MANILA – Political dynasties, government contractors, incumbent officials, and former election candidates could soon be disqualified from serving as party-list nominees under a proposed law seeking to overhaul the country’s party-list system and restore it to its original purpose of representing marginalized sectors.
House Bill No. 9906, or the proposed New Party-List System Act, seeks sweeping reforms aimed at preventing traditional political interests from using the party-list system as an alternative route to congressional seats.
The measure, part of the administration’s priority legislative agenda under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), would impose stricter eligibility requirements, strengthen transparency rules, and expand oversight powers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III said the proposed reforms are designed to protect the integrity of the party-list system and ensure genuine representation for underrepresented sectors.
“Kung tunay tayong naninindigan para sa isang mas bukas, mas patas, at mas inklusibong demokrasya, dapat nating tiyakin na ang party-list system ay nananatiling tapat sa orihinal nitong layunin na bigyan ng boses at pagkakataong makilahok sa paggawa ng batas ang mga sektor at komunidad na kulang sa representasyon,” Dy said.
According to the bill’s explanatory note, the proposed legislation responds to growing concerns that some party-list organizations have become vehicles for political clans and established politicians seeking congressional representation through means originally intended for marginalized groups.
Among the measure’s key provisions is a prohibition on individuals related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to incumbent senators or members of the House of Representatives from serving as party-list nominees or representatives.
The bill would also disqualify incumbent elected officials and individuals or entities that have obtained government contracts, franchises, concessions, or public-private partnership agreements within five years before an election from participating as party-list nominees.
Corporate officers and controlling shareholders of companies with government contracts would likewise be barred from holding party-list positions.
In addition, former elected officials and previous candidates for public office would be required to observe a one-election-cycle waiting period before qualifying as party-list nominees.
To strengthen accountability, party-list organizations would be required to certify that they are not directly or indirectly controlled by political dynasties and that they have no links to individuals or entities with financial interests in government contracts.
The measure would also require party-list groups to maintain financial records, submit annual financial reports, and disclose major contributions and sources of funding.
Under the proposal, the Comelec would be authorized to conduct audits and impose sanctions on organizations that fail to comply with disclosure and reporting requirements.
The proposed New Party-List System Act complements the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty Act, which was recently approved by the House of Representatives on third reading.
Supporters of the measure said the reforms aim to expand political participation, improve accountability, and restore public trust in the party-list system as a mechanism for democratic representation./PN
