‘Public now more aware of party-list system’

MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos have heightened awareness of the Philippines’ party-list system, according to the latest survey conducted by Pulse Asia.

The survey, conducted on March 23-27 with the results released yesterday, showed that 74 percent of the respondents have heard, read or watched something about the party-list system, higher than the 61 percent obtained in February.

Pulse Asia said majority awareness levels are recorded in all geographic areas, with the highest in Metro Manila at 74 percent, followed by those in the rest of Luzon (79 percent), Mindanao (77 percent) and the Visayas (57 percent).

On socio-economic classification, awareness of the party-list system is highest among those identified in the classes ABC at 86 percent, followed by those from class D (74 percent) and E (62 percent).

Bayan Muna tops survey

Meanwhile, militant organization Bayan Muna topped the survey’s party-list preferences for the upcoming elections.

Bayan Muna led the 14 party-list groups that obtained more than two percent of votes needed to secure at least one seat in Congress.

A total of 8.7 percent of the respondents would vote for Bayan Muna, translating to three congressional seats for the organization.

Aside from Bayan Muna, four other party-list groups would get three seats based on the survey results: Magsasaka (6.45 percent), Gabriela (6.04 percent), Ako Bicol (4.72 percent) and A Teacher (4.58 percent).

The remaining nine party-list groups that obtained more than two percent would get two seats each, according to Pulse Asia.

These are Senior Citizens, Buhay, Akbayan, Amin, An Waray, Kalinga, Anakpawis, Cibac and Angkla.

Following the procedures set by the Supreme Court on assignment of seats for party-lists, Pulse Asia said another 25 party-lists that did not reach the two percent threshold could get one seat each.

These include ACT-CIS, Act Teachers, Tingog Sinirangan, APEC, AAMBIS-OWA, AGAP, PBA, ABAMIN, Kusog Tausug, Ako Padayon, Butil, OFW Family, 1-Ang Edukasyon, Kabayan, 1Pacman, Murang Kuryente, Abono, Duterte Youth, Global, Ating Koop, BH Bagong Henerasyon, COOP-NATCO, YACAP, Abang Lingkod and Alona.

The survey had 1,800 respondents with an error margin of +/- 2.3 percent.