Party-lists controlled by political dynasties, business groups?
>> Sunday, November 14, 2021
EDITORIAL
Kontra
Daya is set to release their policy research on the country’s party-list system
for the May 2022 elections where they will identify party-list groups that are
controlled either by political dynasties, big business groups and those that
are engaged in “dubious” advocacies.
In an interview on ANC, the poll watchdog’s convenor Danilo Arao said that in the final report they released during 2019 midterm election, they found that close to half of the party-list groups running would be controlled, either by political dynasties, big business groups, and those with dubious advocacies.
“Actually there is even anecdotal evidence showing that incumbent officials are running as party-list nominees,” he said.
On the other hand, he said they welcome a particular development made by the Commission on Elections for the upcoming polls where they have prohibited incumbent officials from being party-list nominees.
He mentioned that this is however not the same for the so-called advocates of certain marginalized groups who come from the rich and powerful or big business groups where Vice Presidents or Presidents of corporations claim to stand for the workers.
Arao stated that while it’s legal, it is still “unacceptable” insofar as the marginalized and underrepresented are concerned.
“We always hear stories that you know, statements from this group saying that, if you leave that to the marginalized sectors, they won’t be capable of engaging with the well-trained and well-schooled legislators, but the reverse is true,” he said.
“If you are part of the marginalized, you are in a better position. And you are more articulate, ironically, to talk about your plight, even if you’re in the company of lawyers of rich people and all that,” he added.
Now even legislators are saying the law on party-lists needs to be reviewed with amendments set in place.
In an interview on ANC, the poll watchdog’s convenor Danilo Arao said that in the final report they released during 2019 midterm election, they found that close to half of the party-list groups running would be controlled, either by political dynasties, big business groups, and those with dubious advocacies.
“Actually there is even anecdotal evidence showing that incumbent officials are running as party-list nominees,” he said.
On the other hand, he said they welcome a particular development made by the Commission on Elections for the upcoming polls where they have prohibited incumbent officials from being party-list nominees.
He mentioned that this is however not the same for the so-called advocates of certain marginalized groups who come from the rich and powerful or big business groups where Vice Presidents or Presidents of corporations claim to stand for the workers.
Arao stated that while it’s legal, it is still “unacceptable” insofar as the marginalized and underrepresented are concerned.
“We always hear stories that you know, statements from this group saying that, if you leave that to the marginalized sectors, they won’t be capable of engaging with the well-trained and well-schooled legislators, but the reverse is true,” he said.
“If you are part of the marginalized, you are in a better position. And you are more articulate, ironically, to talk about your plight, even if you’re in the company of lawyers of rich people and all that,” he added.
Now even legislators are saying the law on party-lists needs to be reviewed with amendments set in place.
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