What is your view of partylist representation in the House of Representatives?

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Some say that the original House lawmakers can already serve us well without party list representatives. But did we not elect them?

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: I doubt the wisdom of partylist representation. Unlike district representatives of multi-interest constituents, it would tend to place the party ahead of the majority’s interest.

Do they represent the marginalized?

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: It seems that our Constitution has no strict definition of the “marginalized sector” being represented by party list representatives. The problem becomes worse with the proclamation of multi-millionaire Ma. Lourdes Tuazon Arroyo. It becomes also controversial due to the proclamation of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan. What marginalized sector is he representing? Better clarify the meaning of “marginalized sector” and the qualifications of the person to represent them.

Erwin Espinosa, Pangasinan: The party list representation in Congress brings more harm than good. Hindi kasi marginalized group talaga ang nairerepresent ng mga nananalo.

Leonard Villa, Bayac City: The said representation has been abused because not all sectors truly represent the marginalized. This is solid proof that our government is elitist and that the poor are always exploited and left out.

Johann Lucas, Qezon City: Party list representation can help promote a healthy democracy by providing citizens a voice in the House of Representatives, but this is contrary to what is happening in the House.

Sahlee Reyes, Las Pinas City:  The significance in the implementation and mainstreaming of the party list system in our Constitutional law is to enable our countrymen belonging to marginalized and underrepresented sectors of society to become members of the House of Representatives. It is their avenue to participate in policy-making in Congress. But as I see it, party list representation is virtually a dichotomy. Its existence now may be hinged on party programs, principles and platforms, but it may also be a venue for turncoatism on patronage for personalities or party.

Jess Ludovice, Metro Manila: There’s no true representation of the marginalized sector in our society of these so-called party list representatives. They are only after the pork and perks and nothing more. Party list representation must be abolished.

Edsil Landrito, Metro Manila: Maganda talaga ang concept at ang hangarin ng paglagay ng party list representatives in Congress. It was made for underrepresented sectors of our country, katulad ng mga manggagawa, magsasaka, indigenous people, etc. so they could have a voice in Congress. Ang problema lang ay inabuso at inaabuso ito ng ilang grupo for their own selfish interests. Kaya nagsulputan ang kung anu-anong grupo tulad ng FPJPM, Cibac, at Buhay. I really don’t understand why Comelec recognizes these groups! Di na rin ako magtataka kung sa 2010 ay magkaroon tayo ng party list groups representing Barangay Ginebra or Marian Rivera! 

There are too many of them

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: I think our Congress has too many party lists. While the intent is good, there are too many cooks in the proverbial soup to balance priorities equally.

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: Congress is now too crowded. Mediocrity and redundancy would show this. We don’t really need them. The bottom line is, more taxpayers’ money would be needed to cover much needed priorities. Plus, here comes Palparan, with militant overanxiety. Watch him; he’s blown the party lists’ left-leaning tendencies. Savvy?

A boon to democracy

Mario Tejada, Ilocos Norte: Party list’s presence in the House of Representatives makes our democracy more alive and dynamic. I don’t believe Congress would be any better in its performance without them.

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Party list representation is our government’s recognition of the democratic participation of marginalized groups in lawmaking. This is to ensure that laws, decrees, regulations and other legislation is well-crafted, with the point of view of the concerned sector included.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: Legitimate party list representations are a boon to our democratic ideals because all marginalized sectors of society would have a voice in Congress.

Elpidio Que, Vigan City: Party list representation is agreeable to me if it is with the likes of progressives Bayan Muna, Akbayan, Cibac, Anak Pawis and Gabriela. These are to balance the presence of trapo solons.

An added burden

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: They don’t deserve to be there. They’re a waste of billions in government funds, which could be used to uplift the life of our poor.

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Party list representation is proof of double representation in Congress. It’s a nonsensical way of spending taxpayers’ hard-earned money.

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: Party list representatives cause a drain in our national budget. We already have enough lawmakers elected from congressional districts.

Nick Ocampo, Angeles City: The additional 32 party list representatives are 32 more crosses for the Filipino people to bear.

Lydia Reyes Bataan: They are an additional nuisance in Congress and, of course, entail additional expenses to the government.

Dianne Aquino, Caloocan City: We already have more than enough elected representatives in the House. Additional party list representatives means an additional burden for us taxpayers.

