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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No. (Ea

Introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PClJ), 37% of
voters failed to choose a party-list in the 2019 national and local elections. This rate
represents 16 million out of 42.7 million voters, a significant increase from the 20%
recorded in the previous election cycle. This glaring increase in undervotes has been
mainly attriouted to technicality, with the voters overlooking the roster of parties placed
at the back of the ballot. Others, meanwhile, maintained that vague understanding of
the party-list system and its function led to the electorate’s deliberate exclusion of party-
lists in the ballots they casted. The reasons may vary, but it only reflects the
underappreciation of a constitutionaily-mandated system that protects the welfare of the
marginaiized

This bili aims strengthen and democratize the Philippine electoral and political
system by amending the 25-year old Party List System Act (Republic Act 7941). Among
the proposed amendments in the bill include the removal of the additional requirements
for parties already registered with the COMELEC and adding a provision for voter's
education. The former aims to streamline participatory requirements, while the latter is
set to promote people's participation by formulating an_ information-education-
communication (IEC) campaign on the mandate and role of party-lists in Philippine
legislature.

It is high time we strengthen the system that was established to safeguard the
welfare of the marginalized and underrepresented sectors. Doing so is tantamount to
‘empowering the people we represent.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is sou

‘SH: IN S. GARIN
AAMBIS-OWA Party List


Republic of the Piillippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Reguler Session

House Bill No. 4257

introduced by Representative Sharon S. Garin,

AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM, 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 3 of Republic Act No. 7941, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 3. Definition of Terms. -
AXX X KOCu nex

(4) A sectoral party refers to (1) an organized group of citizens 3
belonging io any of the MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRECENTED
sectors [enumerated] AS PROVIDED in Section 5 hereof whose principai
eAvocacy pertains to the [special] interest and concerns of [their] its
sector OR TO (2) AN ORGANIZED GROUF OF CITIZENS LACKING A
WELL-DEFINED CONSTITUENCY.

(e) A sectoral organization refers to a group of citizens or a coalition of
groups of citizens who share [similar physical attributes or characteristics,
employment] interests AND [or] concerns.

nore Xe KK

(G) AVAILABLE SEATS REFER TO THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF SEATS
RESERVED FOR THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM AS PROVIDED FOR IN
SECTION 11 OF THIS Act.

(H) WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD REFERS TO THE
VALUE OF [1/AVAILABLE SEATS) *100%. THE VALUE OF THE
“WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD” SHALL BE


EXPRESSED IN AT LEAST SIX (6) DECIMAL PLACES FOR
ACCURACY.

()) WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTERS REFER TO THOSE NATIONAL,
REGIONAL AND SECTORAL PARTIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND
COALITIONS WHOSE PERCENTAGE OF VOTES RECEIVED SHALL
BE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE MINIMUM PERCENTAGE
THRESHOLD AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH (H] OF THIS SECTION.

SEC. 2. Section 4 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 4.: Manifestation to Participate in the Party-List System. - Any
NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL party, organization, or coalition
already registered with the [Commission] COMELEC UNDER THIS ACT,
need not register anew{,] AND SHALL AUTOMATICALLY BE ELIGIBLE
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTY-LIST ELECTIONS WITHOUT
FURTHER REQUIREMENT PROVIDED THAT IT HAS NOT CEASED TO
EXIST FOR AT LEAST ONE (1) YEAR PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE
PARTY-LIST ELECTIONS, OR WAS NOT DISSOLVED, ABSORBED
OR MERGED W!TH ANOTHER PARTY, ORGANIZATION OR
COLATION.

(However, s]Such NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL party,
organization, or coalition shall FORMALLY MANIFEST !TS INTENTION
TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTY-LIST ELECTIONS [file with the
Commission, not later than ninety (90)} HUNDRED EIGHTY (180)
days before the electionS. [, a manifestation of its desire to participate in
the party-list system.]

