The Philippine party-list system and representation of marginalized populations

Abstract

The Party-list system is a unique aspect of the Philippine political system; a political battleground designed to ensure a representative democracy that allows for ample and proportional representation of marginalized groups in the House of Representatives. Guaranteed by Article 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the party-list system was created by the framers of the constitution as “a scheme aimed at giving meaningful representation to the interests of sectors which are not adequately attended to in normal deliberations(1)”. This article particularly explores the party-list system and argues for a necessary revamping of the process of selection and accreditation of party-lists. As Congress is empowered to define and prescribe the mechanics of party-list representation, laws like the Omnibus Election Code and the Party-list Systems Act have allowed for this system to operate. The 18th Congress has seen the party-list system continue to grow; however, it still lacks a mechanism to ensure proper representation. With the national elections happening this year, we again see the same trend of party-lists vying for a seat in Congress. However, just like in previous elections, these party-lists do seem to represent a clear marginalized group. So, is there a need to revamp the party-list system? And does being marginalized even matter anymore?