Clean up the party-list system

According to the President, the promotion of Charter change is to pay attention to and address the problems in our party-list system and to resolve the insurgency and terrorist activities of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

The President is doing what he needs to do to clean up the government party-list system, because something is definitely wrong. Primarily, how and why did the “dummies” party-list groups of the CPP get into Congress? Therefore, this suggestion is not self-serving and is timely and can be taken into consideration as the election draws closer.

Part of our democracy is enshrined in our Constitution under the Republic Act 7941 – a law providing for the election of representatives of party-lists, representing the basic sectors to give them the chance to take part in the promulgation of laws.

But, what is happening? Do they carry out their duties other than criticizing the government, abusing their positions and lobbying to overthrow the government? Were they actually representing the marginalized sectors? Is it the well-being of the people they promote or that of the enemy of the state?

Therefore, let us support cleaning up our country’s party-list system. Let us ensure that the seats in Congress are given to those who have the heart to carry out their functions and serve the people. If the party-list system could not be abolished, then support the filing of disqualification cases among party-list groups with links to terrorist groups. If we do not get the party-list system in order now, then when will we do it? – Erica T. Maniago, Concepcion, Tarlac