Partners for progress. Heads of BDO Foundation, BDO Network Bank, and ISA affirm their commitment to support the partnership project.
BDO Foundation has formalized its commitment to public sector transformation by signing a partnership agreement with the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA). This collaboration will support the implementation of the Performance Governance System (PGS) in two provincial governments and five schools divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Leading the ceremonial signing were BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito (2nd from left), ISA CEO Evaristo Francisco (3rd from left), and BDO Foundation trustee and BDO Branch Banking Group head Ma. Corazon Mallillin (3rd from right). Also present to witness the event were BDO Network Bank president Jesus Antonio Itchon (2nd from right) and BDO Network Bank Salary Loans Group head Alberto Quiogue (rightmost).|
The PGS is a strategic framework designed to guide public institutions in achieving long-term reforms through structured governance roadmaps. By integrating global best practices in strategy management, the PGS helps public sector organizations meet evolving demands, ensuring their initiatives endure beyond changes and disruptions.
As a non-profit organization, ISA is committed to driving public sector excellence. It envisions a Dream Philippines where every government institution delivers with integrity and efficiency, and every citizen actively contributes to nation-building.|
It may not mean anything significant, but I am curious why President Donald Trump is reportedly offering Elon Musk to handle both artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto currency in his administration.
The reports are sketchy, but Musk was also offered to run the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an offer that Musk declined because he would rather be a “volunteer IT consultant” himself.
What these bits of information are telling us, is that AI, cryptocurrency and government efficiency are all in one loop, at least in the mind of President Trump.
From what I hear, Musk is attributing government inefficiency to outdated software that is being used in the government, an issue that no one has dared to bring out in the Philippines.
I wonder what Musk is alluding to. Perhaps what he means is that the software of the US government is outdated because it does not use AI, and it also does not yet honor cryptocurrency?
Although Musk was initially quoted as saying that it is the software of the US government is outdated, he also said that in a separate quote that computers themselves are also outdated. In other words, he was referring to entire systems as being outdated.
While there is not enough information yet to make final conclusions, I could guess from my own initial observations that Musk will replace the antiquated ledgers of the US government with blockchain technology, in effect using electronic ledgers instead, but with multiple copies, so to speak.
I wonder how Musk’s technology innovations to bring about government efficiency will affect the practices of governance in the free world. I also wonder how the Philippine government will catch up, considering that up to now, most National Government Agencies (NGAs) and Local Government Units (LGUs) do not even accept personal checks yet, much less virtual money or bitcoins.
As far as I know, anything that is cloud-based and browser-based is not antiquated, but the software running in the cloud could be antiquated. Some years ago, browsers were used only for web apps, but eventually they were also used for mobile apps.
There used to be a distinction between web apps that used browsers and mobile apps that were native to the device, but now the distinctions were seemingly erased. Perhaps what Musk means by antiquated is that American government services are not yet accessible via mobile apps.
Here in the Philippines, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has already set the standard that all government services must be available online, and not only that, but they also must be interoperable. Since many NGAs and LGUs have not yet met that standard, it could be said that all of those that are below standard could be considered as antiquated.
As defined by President Marcos, Jr., all government services must be digitalized and not just “manual”, so to speak.
Going back to the basics, there is a big difference between being “computerized” and “digitalized”. As a matter of fact, a government service could already be “computerized”, but it is not yet “digitalized”.
For example, a government office could install Microsoft Excel in a computer to produce accounting spreadsheets, but that does not mean that they already have a digitalized accounting system. And if they could not even accept online payments and issue electronic receipts, that tells you a lot.|
LOBO, Batangas – PINAWALANG sala ng Court of Appeals (CA) si Mayor Lota Manalo at ang yumaong asawa nito na si dating Vice Mayor Gaudioso (Jurly) Manalo nang baligtarin ng naturang hukuman ang naunang desisyon ng Office of the Ombudsman sa ilang kasong isinampa laban sa kanila ng kontratistang Efren Ramirez Construction and General Services Corporation (ERC) na kinatawan ni Kimberly T. Ramirez.
