EDITORIAL - A mockery of the intent

The Commission on Elections tried to put some curbs on the party-list system, but saw itself reversed by the Supreme Court. The SC, saying it interpreted the pertinent laws, told critics to look at Congress instead.

And congressmen, whose political parties, private businesses and other vested interests benefit from packing the legislature with their party-list affiliates, can’t be expected to approve any proposal that will restore the original intent of the party-list provision in the Constitution, which is to give congressional representation to marginalized sectors.

In the just concluded elections, the group that garnered the biggest vote in the party-list seems to be representing anything and everything. The country has 24 senators for such broad representation. Why should taxpayers be burdened with the upkeep and perks of about 70 party-list congressmen? Now the Comelec has allowed an eleventh-hour substitution for the Duterte Youth party-list. Its five original nominees have withdrawn in favor of one, former National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema, who happens to be over the age limit specified for party-list representation for the youth.

The Comelec has stressed that it is leaving it up to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal to rule on Cardema’s eligibility for the post. Since it usually takes the HRET three years to resolve electoral issues, will Cardema be allowed to take a seat in the chamber in the meantime?

The SC, citing the wording of the law, has ruled that party-list groups can represent merely advocacies rather than marginalized sectors, and the party nominees need not be marginalized or actually belong to the sector, but can simply champion the sector’s cause.

At least one former member of the commission that drafted the Constitution has lamented that the party-list system has become a mockery of the intent of the Charter, and a failed experiment that deserves abolition.

Winning party-list groups naturally will disagree. With 61 groups and even more nominees, the party-list has become an influential bloc in the House – if enough of the groups can find common ground for a coalition that can flex its muscles like a major political party. These groups can be expected to block any proposal for their own demise. Ordinary taxpayers, already burdened by TRAIN and fuel excise taxes, are stuck with the hefty tab.