By Ferdinand Patinio | Philippine News Agency
In a statement on Monday, May 19, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) pushed for amendments in the party-list law to allow only legitimate groups that represent the marginalized sectors to join.
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in a press briefing, referring to Republic Act No. 7491 or the Party-list System law, “I will always push for the amendment of the law. The party-list law needs to be amended, I believe even party-list organizations will always aspire to a new law to reflect the true sentiments of marginalized and underrepresented sectors”
Garcia highlighted that amending RA No. 7491, which was signed into law in 1995 by the late president Fidel V. Ramos, is an “ongoing call” of the Comelec.
R.A. 7941 aims to promote proportional representation in the House of Representatives through a party-list system of registered parties or organizations of Filipinos belonging to marginalized and underrepresented sectors.
“Some say that the party-list is no longer marginalized and underrepresented. In the end, that is what the law should be,” Garcia said.
Meanwhile, the Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, is set to proclaim the winning party-list organizations on Monday afternoon.
A total of 59 seats will be occupied by the 52 winning groups. Of the 52 groups, three (Akbayan, Duterte Youth, and Tingog) will have the maximum three seats each in the 20th Congress. (PNA)