Sa 15-pahinang desisyon ng CA, inihanay ng korte ang mga dahilan kung bakit hindi dapat patawan ng pagkatanggal sa pwesto ang mag-asawang Manalo sapagkat ang mga akusasyon umano ng naghabla ay walang batayang legal para patawan ng gayong parusa.
Nag-ugat ang kaso sa isang kasunduan o Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) na nilagdaan noong September 22, 2017 sa pagitan ng Pamahalaang Bayan ng Lobo at ng FS Suntan Corporation na may bisa sa loob ng limang taon para sa dredging, desilting and realignment ng Lobo River.
Makalipas ang pagkakabisa ng kasunduan, inilipat o isinalin ng FS Suntan ang Karapatan nito sa ilalim ng MOA sa ERC. Agosto 5, 2021, sumulat umano ang ERC sa Office of the Municipal Mayor para sa Renewal ng naturang MOA. Nobyembre 9, 2021 nagpadala umano ulit ng panibagong sulat ang ERC para sa Renewal ng MOA at sa isa pang kasunduan para naman sa Nagtaluntong River. Noong panahong iyon, ang yumaong Vice Mayor Jurly pa ang nakaupong mayor ng Lobo.
BUO at palaban kahit nag-iisa. Isang buo at palaban na Mayor Lota Manalo ang humarap sa kaniyang mga kababayan upang ihayag ang naging hatol ng Court of Appeals na pagpapawalang-sala sa kaniya at pagbasura sa naunang desisyon ng Office of the Ombudsman na nagtanggal sa kaniya sa pwesto.[Kaliwa] Mainit namang sinalubong ang alkalde ng kaniyang mga tagasuporta.|BNN photo
Hulyo 2022, naging punumbayan ng Lobo si Mayor Lota at si ‘Mayor Vice July’ ang bise-alkalde. Setyembre 2, 2022 o humigit-kumulang ay dalawang linggo bago ang expiration ng MOA, nagpadala umano ng sulat ang ERC sa Opisina ng Alaklade para mag-follow up sa renewal ng MOA. Sumagot si Mayor Lota na nakatakdang mag-expire ang MOA sa Setyembre 18, 2022.
Ipinasa rin umano ni Mayor Lota ang sulat ng ERC sa Sangguniang Bayan sapagkat sa ilalim ng Local Government Code, ang Sangguniang Bayan ang mag-aaral sa magre-rekomenda ng renewal ng MOA at lalagda lamang ang alkalde kapag binigyan na siya ng otoridad ng konseho para sa gayung paglagda.
Hindi na-renew ang MOA at wala ring bagong kasunduan na nilagdaan ang munisipyo at ERC para sa Nagtaluntong River.
Enero 2023, nag-apply ng renewal ng business permit ang ERC. Hindi umano naproseso sa One-Stop Shop ang naturang renewal ng business permit dahil sa ilang liabilities ng ERC gaya ng pagkakautang nito sa munisipyo ng P1,317,550.00 para sa Load Inspection Fees; P973,275.40 para sa rental arrears at P310,784.82 na buwis sa mga ari-ariang di natitinag.
Sa Final Demand ng munisipyo noong Enero 31, 2023, sinabing papayagang makapag-renew ng business permit ang ERC kung babayaran ang mga nasabing pagkakautang. Nagbayad naman ang ERC ay nai-renew nito ang business permit ng kumpanya.
Dahil sa hindi nakakuha ng renewal ng MOA inihabla ng ERC sina Mayor Lota at Mayor Vice Jurly sa Ombudsman dahil nagkutsabahan (conspired) umano ang mag-asawang lider para gipitin ang ERC ay hindi i-renew ang MOA; pagdaragdag ng mga kondisyon bago mag-isyu ng business permit renewal; at paglabag sa Ease of Doing Business Act.
