Duterte laments entry of rich people in party-list system

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday lamented the use of the party-list system by millionaires to gain seats in the House of Representatives, undermining the original goal of providing representation to marginalized sectors.

Speaking before newly elected officials of Cagayan de Oro City, Duterte called the party-list system “evil.”

“This partylist [system] that’s one evil. Everyone involved there are the rich,” he said.

“The rich people fund the partylists. They are named after laborers but the people behind it are the millionaires. So they stay in power there.”

The party-list system was first implemented in the 1998 presidential election. But through the years, the proliferation of millionaire party-list lawmakers has tainted its intention of getting marginalized sectors represented in Congress.

Some party-list groups also have ties to well-entrenched political dynasties.

Under the Constitution, 20 percent of the members of the House (or 61 seats in the 2019 polls) should come from the party-list ranks.