QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 7941)
It is known as the “Party-List System Act.” It provides for the election of party-list representatives through a party-list system and appropriates funds for its implementation.
The State promotes proportional representation through a party-list system so marginalized and underrepresented Filipino citizens without well-defined constituencies can be represented in the House, while developing and guaranteeing a full, free and open party system and providing the simplest scheme possible.
A mechanism of proportional representation in electing House of Representatives members from registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof with COMELEC.
A political party advocates an ideology/platform and nominates/supports leaders as candidates for public office; a sectoral party is an organized group whose principal advocacy pertains to the special interest and concerns of its enumerated sector.
Labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals.
Not later than ninety (90) days before the election.
A petition verified by its president or secretary stating desire to participate, attaching its constitution, by-laws, platform/program, list of officers, coalition agreement (if applicable), and other relevant information COMELEC may require; filed not later than ninety (90) days before the election.
It must publish the petition in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
After due notice and hearing, resolve within fifteen (15) days from submission for decision, but in no case later than sixty (60) days before election.
The party-list may be refused/canceled on grounds including: religious organization organized for religious purposes; advocating violence/unlawful means; foreign party/organization; receiving foreign government support for partisan election purposes; election law violations/failure to comply; untruthful statements in petition; ceased to exist for at least one (1) year; or failure to participate in last two preceding elections or obtain at least 2% votes in both prior elections.
It is the list prepared by COMELEC not later than sixty (60) days before election, distributed for posting in polling places; it must not show the names of party-list nominees.
They must submit to COMELEC not later than forty-five (45) days before the election a list of names (not less than five (5)) from which representatives will be chosen in case of sufficient votes.
A person may be nominated in one (1) list only; only persons who gave written consent may be named; the list cannot include any candidate for any elective office or a person who lost a bid for an elective office in the immediately preceding election.
Natural-born citizen, registered voter, resident in the Philippines at least one (1) year immediately before election, able to read and write, bona fide member of the party/organization he seeks to represent for at least ninety (90) days before election, and at least twenty-five (25) years old on election day.
Youth sector nominees must be at least twenty-five (25) but not more than thirty (30) years old on election day; those who attain age thirty (30) during their term may continue until expiration of term.
Each voter has two (2) votes: one for a legislative district candidate and one for a party/sectoral organization/coalition. A party-list vote for an entity not entitled to be voted for is not counted.
Party-list seats constitute 20% of total House members. Parties/coalitions with at least 2% of party-list votes get one seat each, with additional seats proportional to votes but capped at not more than three (3) seats per party/organization/coalition. Allocation is based on nationwide tally and proportional ranking by votes received.
They are elected for three (3) years and shall not serve for more than three (3) consecutive terms.
He forfeits his seat. If he changes affiliation within six (6) months before an election, he is not eligible for nomination as party-list representative under his new party or organization.
The vacancy is automatically filled by the next representative from the same party’s list in the order submitted to COMELEC, serving the unexpired term. If the list is exhausted, additional nominees must be submitted.