Party-list system flaws must be fixed, but not through Cha-cha — Robredo
MANILA, Philippines — While acknowledging that there are flaws in the current party-list system, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday noted that these flaws should not be addressed through a “dangerous” Charter change (Cha-cha).
In her weekly radio program, Robredo said politicians are abusing the party-list system to hold on to power even as they do not represent marginalized sectors. But that, according to the Vice President, should be fixed without revisiting any constitutional amendments.
She also said that the latest push for Cha-cha is ill-timed as the country grapples with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
“Dapat iyong solusyon natin sasagot kung bakit nagkakaganito—hindi iyong papadaanin sa isang bagay na i-oopen up mo iyong pagbago ng Konstitusyon, na napakadelikado saka wrong timing pa,” Robredo said.
(The solution should directly address why this is happening—not by opening up constitutional change, which is very dangerous and ill-timed.)
“Masyadong dangerous siya, masyadong dangerous na exercise. At tingin ko hindi siya iyong makaka-resolve ng problema natin sa partylist system,” she added.
(It is too dangerous, a very dangerous exercise. And I don’t think it can solve our problem with the party-list system.)
The party-list system was enacted in 1995 to provide the marginalized and underrepresented sectors a voice in Congress. However, the party-list system has long been criticized for supposedly being used as a political vehicle.
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III earlier said President Duterte suggested changes in the constitutional provisions on the party-list system as he believes that those from the minority Makabayan bloc are “legal fronts” for the Communist Party of the Philippines.
The Senate leader made the pronouncement after Senators Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino, known allies of the Duterte administration, asked lawmakers on Dec. 7 to convene into a Constituent Assembly.
Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., chair of the House committee on constitutional amendments, also announced that the lower chamber will resume Cha-cha debates this month focusing on “restrictive” economic provisions of the Constitution.
