Discussion of electoral reform in the Philippines aims to promote representation of marginalized groups

A reform on the court’s ruling regarding partylists was suggested as marginalized groups and sectors fail to secure congressional seats. Political lawyer Dr. Tony La Viña said in a forum hosted by the University of the Philippines that party-list systems are important, especially for the representation of farmers, fishermen, and other underrepresented sectors. “The idea of the partylist system in our country is for the underrepresented groups to enter the Congress, not for contractors, nor for political families, but the under-represented,” La Viña said. A 2013 decision by the Supreme Court changed the political landscape of partylists, after ruling that political parties do not need to represent the marginalized group in order to join the party-list election.
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