ONE of the reasons being invoked by those pushing for Charter Change is the party-list system. It is supposedly being hijacked by the communists, citing the several progressive groups that secured seats in the House of Representatives. This reasoning is selective, self-serving and hypocritical.
The Party-list System Act (Republic Act 7941), enacted in 1995, is supposed to “enable Filipino citizens belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties… to become members of the House of Representatives (Sec. 2, Declaration of Principles).” This law is for those 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.
However, year after year, data on the net worth of the members of the House of Representatives show that the party-list system is rich in contradiction and poor in execution. At one point in 2017, one of the richest legislators was from a party-list – with a staggering net worth of P7.01 billion. Calling this a mockery of the law is an understatement.
On April 5, 2013 the Supreme Court, voting 10-2-1, said, “National parties or organizations and regional parties or organizations do not need to organize along sectoral lines and do not need to represent any marginalized and underrepresented’ sector.”
Now, given that several party-list representatives are among the richest legislators, it is clear traditional politicians and political dynasties have benefited most from the High Court’s decision.
It is imperative for the Supreme Court to review its 2013 decision and reaffirm what then Justice Artemio Panganiban wrote as regards Bagong Bayani v. Comelec in 2001. Nineteen years ago, Panganiban stressed that the Party-list System Act, which was “crafted to address the peculiar disadvantages of Payatas hovel dwellers, cannot be appropriated by the mansion owners of Forbes Park.”
The ruling elite, especially the political dynasties, should not appropriate the party-list system to add more seats among themselves, paying lip service to representing the marginalized and underrepresented. The party-list system belongs not to them but to those they claim to represent but continue to exploit.
