In light of recent revelations by Radyo Singko regarding Malou Lipana, the first nominee of the #VendorsParty-list, and her ownership of a company with contracts from the Department of Public Works and Highways, former Bayan Muna Congressman Neri Colmenares strongly criticized the ongoing manipulation of the party-list system by the wealthy and influential elite.
Colmenares highlighted the longstanding efforts of Bayan Muna and other Makabayan bloc members to reform the party-list system to ensure it serves its intended purpose of representing marginalized and underrepresented sectors. “The party-list system was established as a social justice tool to empower the marginalized, not as a backdoor for the already powerful,” Colmenares declared. “We must protect this mechanism from being hijacked by those who do not share the struggles of the masses.”
The Makabayan bloc has been proactive in filing bills since the 15th Congress, aiming to reserve the party-list system for its rightful beneficiaries. “It is high time for the House leadership to prioritize this bill to restore the integrity of the party-list system,” Colmenares urged.
Now under House Bill 211, the measure seeks to amend Republic Act 7941, the Party-List System Act, to reinforce eligibility requirements and establish measures to prevent the infiltration of political and economic elites into the system.
“The Bayan Muna bill then up till now with the Makabayan bloc latest version disqualifies anyone who was a president down to mayor including cabinet members. Senators and District Congressmen must also be disqualified. Nanalo ka na nga sa senatorial o congressional election dahil sa yaman mo, tapos sasali ka pa sa party list. We owe it to the Filipino people to safeguard the spaces meant for their genuine representation. The party list system was reserved for the marginalized and underrepresented by the Supreme Court in Bayan Muna vs Comelec in 2001. Ni reaffirm ito ng Korte Suprema sa Bayan Muna vs Comelec noong 2009. Panahon na na tapusin natin ang pamamayagpag ng mayayayaman at dinastiya sa partylist at ibalik ang ordinaryong mamamayan sa partylist. Taumbayan naman.” Colmenares concluded.#
