LAMENTING how the party-list representation in the House of Representatives has been overrun by political dynasties and millionaires, senators are studying a number of changes to the current part-list system.
Indeed, more new groups claiming to represent supposedly marginalized sectors are applying at the Commission on Elections (Comelec). This proliferation of purported sectoral groups needs to be kept in check to prevent the party-list system from being abused.
This concern is not new. As early as 2016, the n President Duterte himself said he wanted the party-list system stricken out of the Constitution. He said party-lists āabusedā 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. The so-called ābackdoor entryā. There is even this ugly practice of substitution of party-list nominees, which has raised suspicion that the system has been subjected to horse-trading.
Also, 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. To make sure that the spirit of the Party-list System Act is followed, the Comelec should really be strict in their criteria for accrediting party-list groups.