Kinatigan ng Ombudsman ang ERC at tinanggal sa pwesto sina Mayor Lota at Vice Mayor Jurly. [Bago lumabas ang naturang hatol ng Ombudsman ay sumakabilang-buhay na si Vice Mayor Jurly.]
Matapos naman ang rebyu ng Court of Appeals (CA) sa apela ni Mayor Lota, pinatunayan ng korte na mali ang naging hatol ng Ombudsman.
Dahil sa pagkamatay ni Vice Mayor Jurly, moot and academic na para litisin pa siya gayong yumao na siya; at wala ng dapat pag-usapan pa sa kasong isinampa laban sa kanya, pahayag ng korte.
Wala pa sa pwesto si Mayor Lota nang unang sumulat ang ERC para sa renewal ng MOA. Marapat lamang na ipasa niya sa Sangguniang Bayan ang liham na natanggap niya noong makaupo na siya bilang alkalde, sapagkat walang kapangyarihan ang punumbayan na lumagda sa anumang kasunduan kung walang Resolusyon ang konseho na nagbibigay-pahintulot sa kanya para lumagda sa MOA;
Ang pag-isyu naman ng Business Permit ay hindi mandatory sa panig ng punumbayan. Nasa diskresyon ng punumbayan kung papayagang makapagnegosyo sa kaniyang bayan ang may pagkakautang sa pamahalaang bayan.
Dahil sa pagkamatay ni Vice Mayor Jurly, moot and academic na para litisin pa siya gayong yumao na siya; at wala ng dapat pag-usapan pa sa kasong isinampa laban sa kanya, pahayag ng korte.
Para sa CA, dahil mali ang na-ging desisyon ng Ombudsman sa habla laban kay Mayor Lota, ang pagkakaalis sa kaniya sa pwesto ay itinuturing na pinatawan lamang siya ng preventive suspension, at dahil sa kaniyang pagkapanalo sa apela, matatanggap pa rin ni Mayor Lota ang mga sweldo at benepisyong hindi niya natanggap mula ng alisin siya sa pwesto hanggang sa maibaba ang desisyon ng CA.
Hanggang sa sandaling sinusulat ang balitang ito, hinihintay na lamang ang aksyon ng Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) para ipatupad ang hatol ng korte.| – Joenald Medina Rayos
AS the world commemorates the 80th anniversary of the United Nations (UN), Senator Loren Legarda, a lifelong advocate for climate resilience and environmental sustainability, stands in firm commitment to working with the UN in addressing the pressing challenges of our time.
“For 80 years, the UN has been the anchor of global solidarity, a platform where humanity’s collective voice gains strength. As we celebrate this milestone, the global community must continue to work together in building a world that is just, resilient, and sustainable,” Legarda emphasized.
Legarda’s commitment to global sustainability is reflected in decades of collaboration with the UN and its agencies, positioning the Philippines as a leader in climate action and disaster risk reduction.
Through her legislative work, she has helped align the nation’s policies with UN environmental goals, championing key laws such as the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, the Climate Change Act of 2009, the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the People’s Survival Fund Act of 2012, a pioneering climate financing mechanism to support vulnerable communities.
“The Philippines is among the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world, and we have no choice but to lead. Our survival depends on our ability to innovate, legislate, and work with the global community,” she stated.
Beyond legislation, Legarda has played a key role in shaping international climate policies. She spearheaded the first consultative meeting with parliamentarians on disaster risk reduction and helped pave the way for global frameworks like the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), and its successor, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Her leadership has earned international recognition, including being named a UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Global 500 Laureate, Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific in 2008, and Global Champion for Resilience in 2015 by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). In 2017, she was designated a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) Champion by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), further amplifying her role in bridging policy and action.
“Climate action is not a solitary mission. As the UN marks its 80th anniversary, we are reminded that global cooperation is our greatest strength in confronting the climate crisis. Every policy and initiative we champion must be driven by shared responsibility,” Legarda stated.
