MORE new groups claiming to represent supposedly marginalized sectors have applied to participate in next year’s party-list elections. But former Commission Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes said the proliferation of sectoral groups needs to be kept in check to prevent the party-list system from being abused.
His concern is not new. As early as 2016, President Duterte himself said he wanted the party-list system stricken out of the Constitution. He said party-lists “abused” the system, with the rich organizing groups of their own.
The spirit and logic of the party-list system is sound although it is also very limited. However narrow, by allotting seats in Congress for the marginalized and underrepresented, at least their voices would be heard and would be part in crafting legislation for their sectors.
But the sad truth is that many party-list groups were formed and/or are being abused by the rich and powerful to get more seats in Congress. It is no wonder that some groups bribe Commission on Elections officials to be accredited and some are selling their seats to the highest bidder.
During elections, rich and powerful party-list groups have the capacity to advertise their number on national TV. The poor party-list is at a disadvantage because their voters will not know the number of their party-list group.
Under the Constitution, only candidates from marginalized or underrepresented national, regional and sectoral parties are allowed to run as party-list representatives. When he was the Comelec chairman, Brillantes prohibited several party-lists from running but they were eventually allowed by the Supreme Court.
“They allowed it all as long as there is an advocacy without concern so everybody can participate, so it’s now all full,” Brillantes said.
To make sure that the spirit of the Party-list System Act is followed, the Commission on Elections should really be strict in their criteria for accrediting party-list groups.
