What are Party lists?  Why should we vote for them?

Here are excerpts from Wikipedia regarding Political parties:

The Philippines has a multi-party system with numerous political parties, in which no one party often has a chance of gaining power alone, and parties must work with each other to form coalition governments. There are two types of parties in the Philippines: major parties, who correspond typically to traditional political parties, and minor parties or party-list organizations, who rely on the party-list system to win Congressional seats.

The party-list system is the name designated for the sectoral representation. Under the 1987 Constitution, the electorate can vote for certain party-list organizations in order to give voice to significant minorities of society that would otherwise not be adequately represented through geographical district. From 1987-1998, sectoral representatives were appointed by the President.

Since 1998, each voter votes for a single party-list organization. Organizations that garner at least 2% of the total number of votes are awarded one representative for every 2% up to a maximum of three representatives. Thus, there can be at most 50 sectoral representatives in Congress, though usually no more than 20 are elected because many organizations do not reach the required 2% minimum number of votes.

After the 2007 election, in a controversial decision, COMELEC changed how it allocates the party-list seats. Under the new formula only one party will have the maximum 3 seats. It based its decision on a formula contained in a Supreme Court decision.

To determine the number of seats for sectoral representatives, the formula for the quotient is:

where:

• S is the number of seats allocated for sectoral representation,
• D is the total number of district representatives, and
• D / 0.8 is the total number of members of the House.

To see more detailed formulae, click here:  Sectoral representation

Here is also an excerpt from Solidarity Philippines Australia Network:

A party-list system can help create a healthy democracy, providing a citizens’ voice in Congress and in local government. The Philippine party-list system aims to increase the representation, particularly of “marginalized and underrepresented” sectors and enhance transparency and accountability, leading to more efficient government. Political parties are strengthened, encouraging program and platform-based politics instead of weak affiliations between opportunists. This challenges moneyed and patronage politics that have bred corruption and inefficiency, hindering the country’s development.

Now that you know what party-list is, can you help us choose which among these party-list representatives is best to vote?

Here is the Comelec official ballot list for party-list groups:

Each party-list has different concerns.  I think I better add in my next post what they do and their websites.