Legarda has also advanced climate diplomacy, bringing the Philippines to the forefront of international discussions. In 2015, she delivered the Manila Call to Action on Climate Change alongside French actress Marion Cotillard during the visit of French President François Hollande to the Philippines, an appeal that contributed to the successful adoption of the Paris Agreement at COP21 in Paris later that year.
Under the 2024 General Appropriations Act, the four-term Senator secured funding for the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to support activities leading to the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France. The conference, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, is a high-level global platform dedicated to advancing ocean sustainability and implementing Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14).
Recognizing the intersection of climate and cultural resilience, Legarda has collaborated with UNESCO to preserve heritage amid climate threats. Speaking at UNESCO’s 37th General Conference in Paris, she underscored the Philippines’ dedication to cultural preservation, education, and disaster preparedness, leading to the establishment of the Southeast Asian Center for Lifelong Learning for Sustainable Development (SEA CLLSD), a regional hub for knowledge-sharing and sustainability education.
As the UN marks eight decades of fostering global unity, Legarda calls on the international community to reinforce its commitment to multilateralism, emphasizing that climate action, disaster resilience, and sustainability must remain at the heart of global cooperation.
“The UN has provided the platform, but the responsibility to act is ours. For the sake of our survival and the generations yet to come, we must rise to the challenge by legislating with courage and governing with vision,” she concluded.| (PR)
SC-432: Tsuneishi Heavy Industries' 82,400 metric tonne Kamsarmax Bulk Carrier
BALAMBAN, Cebu — Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu), Inc. continues to make waves in the global shipbuilding industry with the successful launch of SC-432, an 82,400-metric tonne Kamsarmax Bulk Carrier bound for Europe. This milestone highlights Tsuneishi’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality vessels and reinforces its strong position as a global leader in shipbuilding.
With over 30 years of operations at West Cebu Estate, Tsuneishi has launched nearly 400 ships and delivered over 370 vessels to destinations across the globe. Tsuneishi’s continued success is a testament to the estate’s robust infrastructure and strategic location, both provided by Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates — fostering a world-class environment for maritime excellence.
As the largest shipbuilder in the Philippines, Tsuneishi’s presence at West Cebu Estate has significantly contributed to the country’s economic growth and the advancement of its maritime industry. The estate’s strategic location, coupled with its comprehensive infrastructure solutions, has been instrumental in nurturing a thriving maritime ecosystem, further enhancing the Philippines’ reputation as a global maritime hub.
Spanning over 2,000 hectares of developed land, Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates continues to drive positive economic impact, having generated 100,000 jobs and attracted over ₱167 billion in investments to date. In 2024 alone, the estates facilitated $3.43 billion in exports, further demonstrating the Philippines’ competitive advantage in Southeast Asia.
Discover how our innovative solutions and next-generation developments can help accelerate your business growth. Visit us at www.aboitizeconomicestates.com and stay updated on our latest developments and initiatives by following us on social media: @aboitzeconomicestates.|
HIRING PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LGU. Aboitiz Construction collaborates with PESO to attract more talents and support local hiring, strengthening employment opportunities in various communities.
Aboitiz Construction continues to strengthen its commitment to employment generation through its Recruitment One-Stop-Shop (ROSS) activities, providing job opportunities for skilled workers in various project sites nationwide.
The company recently conducted multiple ROSS events in Lapu-Lapu City last January 22 and in Mandaue City last February 12, attracting applicants for roles such as field engineers, technicians, administrative staff, and skilled tradespeople. These events were held in partnership with local Public Employment Service Offices (PESO) and supported by government agencies such as SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and NBI.
In addition, a job caravan was held on February 19 at the VIP Lounge of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2, further expanding opportunities for job seekers in the area.
HIRING EXPANSION. Aboitiz Construction conducted a series of Recruitment One-Stop-Shop (ROSS) events in Cebu, providing job opportunities for local applicants and reinforcing its commitment to workforce development and community growth.
These recruitment initiatives aim to provide more job opportunities while strengthening the local workforce. By connecting skilled workers with ongoing projects, Aboitiz Construction contributes to building a more sustainable future for individuals and communities.
