The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms has conducted discussions on proposals aiming to amend the Party-list System Act or Republic Act No. 7491.

According to ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, 20% of the seats in the House of Representatives were reserved for party-list representatives to give voice to various marginalized sectors, allowing the workers, teachers, fisherfolk, women, and persons with disabilities to join the Congress. However, there’s an alleged misinterpretation of the law, and it allegedly paves the way for using the system to expand political dynasties.

“Ang ending, ang pamamayagpag ng party-list at nominees na di tunay na kumakatawan sa marginalized and underrepresented sectors, sa halip, nagbabandera lamang sa mga interest ng political dynasties, milyonaryo, bilyonaryo, at pulis, at militar,” Tinio said

The proposed measures seek to tighten the registration process, including the required public hearings by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to verify whether the applicant is genuinely representing their respective sectors.

Several bills also aim to disqualify nominees who have previously had experience in government positions, relatives in elected officials, and even those with connections with large businesses and contractors.

With reports from Evan Alvarez