HOUSE. OF REPRESENTATIVES:

RECEIVED
79 an 9013

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC)
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF RED ROTTATINE QEAISTRATON UNIT
H.No. ~, BLS 4ND INDEX SERVICE

Introduced by Representative Herminio Harry L, Roque Jr

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The purpose of Republic Act No. 7941, otherwise known as the “Party-List System
Act,” is to “enable Filipino citizens belonging to marginalized and underrepresented sectors,
organizations and parties" who 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 Representa

es. Women comprising
approximately half of the population in this country are among those who are marginalized

and underrepresented,

As the State recognizes the role of women in nation building, it is therefore necessary
that women be given equal rights and opportunities for political representation, articulation,

and action.

Presently, the State of women’s political representation needs to be advanced. This

ical

can be achieved by instituting structures and mechanisms whereby their pol

representation and involvement is assured. In this light, this bill seeks to institute a scheme in

the Party List System that will increase the chances for political representation of women, It



provides that at least forty percent (40%) of the five nominees per registered organization be

women; and that at least one of the first three positions be occupied by a woman nominee."

HERMINIO HARRY L. ROQUE JR.

+ This bill was originally filed by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago during the Thirteenth Congress, First

Regular Session.
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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC )
OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE PEEP AEY TATIVES
Sy eS

Introduced by Representative Herminio Harry L. Roque Jr

AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “PARTY-LIST SYSTEM ACT”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7941, otherwise known as the “Party-List

System Act.” is hereby amended to read as follows:

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"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 FORTY PERCENT (40%) OF WHICH MUST BE WOMEN, from
which party representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required number
of votes]; 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; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT THE FINAL
FIVE REPRESENTATIVES SHALL CONSIST OF TWO MEN AND TWO
WOMEN CHOSEN BY THE REGISTERED PARTY, ORGANIZATION,
OR COALITION, WITH THE LAST REPRESENTATIVE CHOSEN BY
DRAWING LOTS AMONG THE REMAINING NOMINEES; PROVIDED,
FINALLY, THAT THE RANKING OF THE FINAL FIVE

REPRESENTATIVES BE DONE BY DRAWING LOTS, WITH AT LEAST


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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 may be named in the list. The list shall not include

any candidate for any elective position who has lost his bid for an elective office
in the immediately preceding election. No change of names or alteration of the
order of nominees shall be allowed after the same shall have been submitted to the
COMELEC except in cases where the nominee dies, or withdraws in writing his
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 Representative who are nominated in the party-list system shall not be

considered resigned.”

SECTION 2. Separability Clause. - If any provision is held invalid or unconstitutional,

subsisting.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause, - Any law, presidential decree oF ii

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to or inco

with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and

ance, executive

stent

SECTION 4, Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

ey