A PARTY-LIST system is any system of proportional representation in

which voters choose among parties rather than among candidates. Votes are
awarded to parties in proportion to the votes they receive. Most countries in
Europe, as well as Russia, South Africa and Israel favor some form of party-
list system because it opens up the political process beyond one or two
dominating political parties.

A party-list system can help create a healthy democracy, providing a

citizens' voice in Congress and in local government. The Philippine party-list
system aims to increase the representation, particularly of "marginalized and
underrepresented" sectors and enhance transparency and accountability,
leading to more efficient government. Political parties are strengthened,
encouraging program and platform-based politics instead of weak affiliations
between opportunists. This challenges moneyed and patronage politics that
have bred corruption and inefficiency, hindering the country's development.

In the Philippines, voters have two votes for their congressional

representatives. The first elects a district representative. The second elects a
party-list representative. Twenty percent of the 260 seats in the House of
Representatives are reserved for party-list. Every 2% of total party-list votes
cast gets a seat in the House, with each party allowed only a maximum of
three seats.

District representatives act on behalf of their own district, tending to make

laws for the good of their constituencies alone e.g. building sheds, basketball
courts, etc. Party-list representatives, on the other hand, are national
candidates elected by voters countrywide and thus have a broad vision for
national good. They are not the "trapos" (traditional politicians) whose party
loyalties is superficial and who are chosen for their popularity. They sit in the
House for a party that is elected to Congress on the basis of its electoral
platform and thus push their party's programs. They are accountable to the
party they represent and can be removed and replaced by it if they violate its
principles or programs, as in the case of corruption.

The party-list system is based on Republic Act 7941 which was signed
into law on March 3, 1995. In keeping with the call for "new politics", this
system reflects the move towards program-based politics focused on
competent parties with comprehensive programs rather than on personalities
and "trapos".

The Filipino electorate was first introduced to this system during the May
1998 elections. 123 party-list organizations registered but only 13 (with a total
of 14 representatives), including Akbayan! and Sanlakas, received 2% of total
votes. Of the 80% total voter turnout, only 26% cast their party-list vote. This
was expected as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) failed to conduct a
comprehensive education campaign. As a result, 38 party-list seats in
Congress were not filled.

In 2001, there were 162 party-list organizations which participated in the

elections. Eventually, a number were disqualified and only four parties were
proclaimed to have won seats in the House. Eventually, eight more were
proclaimed to have been elected to Congress, although getting a seat much
later, a number only this year, just a few months from the next elections.
Comelec reported that 11,434,554 party-list votes were cast, 42% of the total
35,297,479 voters.

Some party-list organizations were: sectoral groups (such as Abanse!

Pinay representing women, NFSCFO representing small coconut farmers);
people's organizations (ABA representing farmers, peasants and fisherfolk,
AKO representing the urban poor); as well as multi-sectoral coalitions
(Sanlakas for instance); and political parties (like Akbayan!). In the 2001
elections, only 64 met the 8-point guideline issued by the Supreme Court. The
others, big traditional parties like Lakas and NPC, Filipino Chinese Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, Inc. controlled by Lucio Tan (hardly a
"marginalized and underrepresented" sector), actor Richard Gomez'
DILG/PNP-related and government-funded Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga,
and the True Marcos Loyalist Association, clearly defeat the spirit and
purpose of the party-list system and thus were belatedly disqualified.

In the May 2004 elections, progressive party-list organizations will field

local candidates across the country as part of their commitment to improve
local governance, strengthen local government units and make them
accessible and accountable to the people. They will also support progressive
senatorial bets as well as campaign against corrupt and turncoat candidates,
those who consistently take anti-people positions on crucial national issues
and incompetents or non-performers who personify the worst in traditional
politics and are dangers to democracy.