Fourteen party-list groups would have been assured of one seat each in the House of Representatives had the election been held last quarter, the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showed.
Of the 134 party-list groups accredited by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), 14 had managed to each get a 2-percent support from voters, assuring them of one seat in the House during the first round of seat allocation.
A maximum of 59 seats are reserved for party-list representatives in the May elections, based on Comelec Resolution No. 10418 promulgated last September.
Five party-list groups each garnered the maximum three seats in the House: Bayan Muna, Magsasaka, Gabriela Women’s Party, Ako Bicol and A Teacher.
Other party-list groups which are assured of at least one seat are: Senior Citizens, Buhay, Akbayan, Amin, An Waray, Kalinga, Anakpawis, Cibac and Angkla.
The Pulse Asia survey also found that 74 percent of 1,800 adult respondents are aware of the party-list system, with majority awareness levels recorded in all areas and socioeconomic classes.
The nationwide poll done on March 23 to 27 used face-to-face interviews and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.
Gabriela on Thursday welcomed the results of the survey, which showed it ranking third among 134 party-list groups vying for congressional seats.
Consistent support
“The results show the consistent support for women’s representation inside the halls of power,” the group said in a statement.
It also shows the support of women for Gabriela and its track record of fighting different forms of abuse, the statement added.
Top-ranked party-list group Bayan Muna expressed elation as well over continuing support for its advocacies, including fighting for higher wages, pensions and benefits, and stopping power, oil and water rate hikes.
“[Bayan Muna’s] role as a fiscalizer in Congress has also been highlighted when we go after abusive and corrupt government officials as well as unscrupulous companies,” said Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate. —WITH REPORTS FROM INQUIRER RESEARCH