With the success of these activities, Aboitiz Construction is set to expand its ROSS events to Batangas and key areas in the Visayas and Mindanao in the coming months. Interested applicants and referrals may send their applications to aci.skilledrecruitment@aboitiz.com.|
MANILA, Philippines – XPRESS Super App, the country’s newest multi-transport ride-hailing platform, is redefining retirement by inviting senior citizens to embrace a vibrant “2nd life” after their careers. Inspired by Japan’s progressive employment model, a recent report by the Japan Business Federation revealed that in 2022, the employment rate for individuals aged 60 and older reached 25.2%, significantly higher than in the United States (18.6%) and the United Kingdom (10.9%). This encouraging data has fueled XPRESS’s mission to ensure that retirement is a time of purpose and renewal.
Designed with simplicity in mind, the XPRESS app features large, easy-to-read icons, and the company provides smartphones along with personalized training for those unfamiliar with modern technology. “We believe everyone deserves a chance to stay active and engaged,” an XPRESS spokesperson stated.
In a groundbreaking collaboration with BYD, XPRESS offers drivers the opportunity to avail Hybrid and EV loans, making sustainable vehicle ownership more accessible. During a limited-time transition period, drivers using electric EV or hybrid vehicles benefit from a 0% commission program, allowing them to maximize earnings while supporting eco-friendly transportation.
Furthering its commitment to inclusivity, XPRESS has introduced the Negosyo Program in partnership with Cebuana Lhuillier. This initiative provides exclusive financing options for driver partners across Metro Manila and key cities nationwide like Bataan, removing barriers to EV adoption.
XPRESS also addresses driver shortages during rush hours by welcoming both senior riders and drivers. With specific age requirements for 2-wheel Moto Taxis (20-60) and 4-wheel Car Taxis (20-65), additional doctor’s fit-to-drive certification for riders or drivers aged 60-65, and an active professional Philippine driver’s license, XPRESS is paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable future. Every active booking is insured for both the rider/driver and their passenger to ensure top-notch coverage.|(PR)
THE Philippines’ urbanization scene can be considered in a critical state already having the concentration of most of its 116 million population in the urban areas as supported by the recent statistics of the PSA. Experts estimate that in the year 2050, there will be 102 million Filipinos who will live in the cities. This is alarmingly double than our current figures. Some of the problems associated with urbanization more especially in a developing country like ours include high transaction costs, inefficiency, lack of innovative capacity among others.
But the most obvious effect of urbanization is traffic congestion. According again to statistics, Metro Manila, which is home to over 12 million people, is plagued by gridlock on its roads. This results to a very long commuting time which just not gives inconvenience to the people but also affecting numerous economic transactions. Data also revealed that the country is losing an estimated 3.5billion pesos daily due to traffic congestion. With this, investors would be very reluctant to take a chance in reaping the benefits of conducting their businesses in cities.
Whenever I am browsing over my social media pages, I am fond of reading socio-economic indicators of countries (at least in the ASEAN bloc) and it is very seldom that I see the Philippines as a frontrunner in some of the indicators that we can be proud of (i.e., GDP growth rate, countries with lowest inflation rates, etc.) Not until I came across with a social media post that I saw Philippines ranking number two. But the sad part is, we rank SECOND WITH THE WORST TRAFFIC SITUATION IN THE WORLD.
Now, talking about the factors that contribute to the worsening traffic situation, I personally believe that one of the key causes that has been worsening the country’s vehicle traffic situation lenient car purchase policies that we have here in the Philippines. As someone who has just owned a car due to bank financing, I am benefiting from this since if there will be stricter financing options in place, there is a slim chance that I can have the comfort and convenience of owning a car.
There is a saying that goes like this: comfort and convenience comes at a cost and some sort of sacrifice, and this proves to be true when it comes to lenient car ownership policies that we have now (i.e., getting approved to a car loan even without a garage, etc.).While these lenient car ownership policies provides opportunities for many to own cars, the government and the casas do it at the expense of contributing to the worsening traffic congestion. This goes to show that there really is a trade-off between individual comfort and convenience and collective well-being. Moreover, it only proves the power of capitalism over the interest of the greater society.
