FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
7 a - 3  4339 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
SBN No. 
658 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The purpose of the Party List System Act is to "enable Filipino citizens belonging 
to marginalized and under represented sectors, organizations and parties" which lack 
well defined political constituencies but who could "contribute to the formulation and 
enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to become 
members of the House of Representatives." Women, comprising approximately half of 
the population not only in this country but also globally as well, are among those who are 
marginalized and under represented. 
As the State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, it is therefore 
necessary that women be given equal rights, opportunities and chances, for political 
representation, articulation and action. 
Presently, the state of women's political representation needs improvement. This 
can be achieved by instituting structures and mechanisms whereby their political 
representation and involvement is assured. 
There are various reasons why women's political representation needs to be 
advanced. The need for feminist legislation cannot be emphasized, and there is no 
doubt that women are more reliable feminists than men. There is likewise benefit in 
terms of increased competition for public office hence, the quality of political leadership 
will necessarily improve because of the larger number of individuals involved. There is 
great value in providing of a venue for women's ideals and issues in a country or world 
where approximately half of the population is women. 
Finally, increased women's participation is due to a number of factors. The 
political system and structures are not friendly to women. Political party leaders usually 
discriminate against them and they are not encouraged to run or are discouraged to run 
for office. 
Needless to say, political parties are crucial to women's chances in public office. 
This is implemented by having women represented in the parties' governing bodies and 
in party groups that determine who will be candidates for public office. And because 
party lists are nominated, it is feasible to ensure significant women's representation. 
Instituting a scheme in the Party List System that will increase women's 
representation is just a step towards the achievement of equalization of political 
representation for women and men. Thus, the early passage of this bill is earnestly 
solicited. 
EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
7 JUI -3 A959 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
R E C E W  an: 
SBN No. 
658' 
Introduced by Senator JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PARTY LIST SYSTEM ACT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT SEVENTY NINE FORTY-ONE, 
SECTION 1. Section 8 of the Republic Act Seventy Nine Forty One is 
hereby amended to read as follows: 
"Section 8. Nomination of Party List Representatives. - Each 
registered party, organization or coalition shall submit to the 
COMELEC not later than forty-five (45) days before the election a 
list of names, not less than five (5), at least [half] FORTY 
PERCENT (40%) of which must be women, from which party 
representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required 
number of votes [.I: PROVIDED, THAT EACH REGISTERED 
PARTY, 
ORGANIZATION 
OR 
COALITION, 
BEFORE 
SUBMITTING THE LIST TO THE COMELEC, NOMINATED 
AMONG THEMSELVES, REPRESENTATIVES OF AN EVEN 
NUMBER, FIFTY PERCENT (50%) OF WHICH ARE WOMEN 
WHO, ASIDE FROM HAVING THE QUALIFICATIONS LISTED 
UNDER SECTION 9 OF THIS ACT, ARE ALSO RECOGNIZED AS 
CHAMPIONS OF WOMEN'S CAUSES: PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
THAT THE FINAL FIVE REPRESENTATIVES WILL CONSIST OF 
TWO MEN AND TWO WOMEN CHOSEN BY THE REGISTERED 
PARTY, ORGANIZATION OR COALITION, WITH THE LAST 
REPRESENTATIVES CHOSEN BY DRAWING LOTS AMONG 
THE REMAINING NOMINEES: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE 
RANKING OF THE FINAL REPRESENTATIVES, BE DONE BY 
DRAWING LOTS, WITH AT LEAST ONE OF THE FIRST THREE 
POSITIONS TO BE OCCUPIED BY A WOMAN NOMINEE. 
A person may be nominated in one (1) list only. 
Only 
persons who have given their consent in writing maybe named in 
the list. The list shall not include any candidate for any elective 
position who has lost hislher bid for an elective office in the 
immediately preceding election. No change of names or alteration 
of the order of the committees shall be allowed after the same shall 
have been submitted to the COMELEC except in cases where the 
nominee dies or withdraws in writing hidher nomination or 
becomes incapacitated in which case the name of the substitute 
nominee shall be placed in the list. 
Incumbent sectoral 


representatives in the House of Representatives who are 
nominated .in the party-list system shall not be considered 
resigned." 
SEC. 2. Section 11 of the same law is hereby amended to read as follows: 
"See. 11. Number of Party-List Representatives. - The party- 
list representative shall constitute twenty percent (20%) of the total 
number of the members of the House of Representatives including 
those under the party-list. 
For the purposes of the election, the first five (5) major 
political parties on the basis of party representation in the House of 
Representatives at the start of the Tenth Congress of the 
Philippines AND NEW POLITICAL PARTIES FORMED BY THE 
DISQUALIFIED POLITICAL PARTIES AS DETERMINED BY 
THEIR MEMBERSHIP OR AFFILIATION shall not be entitled to 
participate in the party-list system. 
In determining the allocation of seats for the second vote, the following 
procedures shall be observed: 
(a) The parties, organizations and coalitions shall be ranked from the 
highest to the lowest based on the number of votes they garnered 
during the elections. 
(b) The parties, organization and coalitions receiving at least two 
percent (2%) of the total votes cast for the party list system shall be 
entitled to one seat each: Provided, That those garnering more 
than two percent (2%) of the votes shall be entitled to additional 
seats in proportion to their total number of votes: [Provided, further, 
That half of those appointed under the party-list must be women:] 
Provided, finally, That each party, organization, or coalition shall be 
entitled to not more than three (3) seats." 
SEC. 3. Repealing Clause. - All laws, rules and regulations and municipal 
and city ordinances which may be inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 4. Separability Clause. - If any portion of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby 
shall remain in force and effect. 
SEC. 5, Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following 
its complete publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,