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: It only means more pork barrel!

Ed Gulmatico, Yemen: Present-day realities show that the updated party list representation is the last nail in the coffin on the so-called Congress representation for the marginalized sectors. This is another big blow to our democratic system and a total mockery of the judicial and legislative branches of government by the executive branch. There will be no end to the Filipinos’ miseries and poverty due to dirty manipulation at every facet of life by evil political geniuses in our government! God bless the Philippines.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Party list representation in the House is another burden for Juan dela Cruz who has to source additional funds for their pork barrel.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: It used to be that party list representatives belonged to the “leftist” or “anti-government” but not anymore. The infamous Gen. Palparan and sister-in-law of the President are now sectoral representatives. Do we really need them The additional party list representatives will cost tax payers additional billions in allowances, salaries and pork barrel annually.

Nony de Leon, Bulacan: We do not need a bloated and expensive Congress. We need one that is compact and efficient.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: Where are we going? We’ve increased our non-essential operating costs by adding more idiots to participate in the division of spoils. What are the accomplishments of our present Congress that should entail additional representatives? Renaming streets, making towns cities and turning barangays into towns! With more representatives, we can expect more new street names and more comedians.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Ang kapal naman. They are additional burdens to us taxpayers. To add more insult to injury, why another Arroyo?

Most are left-leaning

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Most of these party list representatives are avowed communists under the guise of being cause-oriented. Ocampo, Casiño et al. are espousing a dead ideology.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Legitimate party list groups are good for the country. Militant party lists with insidious political agenda are just noise.

Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: If we are to call a spade as a spade, these party lists should be called leftist party lists instead! They are not representatives of the masses at all. If you observe them, they only react when leftists are concerned. Remember the beheading of Marines in Basilan? Pampagulo lang.  

Joel Caluag, Bulacan: Party list representatives are an added burden to taxpayers. Worst of all, leftist party list representatives are feasting on us.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: The purpose of the law is good, but it is being abused and has brought more harm than good because of leftist representatives. More members equals more ‘crocs’ in Congress. Party list representation in Congress was designed for the marginalized sector of society, but unfortunately, it has turned into accommodating political outcasts.

More Cha-cha lobbyists

Ella Arenas, Pangaasinan: The inclusion of party list representatives is a clear sign that the Palace is dead set on ratifying Charter change. Whoever thought of that idea is guided by the evil spirit. We all know that they are for the change.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: I don’t think there is a necessity for their inclusion. Budget-wise, it is an additional waste of expense. Their presence will not raise the quality of laws. They are there for a political reason: To increase GMA’s allies.

Jose Jumawan, Palawan: It’s a Trojan horse designed to outnumber those who are opposed to Charter change.

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: They’re additional Cha-cha lobbyists, no more, no less.

No need for these party lists

Rey Onate, Palayan City: I don’t see any relevance in the party list. The law that authorized their existence should be abrogated the soonest. Dagdag ingay lang ang mga iyan.

Juan Deveraturda, Subic, Zambales: The implementation of party list representation is a big farce. The party list groups who were given seats in Congress are not really from marginalized sectors of the country. It’s about time a review and the eventual scrapping of the law on party lists be given equal attention by proponents of Charter change.

Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: It’s time for these party lists to be abolished. They do not serve their real purpose in the House of Representatives. Sayang lang ang pera ng bayan para sa kanila.

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: There is no need for them. Regular members of the House can have their own advocacies in line with the party lists’.

Felix Ramento, Manila: Party list representation in the House is a bane rather than a boon for the government because efforts for its overthrow are being practically financed by itself through pork.

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: It’s always a party for the party list system everyday. It should be abolished along with Congress one day!

Ed Alawi, Davao City: It is useless to add more representatives when it is clear that they have no sense of duty except to get rich through corruption and put dynasties in place.

Lita Kasala, Quezon City: Party list representation in Congress is totally unnecessary. We are already paying congressmen to look after all the people in his area, including the marginalized.

Backdoor entry

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Dura lex, sid lex! It may be harsh, but it is the law. Party lists provide a backdoor entry to those who cannot win in a popular election. Amendment is needed.

