Lacson slams billionaires among party-list nominees: Time to amend law

Senator Panfilo Lacson during a press conference in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Presidential candidate Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday said the purpose of the party-list system has been defeated as he criticized billionaires that “dominate” the party-list representations in Congress

“Ang original intent ng party list system, ‘yung batas, naka-enumerate doon kung ano ang mga marginalized, mga farmers, kung anu-ano talaga ‘yung marginalized but over time puro bilyonaryo na ‘yung nominees, ‘yung mga congressmen, mga representative. Alam mo minsan kapag pumunta kayo sa loob ng Forbes Park eh andun ‘yung ang lalaking billboard ng mga party-list, ‘yung mga kumakandidato,” Lacsont told reporters here.

(The original intent of the party-list system, the law enumerates what sectors are marginalized, the farmers, but over time it seems that nominees are billionaires, the congressmen, the representatives. You know, sometimes, when you go to Forbes Park, there are big billboards of party lists and the face of the candidate.)

“Hindi na talaga marginalized ang representation ng party-list and it defeated the purpose of representation ng mga marginalized sector. Saan ka nakakita party-list ‘di ba, security guards may party-list, tapos basketball may party-list,” he added.

(The representation is not really marginalized anymore and it defeated the purpose of representation of the marginalized sector. Where can you see a party list for security guards, for basketball players?)

While these are sectors that also need attention, Lacson said there are “more deserving” groups that need representation in the House of Representatives to advocate for their needs.

Asked if the law providing for the party-list system should be amended, Lacson answered in the affirmative.

READ: Party-list politics: From marginalized to key election players

“From the original intent of giving the marginalized sector representation in the legislature, it has now evolved into something else. Billionaires dominate the party-list representation which has effectively defeated the intent of the law,” Lacson said in a separate message to reporters.

This, as he agreed with President Rodrigo Duterte’s view on the party-list system in the country, which the Chief Executive said is being used by the rich to lobby for their interests in Congress.

READ: Duterte hits abuse of PH party-list system, calls for amendment

“It clearly shows how grounded PRRD is. He knows exactly how the party-list system has been abused over time,” Lacson said.