Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: The cooperative sector has been a silent but major contributor to our economic growth especially in the countryside. It needs representation in Congress via party list.
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: With the ever-increasing number of congres-sion-al districts, better to scratch party list representation as everybody is already represented.
Athletes need utmost support
Juanito Lumibao Jr., Gapan City: Athletes need utmost support and deserve to be elected and represented in the House of the Representatives. I think supporting them in the upcoming elections is the key towards attaining the country’s first gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
Banjo Jay Calim, Nueva Ecija: I’d rather choose athletes for party list representation in Congress. They badly need attention. If we further support and prioritize athletes, I believe that they can serve, attain more and probably get a gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics.
Rank-and-file government employees
E. Avanzado, San Pablo City: Rank-and-file government employees and retirees should be represented in Congress. Our problems with GSIS seem to fall on deaf ears in both chambers of Congress. The legislative agenda of government employees and retirees should be addressed properly. There are many whistleblowers who want to come out in the open but because there is no guaranteed protection for them from the government, they just keep mum. But if there is someone who is willing to bring their cause to Congress, then they will have the courage to expose anomalies in government. So to the Comelec, please allow Courage party list to participate in the 2010 elections.
It should be as our Constitution stipulates
Aries Diamante, Quezon City: It depends, how the Constitution defines “marginalized sectors of society”. [The minutes of the ConCom, particularly the deliberations on the particular article and section on party-list representation, can provide a clue. Or maybe, if the Supreme Court has had occasion to decide on a similar issue, the interpretation of the Supreme Court can be used.] Once we answer that question, then we can provide an answer to the one currently before us in this forum.
Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: What the Constitution says about party list representation should be followed. As it is, the sectors that deserve representation in Congress are already well-represented and these are the true marginalized sectors of our society, such as the agricultural sector and the fishing industry sector. Many others are not necessary as they are taken care of by the representatives of the Congressional districts. Pampadagdag lang ng gastos ng gobyerno natin.
Col. Dennis Acop (Ret), Baguio City: At times, I feel that the Constitutionally-guaranteed party list representation is being misused and abused by individuals or groups with selfish political agenda. Party-list organizations are now too many to track but I think the really critical sectors that need Congressional representation include the underprivileged, youth, labor, farmers, fisherfolk, veterans, communists, indigenous communities, and perhaps even the Islamic separatists and fundamentalists, among others. The idea is to bring everyone to the discussion table and away from the arena of violence. For as long as man lives, there will always be differences among individuals and groups with diverse backgrounds and interests. If well implemented, party-list representation should ensure that even the marginalized sectors have a voice in the legislative agenda, therefore mitigating the occurrence of violence or totally eradicating its possibility. The repeal of RA 1700 and subsequent representation of left-wing interests in Congress is a classic example of the operationalization of the Constitutional provision aimed at ending the long-standing insurgencies still in our midst. Party-list representation is a strategy that should help the country achieve its goal, not hinder it.
Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: All current party lists on record deserve to be represented in Congress. However, newly formed party lists who want to be listed as one will undergo scrutiny by the Comelec if they qualify. Let’s welcome all new party lists from all sectors of society provided they pass the requirements needed.
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: Only the marginalized sectors of society, as approved by the Comelec, should be properly represented in Congress as provided for in the party list law.
Caretakers of the environment
Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It should be a sector that will represent the fight against global warming and climate change so that it can push this urgent advocacy at the forefront of the lawmakers’ agenda.
They’re a waste of money
Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: None that I can think of. And to be honest, I can’t see the rationale behind this provision in our Constitution giving some sectors their own party list representation in Congress. Since the entire country was divided into congressional districts and they are all represented in Congress, why should some sectors be given the privilege of having their own party list representation when the Congressmen of the district where they are residing already represent them? Besides, since they represent a certain group, it is but natural that they pass bills that would benefit only their group, if not themselves. For me, these party list representatives should not be in our legislative body anymore. We are just depleting very scarce government resources that should be spent on other more beneficial basic services.
Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Party list representation is just a waste of public money. Let’s get rid of it, pronto! Duplication lang ito ng ating mga district congress.
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Party list representation must be abolished to save government funds from millions of misused pork barrels. What have the party list representatives done anyway?
Cris Rivera, Rizal: What then will happen to this nation, whose limping economy is buoyed, only by OFWs remittances, if we spend that much for these representatives?
Housemates
Leonard Villa, Batac City: Housemaids should form a national organization and register it with Comelec. House maids are some of the most marginalized and abused so they must be represented in Congress.
