‘Bastardization of partylist system’

EDITORIAL

Many sectors like the Kabataan Partylist have criticized the new ruling of the Supreme Court on qualifications for partylists, branding the decision as a move to “institutionalize the bastardization of the partylist system.

The SC recently released its ruling that reversed the decision of the Commission on Elections on the disqualification of 54 partylist groups for the upcoming polls.

In the new ruling, the SC essentially reversed the earlier interpretation of the partylist law in 2001 penned by then Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban which reserves participation to the partylist system to marginalized and underrepresented sectors.

Penned by Justice Antonio Carpio, the new ruling allows national and regional parties, and political parties to participate in the partylist elections even if they don’t represent “any marginalized and underrepresented sector.”

“The new interpretation of the partylist law not only watered down the very essence of the legislation but also opened the floodgates of Congress for millionaires and traditional politicians who are using the partylist system as a backdoor to the Lower House,” said lawyer Terry Ridon, Kabataan Partylist president.

“In effect, the new SC ruling will further marginalize genuine representatives of the marginalized and underrepresented, as powerful traditional politicians – especially in areas dominated by the elite – could now easily enter the partylist elections,” said Bai Ali Indayla, Moro youth leader and second nominee of Kabataan Partylist.

Also, in the new partylist law interpretation, the nominees of the parties and organizations need not come from marginalized and underrepresented sectors. “So in areas dominated by the landed elite, clans like the Ampatuans in ARMM can easily set up a regional party and put another family member in position,” Indayla said.

“Not only does the new SC ruling limit the already limited political space for the marginalized sectors, it also allows for the proliferation and expansion of political dynasties in the countryside,” Indayla added, referring to the general interpretation of the new ruling as regards regional parties.

Also, Ridon said the new ruling would only favor “the rich and well-entrenched” while further marginalizing progressive partylists that lack resources to compete with traditional politicians.

“The Carpio decision has reversed the hard-earned victory against bogus partylists and in effect further bastardizing the remaining avenue for genuine people’s participation in government,” Ridonsaid.

Now, who wants to be congressman? If you have the money, create your own Partylist pronto.