Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Garcia on Wednesday urged for reforms in the country’s party-list system, noting that the law has remained virtually unchanged for over 30 years.
“Matagal na po ang COMELEC. Naririnig niyo po ang inyong lingkod na nagsasabing na dapat na talagang baguhin, i-rebisa, i-ammend ang ating partylist law. 30 taon na po mahigit ang ating batas na RA 7941 na hanggang ngayon, walang pagbabago kahit isang salita, kahit isa man lang seksyon walang nagbabago diyan,” Garcia said during an interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
His remarks came after Senator Risa Hontiveros filed a proposal seeking amendments to the Party-List Act.
He emphasized that the law, initially intended to give representation to marginalized and underrepresented sectors, has been criticized by lawmakers for being exploited by political dynasties and wealthy contractors.
Garcia noted that the Supreme Court (SC) has often had to interpret the law due to its outdated provisions, essentially stepping into a legislative role.
“Napakaganda sana ng pagkakalagay niyan sa ating Saligang Batas, dapat ‘yan talaga ang purpose ay para sa marginalized and underrepresented. Kaya nga lang, kahit ang ating kataas-taasang hukuman with all due respect ay nagkakaroon ng enhancement,” he said.
He recalled that the SC once ruled that nominees should not belong to affluent communities such as Forbes Park or Dasmariñas Village. However, subsequent decisions relaxed this restriction, allowing the entry of wealthy individuals, contractors, and even billionaires, as long as they assert advocacy for the sector they present.
“Nagbago bigla ang mukha ng partylist system, diyan po dumadami dahil sa naging desisyon na yan, yung mismong pagpasok ng mga mayayaman, kontraktor at talaga namang super bilyonaryo dahil sasabihin lang nla mayroon silang adbokasiya sa kanilang nirerepresenta,“ he added.
Comelec has already drafted a bill to reform the Party-List System and plans to submit it to both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
"Kami po ay mayroon ng na-draft na panukalang batas para sa Party List System at amin po itong ibibigay sa Kongres, sa mababang kapulungan at sa Senado,“ he said.
“Magandang proposal… alamin muna natin kung ano ba ang mga marginalized sector ng ating lipunan,” the Comelec chair stated.
Moreover, reforming the allocation of party-list seats may require changes to the Constitution, a move Garcia believes is necessary to ensure the system fulfills its original purpose.