Dennis Acop, Baguio City: I don’t know the real agenda behind the suddenly enlarged party list representation in Congress. I can only speculate. What is this? A sister of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is suddenly a congresswoman! Why don’t we just put in all of the Arroyos in government? As if they’ve done so much good for this country that they deserve to be public servants. What irony! Maj. Gen. Palparan is likewise suddenly a congressman! Like thieves in the night, the Filipino people get robbed of their dignity and self-respect by people who have none. Is this latest fantastic move somehow related to the mysterious fourth methodology of doing the Cha-cha?

They must prove their worth

Norberto Robles, Taguig: I’m disappointed. Party list representation has yet to prove its worth.

Edmun Acosta, Bacolod City: Nasaan at anong party list representation para sa marginalized sectors? We OFWs never felt it and there are approximately 10,000,000 of us, including undocumented ones. Do we OFWs have our very own party list representation? We were never represented at all, except for sporadic publicity stunts and artificial kindness from some of our elected leaders, including some party list representatives, to gain votes. And there will be more additional party list representatives.

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: We need to establish a systematic method to audit the performance of all party list representatives to determine if they deserve the perks and privileges accorded to them.

Tushka Wenceslao, Capiz: For as long as they act as the Congress checks and balances dynamo, it’s well and good for me, but if they treat their position as a channel to just be a nuisance, I’ll be the first one to be disgusted with them.

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: Those who have been given seats in Congress have done nothing except to argue about redundant issues.

Medel Verzosa, Bataan:  I didn’t vote for any party list group. I pray that winners would initiate reforms to the benefit of the group they vowed to serve.

Ros Delatado, Batanes: The more the merrier. I just hope the representation in the House will not lengthen the list of the corrupt, but for them to really safeguard the welfare of our country.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Just what the Supreme Court ordered, di ba? I find it funny that the militants don’t want the increase in the membership of the House when most of their party list colleagues won seats.

Overly critical of government

Rico Fabello Parañaque City: We’re becoming a country of bright boys and girls. Everybody has a say on something. No wonder we’re Third World.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: The only good thing about the leftist party list representatives is that they cannot find anything good with the existing government.

Let’s give them a chance

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The noble purpose of party list representation is to give the marginalized members of our society equal representation in Congress.

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I believe it is a welcome proposal to have party list representatives in the House considering that they have worthy issues and demands beneficial to the people. Their presence in the House will give these representatives a chance to be heard and acknowledged for whatever cause they are espousing. Why don’t we give them a chance?

A return to two-party system is in order

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: Correct me if I am wrong, but most of the party lists have been identified with leanings that are anti-democracy. But since this ideology has long been legalized by the government, there appears no option left in us but to accept and acknowledge it. They represent the so-called marginalized sectors of our society. On the other hand, let me take this opportunity to express my personal view that I’m strongly batting for: A return to the two-party system. By doing so, platforms and programs would be readily identified as compared to the multi-party system that only tends to add confusion to the electorate. Hence, if ever Charter change pushes through, the party system structure, to my belief, must be given impetus. Said structure just simply appears very ideal, with complications almost nil. Furthermore, the voting population and the Comelec stand to benefit the most.

We can’t afford the pork barrel

C.K. Yeo, Iloilo City: No one can stop Congress from increasing the number of seats; they will find ways, one way or another, sooner or later. I really don’t mind if it increases the seats to 500 or 1,000, or how many more party list representatives join their ranks on one condition: Mo pork barrel. Solons are tasked to make laws, not construct bridges and roads.

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: This, to me, is a big error. It is one of those provisions that should be deleted or amended in our Constitution. Now, with the entry of new representations, the number of congressional seats has exceeded the 250 that is explicitly stated therein. This country cannot afford the pork that most politicians are targeting.

Beats me

Jose Parco, Kalibo, Aklan: There are some that are very visible and vocal concerning national issues, while all the rest are just flower vases in the House. They even find sanctuary in the House, after being served a warrant of arrest. On the other hand, at least they are never the lackeys of the administration. Hence, they could never be coerced into supporting its whims, like, for example, the current Cha-cha. As to why the highest Court of Law ever approved to increase their numbers in the House, it is really a puzzle!

Living it up

Ed Alawi, Davao City: I don’t want to be cynical, but look at their SAL now and two years after. Don’t be surprised how they get so rich; they’ll claim that it was given by relatives.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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