MANILA, Philippines鈥斺�漈his party-list (system), that鈥檚 one evil.鈥�
President Rodrigo Duterte issued the scathing remark 听Wednesday night as he lamented the entry of millionaires in Congress through the party-list system, impairing its mandate to provide representation for the marginalized sectors.
鈥淓veryone involved there are the rich,鈥� Duterte pointed out after the oath-taking of newly elected officials of Cagayan de Oro City.
鈥淭he rich people fund the party-lists. They are named after laborers but the people behind it are the millionaires. So they stay in power there.鈥�
The听party-list听system was enacted in 1995 to provide the marginalized and underrepresented sectors a voice in Congress.
The听party-list听system, however, has long been criticized for supposedly being utilized as a political vehicle.
According to election watchdog group Kontra Daya, nearly half of the party-list groups that participated in the May midterm elections have ties with political dynasties, represent special business interests or are marred with questionable advocacies.听 (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)
搁贰础顿:听Politicians exploit听party-list听system to build dynasties
搁贰础顿:听61 party-list reps proclaimed; ACT-CIS, Bayan Muna get 听3 seats each
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