynasty provision.

“Magkakamaganak halos lahat doon. Sa Maguindanao 4th and 5th district e lahat halos magpipinsan doon, baka walang makatakbo. Practically isang tribo ang nandun,” he said. 

The Comelec chief said the anti-dynasty provision is the BARMM’s attempt at “correcting what they see at the national level, of politics."

He noted that implementing the anti-dynasty provision does not mean the poll body will automatically disqualify a person for having the same last name as a sitting official in the same area.

“Kapag may nag akusa ng violation of anti-political dynasty, kailangan mapatunayan nila. Minsan hindi ma trace ‘yung lineage or relationships,” he said.

He also noted that in the last Sangguniang Kabataan elections, the poll body received some 5,000 disqualification cases against electoral candidates questioning the age of the poll bets.

Filing of these cases, he said, could be used to disrupt an electoral campaign and even lower a candidate’s votes.