Fix, not scrap partylist system

OFFICE OF AKBAYAN PARTY-LIST REP. TOM VILLARIN

S513 South Wing Building, Batasan Complex, Batasan Hills, Quezon City

PRESS RELEASE

August 1, 2016

'FIX, NOT SCRAP PARTY-LIST SYSTEM' - AKBAYAN SOLON

Not all party-lists are bad.

This was the message of Akbayan Party-list Rep. Tom Villarin, who supported calls to reform, not abolish, the party-list system.

"The party-list system was instituted by framers of the 1987 Constitution to enhance proportional representation and uplift the plight of all Filipinos, including the underrepresented sectors," the lawmaker said. 

For its part, Akbayan as a party-list in Congress has been successful in passing landmark legislations such as the Reproductive Health Law, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law, and the Philippine Competition Act.

It also continues to push for its advocacies in public health, labor, citizen empowerment, and many others.

Historically, party-lists have been subject to wide discussion and debate partly due to the changes in the Supreme Court's and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC)'s interpretations regarding party-lists.

But according to Villarin, one thing was clear:

"To call for its total abolition is simply out of the question."

Last week, none other than President Rodrigo Duterte himself said that he would like party-lists to be dissolved and banned to participate under the federal government that he envisions.

But Villarin insisted that the government should instead address the systemic causes ingrained within traditional political culture that affect the legislature's credibility in truly representing the people.

"What the President should do is follow and implement the constitutional mandate of abolishing political dynasties. Many of them are in fact now allied with him," the lawmaker said.

"He should likewise push for banning political turncoats too," he added.