SEC. 2. Section 5 of the same Act is hereby ar.ended to read as follows:

Section 5. Registration. —

(A) JOINT INITIAL REGISTRATION AS POLITICA: PARTY 51 AND
PARTY LIST. — Any QUALIFIED forganized] group of persons may
register as a NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL POLITICAL
party [, organization or coalition for purposes of] AND AS A
PARTICIPANT IN the party-list system by filing with the COMELEC not
later than (ninety (90)] ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180) days before the
election a petition verified by its president or [secretary]
CHAIRPERSON, OR IN “THEIR ABSENCE, THE SECRETARY-
GENERAL stating THE FOLLOWING: 2

(1) ITS INTENTION TO BE REGISTERED AS A POLITICAL PARTY
UNDER SECTION 61 OF BATAS PAMBANSA BILANG 881
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “OMN’SUS ELECTION CODE:”
PROVIDED, THAT ALL DOCUMENTARY AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS UNDER SECTION 61 OF BP 881 SHOULD BE
ATTACHED TO THE VERIFIED PETITION FOR REGISTRATION; AND


(2) its [desire] INTENTION to participate in the party-list system as a
national, regional, or sectoral party. [or organization or a coalition of such
parties or organizations, attaching thereto its constitution, by-laws,
platform or program af government, list of officers, coalition agreement and
other relevant information as the COMELEC may require:]

(B)iNITIAL REGISTRATION OF EXISTING POLITICAL PARTIES AS
PARTY-LIST. — ANY POLITICAL PARTY ALREADY REGISTERED
WITH THE COMELEC UNDER SEC. 61 OF BP 881 MAY
PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTY-LIST ELECTIONS BY FILING WITH
THE COMELEC NOT LATER THAN NE HUNDRED EIGHTY (180)
DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, A PETITION VERIFIED BY ITS.
PRESIDENT OR CHAIRPERSON, OR, IN THEIR ABSENCE, ITS
SECRETARY- GENERAL, STATING ITS INTENT TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM.

THE PETITION REQUIRED IN SUB-PARAGRAPHS (A) AND [B)
OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE VERIFIED AND SHALL STATE
THE FOLLOWING:

(i) NAME AND ACRONYM OF THE PARTY, ORGANIZATION
OR COALITION, WITH THE ACRONYM NOT EXCEEDING
TWENTY (20) CHARACTERS;

(ii) NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION, WHETHER IT IS A
NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL PARTY,
ORGANIZATION OR COALITION;

(ili) FOR SECTCRAL PARTIES, THE SECTOR OR SECTORS
WHICH IT SEEKS TO REPRESENT;

(iv) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ITS PRESIDENT OR Oy Ch
de 03 CHAIRPERSON OR, IN THEIR ABSENCE, THE
SECRETARY- GENERAL, WHO WILL REPRESENT THE
PARTY IN THE PETITION;

(v) PETITIONER’S PRINCIPAL HEADQUARTERS AND
POSTAL OFFICE ADDRESS;

(vi) NAMES, POSITIONS, AND ADDRESSES OF ITS ELECTED
OFFICERS;

(vii) PETITIONER'S INTENTION OR DESIRE TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE PARTY-LIST ELECTION;

(viii) NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ITS CHAPTER OFFICES;


(ix) THE PERIOD OF EXISTENCE OF PETITIONER, WHICH
SHALL BE AT LEAST ONE [1] YEAR AT THE TIME THE
PETITION 15 FILED;

(x) THE LIST OF DOCUMENTS ATTACHED TO THE
PETITION;

(xi) THAT ALL OF ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS ARE MADE
AWARE OF THE PETITION AND HAVE GIVEN THEI
CONSENT THERETO;

(xii) THAT IT IS NOT A RELIGIOUS SECT OR DENOMINATION,
ORGANIZATION OR ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED FOR
RELIGIOUS PURPOSES;

THAT IT SHALL NOT ADVOCATE VIOLENCE OR
UNLAWFUL MEANS TO ACHIEVE iTS GOALS;

(xiv) THAT IT iS NOT ADJUNCT OR A PROJECT CRGANIZED
OR AN ENTITY FUNDED OR ASSISTED BY THE
GOVERNMENT;

(xv) THAT IT IS NOT A FORE/GN PARTY OR ORGANIZATION;

(xvi) THAT IT DOES NOT RECEIVE SUPPCR? FOR PARTISAN
POLITICAL PURPOSES FROM ANY  FORFIGN
GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN POLITICAL PARTY,
FOUNDATION, ORGANIZATION, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, OR THROUGH ITS OFFICERS OR
MEMBERS, OR INDIRECTLY THROUGH THIRD PARTIES;

(xvii) THAT IT COMMITS TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS,
RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO ELECTIONS;
AND

(xviii) IN THE CASE OF A NATIONAL OR REGIONAL PARTY,
ORGANIZATION OR COALITION, AN UNDERTAKING
THAT IT SHALL NOT FIELD CANDIDATES IN THE
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ELECTIONS.