Marginalized sector
Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: Truly, the marginalized sector of society deserves representation in Congress. However, they themselves lack a leader who will represent them. If there is anyone at all, he is bound to be lured by powerful politicians to join them, thus diverting his attention to more self-serving agenda. How pathetic this cycle is. What we really have to address is how to awaken our moral and spiritual fortitude to serve.
Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: The poor, the uneducated, the uninformed who are living in the remotest parts of our barrios. Marami sa kanila na ni hindi pa nakakita ng bisikleta.
Call center agents
Johann Lucas, Quezon City: Call center agents. We as law-abiding citizens need representation in Congress just like everybody else. If leftist groups were allowed to participate in the House in the past, we as an income-generating sector of society deserve it just as well.
Enough of them!
Elsa Mendoza, Quezon City: Enough of this party list system in Congress! People are already well-represented by their own representatives. What are the existing representatives for anyway? The party list system is just another way of bilking the government (collaterally, the taxpayers) by way of congressional allowances. This is madness, really!
Delfin Todcor, Quezon City: We must not add any more sectoral representatives because our 81 provinces plus the districts and 136 cities are already over-represented.
Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I cannot recall who introduced this stupid idea called party list and the theory behind. Is this a backdoor for evil intention? If the theory is to have the poor represented in Congress, who really will sit in Congress? From the time this law was implemented, I never voted for a party list representative because I do not know who will actually sit in Congress. Are they not the moneyed, children or relatives of politicians, left, and right or center wing? With more people sharing in the division of spoils, they tax us heavily to compensate the increase in personal social costs, luxury and lousy service.
Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: No sector deserves representation in the House of Representatives because we are a democratic country and direct constituents in Congressional districts representing all sectors elect representatives. Let Congress repeal or amend the law on party list system.
Contract workers
Fortunato Aguirre, Bulacan: I believe that contract workers should have a voice in the House. They are exploited by contractors, and companies deprive them of benefits enjoyed by regular employees.
Religious groups
Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: How about minority religious groups? They deserve to be heard. Everyone has the right to be hard and make the government aware of his or her needs. Party list groups like Lutak, Migrante, etc. represent workers, but how about groups like atheists, cultists and faith healers?
Agricultural sector
Mark Kenneth Santos, Nueva Ecija: The sector that should get a seat as party list representative in Congress is the agricultural sector, in order for them to get support for their livelihood. We also need a party list that will provide different projects to these farmers, an example of which is the need for driers to keep their harvested crops dry and of good class so they won’t be forced to trade the products at very low prices.
Joyce Lyne Espino, Cabanatuan City: I think Butil ought to win a seat in Congress. It’s primary concern is the welfare of every farmer.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: Sectors that should be represented in Congress are those grossly neglected by the government and their district representatives who are there not for their constituents’ welfare but for their pockets. Tobacco farmers have long been neglected by the emperors of the north and their government lackeys in the localities, including elected representatives, and the national leadership. Prices of tobacco forced upon farmers to sell are way below the world average, causing them to suffer like beasts of burden, with the quality of their lives going down the drain.
The poor are not truly represented
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: I’m tempted to answer, “the poorest of the poor, underprivileged, less-privileged sector of society need representation“, but the way the poor are being represented by so-called poor representatives in Congress, there isn’t really any genuine representation for them. To put it bluntly and sarcastically, if there is a marginalized sector in society who are very few and who crave for seats of power in the House of Representatives, it is the rich who deserve a party list representation, as if there wasn’t enough of them in Congress. So there.
Sectors must identify their candidates
Rene Poder, Manila: All sectors should identify their candidates willingly. The voters have a right to know.
Ethnic minorities
Bryan Angelo Ramos, Nueva Ecija: Ethnic groups in our country must be represented in Congress so that they can voice out their opinions and share their knowledge and culture with us.
Jennivee Balucanag, Nueva Vizcaya: I think ethnic groups deserve party list representation in Congress because this group is not given the chance to speak for themselves. They must feel that they are also a part of the community, with the same privileges due other Filipinos.
Any legitimate sector except for leftists
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: All sectors of our society save for the leftist groups. The latter doesn’t deserve to be there.
Youth, women and farmers
Lourna Lynne Embuscado, Nueva Ecija: For me, the youth, women and farmers are most deserving of party list representation in Congress. Why? The youth powers the Philippines today, with almost half of the entire population of this country composed of young people. Women in this country, on the other hand, really need to be protected and should be given the same privileges as men to keep them from further abuse. Lastly, the farmers, in order for them to protect their lands and livelihood.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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