But what are the other causes of these steady increase of car ownership. We cannot deny the fact that we already have a growing middle class here in the Philippines amidst the economic crisis that the country is confronting. It is also worth noting that Philippines is ahead in terms of car ownership in Asia according to Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines. While we might say that there really are economic problems in our country brought about by political turmoil and disputes, it is safe to say that the surge in car ownership in the country can be an indirect indicator of a good national economy since a high purchasing power of people may signify it.
In the past years, financial institutions specifically banks have paved the way of easier car ownership thru rolling out low interest rates and extended payment offers. Truly, owning a car now is no longer a luxury but a realistic option and a necessity for middle income earners. But unfortunately, due to poor urban planning, the rising demand for cars aggravated by easy loan payment schemes by banks outpaces the capacity of our roads. Another thing that contributes to the malady is the unavailability of efficient public transportation system which leaves the commuters to choose owning a car instead. In other Asian countries, specifically in Singapore, the traffic condition is manageable, since its government, aside from having car ownership policies and interventions, has been very effective in rolling out convenient transportation options to the public.|
BATANGAS City — Humigit-kumulang sa 3,000 kababaihan sa lungsod ang lumahok sa Women’s Month celebration na may temang “ Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas sa Batangas City Sports Coliseum ngayong araw, March 7.
Nagsimula ang pagdiriwang sa pamamagitan ng isang banal na misa sa Basilica ng Immaculada Conception na dinaluhan ng women’s group mula sa ibat-ibang barangay.
Pumarada sila patungong Sports Coliseum kung saan isinagawa ang inihandang programa ng City Social Welfare & Development Office (CSWDO) at ng Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI).
Layunin ng pagtitipon na ipagdiwang ang tagumpay ng mga kababaihan habang kinikilala ang mga hamon na patuloy nilang kinakaharap sa pagkamit ng pagkakapantay-pantay o equality.
Ayon sa mensahe ni CSWD Officer Hiyasmin Candava, mahalaga ang papel na ginagampanan ng mga kababaihan hindi lamang sa kanilang pamilya kundi sa kaunlaran at kapakanan ng kanilang komunidad.
Binigyang diin ni Mayor Beverley sa kanyang mensahe ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng mga kababaihan sa paghubog sa lipunan gayundin bilang mga ilaw ng tahanan.
Pinayuhan din niya ang mga dumalo na tanggalin iwasan ang inggit upang magtagumpay sa buhay.
Pinuri naman at sinaluduhan ni SP Committee on Women and Children Welfare Chairperson Coun. Ched Atienza ang mga opisyales ng KALIPI sa mga programang ipinatutupad ng mga ito at para sa kapakinabangan ng kanilang mga myembro.
Highlight ng pagdiriwang ang Zumba dance competition kung saan tinanghal na kampeon ang Cluster 4 na kinabibilangan ng barangay Kumintang Ibaba at Ilaya, Santa Rita Karsada at Aplaya, Sta Clara, Wawa, Calicanto, Malitam, Bolbok at Cuta. Sila ay nagkamit ng premyong ng P10,000.00 at certificate.
Nanalo ng ikalawang pwesto ang grupo ng cluster 7 habang 3rd prize winner naman ang mga kinatawan ng cluster 3.
Ginawaran din ng parangal ang mga grupong nagwagi sa KALIPI Inter-cluster Volleyball League.
Wagi ng unang pwesto ang cluster 3, pumangalawa sa kanila ang grupo mula sa cluster 4 at 3rd place naman ang nakuha ng mga kinatawan ng cluster 6.
Nakiisa at nagpaabot din ng pagbati sa mga kababaihan ang mga myembro ng Team EBD.| – PIO Batangas City
THE country’s party-list system continues to be hijacked by the rich and powerful.
