‘In 2013, the Supreme Court declared that party-list organizations “need not represent any ‘marginalized and underrepresented’ sector,” thereby opening the door to what one analyst calls “expanded dynasticism”…’
ONE of the most difficult choices registered voters will have to make come May 12 is probably selecting one party from 156 party-list options. Not unlike taking a toddler to a giant toy store and telling her to pick one.
Party-list representation in the House of Representatives is guaranteed by the Constitution and a law, Republic Act No. 7491 (“Party-List System Act”), that is celebrating its 30th year.
Article VI, Section 5(2) provides that “one-half of the seats allocated to party-list representatives shall be filled, as provided by law, by selection or election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector.”
Subsequently, the Party-List System Act promotes a system that allows certain organizations to become members of the House of Representatives. These are “registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof, which will enable Filipino citizens belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and who lack well-defined political constituencies but who could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole.”
According to the Constitution: “All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills, shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives.”
A key feature of most laws is appropriations, the amount necessary to implement the act. In the Philippines, these amounts are reflected in the yearly General Appropriations Act. This year’s GAA, RA 12116, is available at the Department of Budget and Management website.
In 2013, the Supreme Court declared that party-list organizations “need not represent any ‘marginalized and underrepresented’ sector,” thereby opening the door to what one analyst calls “expanded dynasticism” and a “distortion of the [party-list] system’s sectoral grassroots representation.”
As the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is bound to obey the Supreme Court, the choice is left to the voter.
Without identifying specific parties, we suggest voting for a party based on the following principles:
No duplication. Avoid those that are already represented in Congress by their district representatives. Choose one whose claimed constituency is not covered by a legislative district or whose advocacy is already being served by the Executive branch.
Legislative performance. Avoid those that, during their tenure, have not really advanced legislation appropriate to their advocacy. This can be measured primarily by the bills that their nominees have filed, co-authored, or supported. The performance of any House member, including party list representatives, can be viewed at https://www.congress.gov.ph/house-members
Legislative effectiveness. Avoid those that have served for, say, more than three consecutive terms. Unlike individual House members who serve as district representatives, party-list groups per se are not covered by term limits. Only their appointed representatives are. Perhaps, nine years should be sufficient and reasonable for a party to introduce, support or pass legislation that will benefit the marginalized and underrepresented. If after that time, a party has not succeeded in advancing legislation to uplift the conditions of their constituencies, it’s time to give others a chance.
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Gary Mariano taught full time for 35 years at De La Salle University where he once chaired the Department of Communication. A former chair of the Philippine Press Council, he was a member of the CHED Technical Committee for Journalism. In retirement, he helps promote local media-citizen councils, teaches part time, and serves at Our Lady of Beautiful Love parish.
