Marginalized twice over

Marginalized twice over | Daily Tribune

Is partylist representation in Congress still relevant? Established under the 1987 Constitution with the noble intention of giving marginalized and underrepresented sectors a voice in Congress, the system was designed to ensure that sectors such as farmers, fisherfolk, laborers, indigenous peoples and the urban poor, who traditionally have little political clout, would have direct representation in the lawmaking process.

However, recent trends suggest that the system may no longer be fulfilling its original purpose. With many leading partylist groups now being backed by big politicians, political dynasties, and wealthy interests, one is tempted to ask the question above. The essence of the partylist system is to democratize representation. The idea was to give a seat at the legislative table to those whose voices are often drowned out by the political elite.

However, over the years, the system has been hijacked by traditional politicians who use it as an extension of their influence. Surveys and election results show that many winning partylist groups are either directly controlled by established political figures or are aligned with powerful families and organizations. Instead of advocating for marginalized sectors, these groups often function as political tools to expand power.

For instance, partylist groups associated with big business interests, retired government officials, and political families have dominated recent elections. Many of them use vague sectoral representations — such as “public servants,” “youth,” or “OFWs” — that allow practically anyone to claim affiliation. As a result, genuine sectoral groups find it harder to compete against these well-funded organizations.

The increasing control of the partylist system by powerful individuals has led to growing public skepticism. Critics argue that instead of empowering the marginalized, the system has become another battleground for traditional politicians.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has attempted to weed out questionable partylist groups, but enforcement remains weak. In some cases, groups with no clear connection to marginalized sectors have still been allowed to run, raising concerns about the integrity of the system.

Additionally, reports of vote buying and the misuse of partylist seats for political gain further diminish public trust. Some partylist representatives function more as extensions of mainstream political parties rather than as independent advocates for their supposed constituencies. This has led many to question whether the system still serves its intended purpose or if it has become a mere political convenience.

Despite its current flaws, the partylist system is not beyond redemption. Some argue that rather than abolishing it, reforms should be introduced to realign it with its original mission. Stricter guidelines on sectoral representation, stronger enforcement of election laws, and transparency measures could help restore credibility.

For example, one possible reform is to impose clearer and stricter qualifications for partylist groups, ensuring that only organizations genuinely representing marginalized sectors are allowed to run. Another suggestion is to cap the number of terms a partylist representative can serve to prevent entrenched political control. Furthermore, the Comelec should implement more stringent vetting processes to disqualify groups that do not meet the spirit of the law.

On the other hand, some believe that the system has been so deeply corrupted that abolition is the best course of action. They argue that traditional legislative districts already provide sufficient representation and that marginalized sectors should be assisted through other means, such as stronger grassroots political participation and inclusive policymaking.

With political dynasties and powerful elites exploiting the system for their own gain, it is clear that reforms are needed. Whether through stricter regulations or complete abolition, changes must be made to ensure that the system truly serves the marginalized sectors it was meant to represent.

Until then, its relevance remains in question, and its credibility continues to erode in the eyes of the Filipino people.