Around half of party-list groups are being used as a backdoor to further entrench their political and economic interests.
Election watchdog Kontra Daya reported that 55.13% of party-list groups vying for seats in the 2025 polls “do not represent the marginalized and underrepresented” especially in the case of those linked with political clans and big businesses.
Around 156 groups will vie for 63 seats allotted for the party list in the House of Representatives.
The party-list system was introduced in the 1987 Constitution and Republic Act 7941 (the Party-List Law) to provide a balance for locality-based lawmakers who are almost always elected on the basis of their popularity and the money that they release.
It is a proportional representation system to favor single-issue parties, and to allow underrepresented sectors to represent themselves in the law-making process.
The Constitution allots 20 percent Lower House membership for party-list nominees, wherein a party-list that receives at least 2% of the national vote is entitled to one seat in Congress, with an extra seat given for every additional 2% gained, capped at a maximum of three seats.
It was originally envisioned to focus on underrepresented community sectors or groups, including labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural, women, youth, and other such sectors as may be defined by law (except the religious sector).
However, its application changed when the Supreme Court issued a 2013 clarificatory decision noting that the party-list is a system of proportional representation open to various kinds of groups and parties, and not an exercise exclusive to marginalized sectors.
In a party-list elections, it is the party-list organization as a whole that should be evaluated by the electorate, it cannot be denied that the identity of the nominees remains a significant reference for voters. Oftentimes, voters elect a partylist based on political ads without actually knowing it or its platform.
Based on Kontra Daya’s monitoring, seven party-list groups are flagged for being linked to political clans, big businesses or the police/military – 4PS, ACT-CIS, Duterte Youth, Ako Bicol, FPJ Bantay Bayanihan, Tingog Sinirangan and TGP.
Political dynasties appear to dominate 4PS (Abalos), ACT-CIS (Tulfo and Yap), FPJ Bantay
Bayan (Poe Llamanzares with Dolor and Paton families) and Tingog Sinirangan (Romualdez).
“Tingog Sinirangan deserves close scrutiny for being linked with the Romualdez clan to which the current House Speaker belongs. ACT-CIS is also an interesting case study of how the Tulfo political clan has managed to invade not just the Senate but also the House of Representatives, aside from an appointed Cabinet position,” Kontra Daya said.
Big business interests are apparent in Ako Bicol (Sunwest) and TGP (Teravera; contractor of DPWH projects). Duterte Youth has military connections which explains its track record for redtagging.
They are among the 86 party-list groups flagged by Kontra Daya.
Aside from the three reasons, the other grounds for flagging are cases connected to pork barrel/plunder/graft and corruption; dubious advocacy; and not enough information.
In a Separate opinion in the 2013 case of Atong Paglaum, Inc. v. COMELEC (707 Phil. 454), my professor from UP College of Law and Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said that the party-list system aims to assist genuine political parties to evolve to enable true representation that will help achieve a “democratic and republican state,
“The party list system is an attempt to introduce a new system of politics in our country, one where voters choose platforms and principles primarily and candidate-nominees secondarily. As provided in the Constitution, the party list system’s intentions are broader than simply to “ensure that those who are marginalized and represented become lawmakers themselves” Leonen said,
Leonen explained that the party list system was introduced to challenge the status quo. It could not have been intended to enhance and further entrench the same system.
“ The party list system assists genuine political parties to evolve. Genuine political parties enable true representation, and hence, provide the potential for us to realize a “democratic and republican state”.
Leonen further said “ In a sense, challenging the politics of personality by constitutionally entrenching the ability of political parties and organizations to instill party discipline can redound to the benefit of those who have been marginalized and underrepresented in the past. It encourages more collective action by the membership of the party and hence will reduce the possibility that the party be controlled only by a select few.”
(Peyups is the moniker of University of the Philippines. Atty. Dennis R. Gorecho heads the seafarers’ division of the Sapalo Velez Bundang Bulilan law offices. For comments, e-mail info@sapalovelez.com, or call 0908-8665786.)
