Senators seek reform of party-list system

MANILA, Philippines — Senators have pushed for reforms to the party-list system, which is supposed to help the poor and marginalized but is being exploited by the rich and powerful.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and detained Sen. Leila de Lima cited in their separate statements the case of Duterte Youth party-list nominee Ronald Cardema, who has been disqualified by the Commission on Elections from serving as House representative.

The poll body ruled that Cardema, who is already 34 years old, could not represent the youth sector as he claimed in his certificate of nomination because the law provides that a representative of the youth should not be older than 30 years old on the day of election.

De Lima said the protracted issue involving Duterte Youth was “a clear case of exploiting the party-list system by known allies of the present administration to earn a seat in Congress.”

“While its intent is laudable, the law has been bastardized by moneyed politicians and businessmen and their dummies in order to gain political power courtesy of the loopholes and weaknesses of the present party-list system,” she added.

De Lima filed Senate Bill 372, which aims to reform the party-list system and ensure that only the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors of society are genuinely represented in the lawmaking process.

It seeks to clearly define the term “bona fide member” of a party to ensure that only those who genuinely belong to the marginalized sectors will act as their representatives.

Drilon noted how “the current party-list system was exploited by powerful political clans to strengthen their hold on power.”

“Every election we would see millionaires, even billionaires, claiming to represent the poorest sector of society. I don’t think that is the intent of the Constitution,” Drilon said.

Article VI, Section 5 (2) of the Constitution states: “(2) The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty per centum of the total number of representatives including those under the party list. For three consecutive terms after the ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to party-list representatives shall be filled, as provided by law, by selection or election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector.”

“This 18th Congress should make a legacy. It must be remembered as the Congress that sets aside politics and personal interest, and successfully reforms the party-list system and our political party system,” he added.

Drilon filed Senate Bill 12 that also seeks to strengthen the political system in the country, prevent political party switching and level the playing field among parties.

He cited the Cardema case as “Exhibit A, which clearly shows how the party-list system could easily be manipulated and is prone to abuse.” – With Cecille Suerte Felipe