UP offers special course for party-list legislators

Opinion
Written by Liling Magtolis Briones / Boiled Green Bananas
BUSINESS MIRROR, Sunday, 27 June 2010 20:50


On June 30 the oath-taking ceremonies for President-elect Noynoy C. Aquino and Vice President-elect Jejomar Binay will usher in a new administration. A new Congress will also be convened. There will be 55 congressmen and women representing party lists when the House of Representatives starts its sessions. This is in fulfillment of the constitutional provision which requires representation for marginalized sectors in lawmaking.

Ely Manalansan, in his study on the party-list system, quotes former Supreme Court Justice Artemio Panganiban thus: “the system is intended as a social-justice tool designed not only to give more law to the great masses of our people who have less in life, but also to enable them to become veritable lawmakers themselves, empowered to participate directly in the enactment of laws designed to benefit them.”

Has the constitutional intention been complied with? It has been 12 years since the party-list system was implemented in 1998. While the number of party-lists running for office has increased, doubts have been increasingly expressed about their effectiveness. Studies on party-list performance have shown that many party lists do not necessarily represent marginalized sectors. The definition of marginalized sectors has been much abused. Further, the party-list record of performance in terms of bills filed and laws passed has been perceived as woefully inadequate.

Certain quarters have been calling for the abolition of the party-list system. Throwing out the baby along with the bath water may not be the solution. Even with all the abuses associated with it, the party-list system nevertheless provides a window of opportunity for the truly marginalized to be represented. The challenge is to continue engaging the system and be part of initiatives to fulfill the intentions of the Constitutions.

One way is to enhance the capacities of the party-list legislators to make them more effective in legislative work and better serve their constituents in the marginalized sectors.

A special course for party-list legislators

Last week the public was titillated with the news that celebrities and national personalities were undergoing special training as district congressmen and women, and local government officials. The trainings were conducted by the Center for Leadership, Citizenship and Democracy and the Center for Regional and Local Governance, both of the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG).

From July 5 to 10, another NCPAG unit, the Center for Policy and Executive Development, will conduct a capacity enhancement course specifically for party-list legislators. The course director is yours truly.

What is special about party lists?

While all members of the House of Representatives are apparently “the same,” party lists do have special requirements. First, their constituents are national in scope and are not limited to geographical districts. Second, they are expected to represent, protect and serve the interests of a very specific sector—the marginalized and the excluded. Thus, unlike district congressmen, they are not expected to file bills and pass laws for the business sector. They are expected to sponsor resolutions, file bills and pass laws which directly benefit the marginalized, particularly the agricultural sector, landless rural poor, urban poor, fisherfolk and indigenous peoples.

Third, it is likely that more civil-society organizations and voluntary service organizations will engage them on alternative solutions to national problems. For example, the Alternative Budget Initiative convened by Social Watch Philippines will be of special interest to them since the main beneficiaries will be the marginalized.

Proposed subjects

Subjects to be discussed include the basics of good governance. Governance includes public participation, transparency, predictability, level playing field and accountability. The intention of the Constitution in setting up the party-list system will also be discussed.

Public financial management will be a major topic, with the course director herself handling the subject. The passage of the General Appropriation Act is the most important output of the legislature. It is, therefore, imperative for party-list legislators to have a full grasp of the public-finance cycle, the budget process and the Alternative Budget Initiative.

Other subjects include policy analyses and dialogues with grassroots organizations.

The faculty is a mix of experts as well as professionals who have direct experience in congressional work.
Yes, the participation of party-list legislators can be enhanced further. They do matter, especially to the marginalized.

Please address inquiries to Ms. Bernardia Briones and Clarisa Sia at Tels. 920-1353 and 925-4030.