FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2 4 7 a 
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INTRODUCED BY SEN. 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 legislatioQ that will benefit the nation as a whole, to become 
members of the House of Representatives." VVomen, 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. 
Y EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 2 4'7 0 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT SEVENTY NINE FORTY-ONE (R.A. 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 the Republic Act Seventy Nine Forty One (RA 7941) 
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 PERCE:NT (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 his/her 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 
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submitted to the COMELEC except in cases where the nominee 
dies or withdraws in writing his/her 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: 
"Sec. 11. Number of Party-List Representatives. - The partylist 
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 . 
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Approved, 
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