Although the party-list system has been developed for the poor and exploited sectors, it has been entered by a handful of rich, powerful, and traditional politicians, according to a study by poll watchdog Kontra Daya.
“The country’s party-list system continues to be hijacked by the rich and powerful. Around 70 percent of party-list groups are being used as a backdoor to further entrench their political and economic interests,” said Kontra Daya, Thursday.
“Kontra Daya has flagged at least 120 out of 177 party-list groups for being identified with political clans and big businesses, as well as for having incumbent local officials, connections with the government and military, unknown or unclear advocacies and representations; and pending court cases and criminal charges (including being implicated in pork barrel scams).”
According to the group, the number of party-lists dominated by the “rich and powerful” in 2022 will increase from 50% recorded by the group in the 2019 party-list elections (62 out of 134 party-list groups).
Dynasties, big businesses control 70% of party-lists – election watchdog
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has not yet responded to the findings of Kontra Daya as of press time.
In 1995, Republic Act 7941, or the Party-list System Act was passed, giving 20% of the seats in the House to “marginalized and underrepresented sectors.”
“[The] sectors shall include labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals,” according to Section 5 of RA 7941.
In the Philippine electoral system, it is easier for the flush and influential in running and winning especially since it requires millions to run a campaign.
As a result, those from the ranks of workers, peasants, middle-class and small entrepreneurs are left out and not allowed to sit in government.
According to the Kontra Daya study, 44 of the party-list groups in the 2022 national elections are “controlled” by political clans, while 21 are connected to big business.
“On the other hand, at least 34 were found to have unknown or unclear advocacies and representations; at least 32 have connections with the government or military; at least 26 have incumbent local officials running as party-list nominees; and at least 19 have pending court cases or criminal charges,” they added.
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