SEN. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has filed a bill seeking to introduce amendments to RA 7941, or the Party-List System Act, to ensure that those who run under the system are genuine representatives of marginalized or unrepresented sectors of society.
Dela Rosa said the 1987 Constitution introduced the party-list system as a mechanism to broaden democratic representation, particularly for the marginalized and unrepresented sectors of society, but “decades into its implementation, the nation has realized that clearly, intent is not everything.”
“The integrity of the party-list system has come under question. Certain groups have entered Congress not as genuine representatives of marginalized sectors, but as vehicles for ideological or political interests that run counter to the spirit of the Constitution,” Dela Rosa said in his bills’ explanatory note.
He said that a more pressing concern was the infiltration of groups with known links to rebels associated with local terrorist groups “which not only undermines public trust but also compromises national security and democratic institutions.”
Dela Rosa said his proposal will strengthen the safeguards of the party-list system by amending Section 6 of RA 7941 and expanding the grounds for the refusal or cancellation of registration of party-list groups, including the promotion or use of violence and unlawful acts involving vulnerable sectors such as children and youth; and any form of association or support for designated terrorist groups under RA 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
He said the proposed measure does not seek to suppress legitimate social representation but aims to restore the system to its rightful purpose, which is to uplift the marginalized and to ensure a responsive and inclusive legislative process.
“Democracy must protect its space – not just to allow dissent, but to preserve order, legitimacy, and the peaceful contest of ideas. The party-list was never meant to be a trojan horse for anti-government or anti-democratic activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he wants to strengthen and upgrade the country’s fight against espionage and national security offenses.
Lacson filed is proposed “New Anti-Espionage Act,” which he said will boost and modernize the law against espionage and other offenses against national security, that he said dates back to 1941.
His proposal seeks to increase penalties for such offenses, and covers not only new technologies, but activities by foreign jurisdictions that can interfere with government affairs, as well.
The bill allows surveillance of suspects and interceptions and recording of communications after an order has been issued by the Court of Appeals.
He said recent technological advancements, along with the potential involvement of foreign jurisdictions in the country’s political and governmental affairs have exposed significant gaps in Commonwealth Act No. 616 and Article 117 of the Revised Penal Code, thus there is an urgent need to amend and modernize these laws.
The bill will expand the definition of espionage to include “physical, electronic, cyber, or any other means, which causes or tends to cause injury to the Philippines or gives, or tends to give advantage to a state, nation, entity, or individual, whether foreign or domestic.”
“This measure aims to strengthen the law by updating the penalties for the punishable acts. Particularly, the measure imposes higher penalties upon erring public officials, employees, and foreigners. The measure also provides for the extraterritorial application of the law. It likewise penalizes activities by foreign jurisdictions that could interfere with the political and government affairs of the country,” Lacson said.
From January to March this year, authorities have arrested five men for espionage activities in various parts of the country, while the Philippine Navy has recovered five underwater drones in different parts of the country from 2022 to 2024.
In May 2024, the PNP arrested a Chinese man for forcing a Filipino to deliver to his house and move to vital installations and public places a “Stingray” cell site stimulator that an be used to eavesdrop or even impersonate a party in a call.
Lacson said his bill will impose life imprisonment without parole and a fine ranging P5 million to P20 million to those who engage and comprise to engage in espionage and interference with the country’s internal affairs, including those who aid and abet them.
Government officials or employees found guilty of violating the measure will face absolute perpetual disqualification from any public office, and the maximum penalty under the bill.
For those who are not Philippine citizens, the government shall exercise jurisdiction only when the individual enters or is inside the country’s territory. Absent the request of extradition, the National Security Council shall refer the case to the Bureau of Immigration for deportation, or to the Department of Justice for prosecution “as if the act constituting the offense had been committed in the Philippines.”
Foreigners found guilty shall be deported immediately after serving their sentence and will be permanently barred from entering the country.
On the other hand, Palace press officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will review the bills proposing to legalize divorce, ban political dynasty and regulate internet and social media use of minors.
Castro said that if the bills will redound for the good of the public, the President would likely have a good response.
Castro said the proposal of Senator Panfilo Lacson to regulate the use of social media platforms among minors, for instance, is good and would protect the young from the harmful effects of overexposure and promote mental health. – With Jocelyn Reyes
