CCHOPE ELECTION 2001

THE PARTY LIST SYSTEM

The Party List System enables small political parties and marginalized and underrepresented sectors to obtain representation in the House of Representatives, which traditionally is dominated by parties with big political machinery.

The rationale here is proportional representation of
1) underrepresented sector, and
2) marginalized sector.

There are 12 sectors identified in the Party-list system. All may not need representation because they are already represented. The electorate must decide who among the sectors badly need representation in Congress.

Who may participate? Instead of individual candidates, only registered organized groups may participate. These are:

1. Sectoral parties - organized groups of citizens whose principal advocacy pertains to the special interests and concerns of the 12 sectors identified.

2. Sectoral organization - group of qualified voters bound together by similar physical attributes or characteristics, or by employment, interests or concerns.

3. Coalition - aggrupation of duly-registered national, regional, sectoral parties or organizations for political and/or election purposes.

4. Political parties - organized groups of qualified voters pursuing the same ideology, political ideas and principles for general conduct of the government. It may be:

A national party whose constituency is spread over geographical territory of a least 9 of the 16 regions in the country;

A regional party whose constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the cities and provinces comprising a region.

Underrepresented and marginalized sectors
-women
-handicapped
-youth
-peasants
-elderly
-professionals
-fisherfolk
-veterans
-urban poor
-labor
-overseas workers
-indigenous cultural communities

For the purpose of the May 1998 election, five (5) major political parties are disqualified from participating in the party-list system. These are:

1. Lakas-NUCD
2. Liberal Party (LP)
3. Lakas ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP)
4. National People's Coalition (NPC)
5. Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL)

How do you nominate representatives to the party-list?
Each registered organization or coalition shall submit to the Commission on Election not later than 90 days before the election a list of names. Not less than five names from party-list representatives shall be chosen in case they obtained the required number of votes.

How many seats are available under the party-list system?
The law says 20 percent of the total membership in the House of Representatives is reserved for party list representatives, or a ratio of one party-list representative for every 4 legislative district representatives. Since there are 205 legislative districts at present, 51 seats will be available for parry-list system in the May 1998 election.

How will the electorate cast their votes for the party-list?
Every voter shall be entitled to two (2) votes for the House of Representatives:
1. First vote is for the district representative (individual candidate); and
2. Second vote is for the party, organization or coalition he/she wants represented in the House of Representatives.

How shall the votes be cast?
The voting for the system will be at large not by sector. All votes obtained by a party/ organization/coalition regardless of constituency will be tallied on a nationwide basis. The percentage of votes garnered by a party/ organization/coalition shall be computed in relation to the total votes cast for the party-list nationwide.

How shall party-list seats be allocated?
1. The parties/organizations/coalitions shall be ranked from highest to lowest based on the percentage of votes garnered during the elections;

2. Only a maximum of three seats maybe allowed per party/organization/coalition. Seats are allocated at the rate of one seat per 2 percent of votes obtained.

3. Unallocated seats shall be distributed among the parties/organizations/coalitions which have not yet obtained the maximum 3 seats, provided they have mustered at least 2 percent of votes. The variance or percentage in excess of 2 percent or 4 percent (equivalent to 1 or 2 . seats that have already been obtained respectively) shall be ranked and be the basis for allocating the remaining seats.

For any inquiries or comment, you may contact the WEBMASTER
Last Updated: Sunday, May 06, 2001 10:28:53 AM