Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Thursday underscored the importance of hearing the voice of the people in the Visayas as the House of Representatives brought its nationwide consultations on the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act to Cebu City.
The Visayas leg of the regional hearings was held at the University of the Philippines Cebu, drawing stakeholders from across the region for discussions on the long-debated reform measure.
In a video message for the consultation, Dy said the House deliberately moved the discussions outside Metro Manila to ensure the measure reflects the sentiments of the entire country.
“Ngayon naman po ay lumalapit ang Kongreso sa inyo, mga mahal naming taga-Visayas, dahil ang inyong tinig at damdamin ay aming pinahahalagahan at isinasaalang-alang (Congress now approaches you, our dear Visayans, because we value and consider your voice and feelings),” he said.
The Cebu consultation follows the first round of hearings in Carmona, Cavite, and is part of a three-island cluster approach that also includes a Mindanao leg in Cagayan de Oro City.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the House leadership and implemented by the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, chaired by Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong.
Dy, together with House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, authored House Bill No. 6771, one of the 24 anti-political dynasty measures filed in the House, which seeks to finally implement the 1987 Constitution’s policy against political dynasties by defining prohibited family relationships and setting limits on holding elective office.
Dy thanked Cebu stakeholders for welcoming the consultation, calling their participation vital to shaping a law that is both constitutionally sound and grounded in lived realities.
He noted that lessons from the Cavite consultation demonstrated how deeply Filipinos care about the issue, with discussions marked by candor and thoughtful exchanges from differing perspectives.
The discussions, Dy said, were honest, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in real experiences.
“We heard both sides. And rather than divide us, these differing views strengthened our understanding of the complexities of the issue,” he said.
Dy stressed that reform will only gain legitimacy if it reflects the collective voice of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
“Ang Kapulungan ay handang makinig at kumilos para sa ikabubuti ng ating bansa (The House is ready to listen and act for the betterment of the country),” he said.
Meanwhile, Adiong urged the active participation of the people present at the event.
“Today, we are here to listen. You have the opportunity to help craft a key part of the rules that govern who may seek public office and under what conditions. The future is not something you wait for. It is something we build,” he said in his welcome remarks.
“If today’s Philippines is in loving hands, then let us express that love through responsible participation, thoughtful debate, and principled engagement. Love of country requires action. This is your opportunity to speak. It is our duty, as your representatives, to listen.”
Underscoring the participatory nature of the event, he said his committee is determined to listen to the voice of the people of the Visayas.
“No reform will be meaningful if it is crafted without the people it is meant to serve,” he said.
The public consultations aim to incorporate region-specific insights to ensure the legislation is enforceable, equitable, and sensitive to local contexts.
Key topics included the scope of prohibitions, such as degrees of consanguinity and affinity, the applicability to national and local positions, and enforcement mechanisms by the Commission on Elections. (With a report from Zaldy De Layola/PNA)