TACLOBAN CITY- She agrees that the party-list system has been abused but abolishing it would be a big disservice to genuine groups which advance the interests of their respective constituents. Thus said Rep. Victoria Noel of the An Waray party-list group, reacting on the plan of President Rodrigo Duterte to abolish the party-list system.
The President said that the party-list system has been abused by some well-moneyed politicians and their families to gain more power. “I agree what President Rodrigo Duterte has said that it has been abused in a way. However, this is not the fault of the honest to goodness party-list(groups),” Noel said. “I do not conform to the abolition but I go for reform or amend the party-list law,” she added. Noel said that there were already moves in previous Congress to amend laws governing the party-list system but failed to take off. She said that she will introduce a bill that will seek the amendment of the system. Noel, however, did not elaborate what possible changes she will introduce to the system. The party-list system was introduced under the 1986 Constitution to provide representation at the Lower House to give sectors considered underrepresented or not represented. “We agree that there should be a reform and really make sure that the representation of people that are unrepresented will be represented in Congress,”Noel said. “The President should know that party-list representatives are the ones who religiously attends committee hearings; the ones who helps to constitute quorum. They are really hardworking,” Noel added. (LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