THE PRESIDENT OR CHAIRPERSON OR, IN THEIR ABSENCE,
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL REPRESENTING THE PARTY
SHALL SIGN THE VERIFICATION PORTION OF THE PETITION


STATING UNDER OATH THAT HE IS ONE OF THE OFFICERS
OF THE PETITIONER DULY AUTHORIZED TO VERIFY THE
PETITION; TH.AT HE HAS CAUSED THE PREPARATION AND
FILING OF THE PETITION; AND THAT HE READ AND
UNDERSTOOD THE CONTENTS OF THE PETITION AND
ACKNOWLEDGES THE SAME TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT
BASED ON HIS PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE.

Provided, Ti 3t FOR THE PURPOSE OF REGISTERING AS A
SECTORAL PARTY, the sectors shall inchide labor, peasant,
fisherfolk, irban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly,
COOPERATIVES, handicapped, women, youth, veterans,
overseas workers. and professional[s] SECTORS. NATIONAL
AND REGIONAL PARTIES SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED TO
REGISTER A SECTORAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE PURPOSE
OF PARTICIPATING IN THE PARTY- LIST SYSTEM.

THE COMELEC MAY MOTU PROPRIO, REFUSE TO GIVE DUE
COURSE TO A VERIFIED PETITION FOR REGISTRATION OR,
UPON A VERIFIED PETITION OF AN INTERESTED PARTY AND
AFTER A SUMMARY HEARING, DENY SAID VERIFIED
PETITION FOR REGISTRATION, IF IT IS SHOWN THAT SUCH
PETITION HAS BEEN FILED TO (1) PUT THE PARTY-LIST
ELECTION PROCESS IN MOCKERY OR DISREPUTE. OR (2)
CAUSE CONFUSION AMONG THE VOTERS BY THE
SIMILARITY CF PETITIONER’S NAME TO ANY PREVIOUSLY
REGISTERED PARTY-LIST, OR EY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES
OR ACTS THAT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THAT THE
PETITIONER HAS NO BONA FIDE INTENTION TO RUN IN THE
PARTY-LIST ELECTIONS AND THUS THAT GIVING DUE
COURSE TO THE VERIFIED PETITION OR APPROVING THE
REGISTRATION OF THE APPLICANT PARTY, ORGANIZATION
OR COALITION SHALL PREVENT A_ FAITHFUL
DETERMINATION OF THE TRUE WILL OF THE ELECTORATE.

FAILURE TO SUBMIT ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED
FORMAL REQUIREMENTS SHALL RESULT IN THE DISMISSAL
MOTU PROPRIO OF ITS VERIFIED PETITION FOR
REGISTRATION; OTHERWISE, The COMELEC _ shall
IMMEDIATELY publish the VERIFIED petition in at least two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation SETTING THE on
SAME FOR HEARING.

The COMELEC shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the 4
petition, INCLUDING A MOTION FOR ITS RECONSIDERATION
within [fifteen (15)] THIRTY (30) days from the date [it was
submitted for decision but in no case] OF ITS SUBMISSION FOR
RESOLUTION BUT not later than [sixty (60)] ONE HUNDRED


TWENTY (120) days before election. THE RESOLUTION OF THE
PETITION FOR REGISTRATION 10 SHALL 8E LIMITED TO AN
EVALUATION OF ITS COMPLIANCE WITH THE
DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS AND ITS ELIGIBILITY
UNDER SECTION 6.

(C) PARTIES, ORGANIZATIONS OR COALITIONS 15
PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED UNDER THE PARTY-LIST
ELECTIONS SHALL NOT BE REQUIRED 10 REGISTER UNDER
SUBPARAGRAPHS (A) OR (B) OF THIS SECTION: PROVIDED,
THAT THEY COMPLY WITH THE 19 REQUIREMENTS IN
SECTION 4.

SEC. 4. Section 6 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 6. [Refusal] REMOVAL and/or Cancellation of registration,
— The COMELEC may, motu proprio or upon A verified compliant
of any interested party, [refuse] remove or cancel, after due notice
and hearing, the registration of any national, regional or sectoral
party, organization or coalition on any of the following grounds:

XxX PRG eXIX.

(6) It declares ANY untruthfal statement{s} in its petition or 33
SUBMISSIONS;

(7) It [has] WAS DISSC_VED, ABSORBED, MERGED AND/OR
HAS ceased to exist [for at least one (1) year; or];

(8) [It fails to participate in the last two (22 preceding elections or
fails to obtain at least two percentum (2%) of the votes cast under
the party-lic', system in the two (2) preceding elections for the
constituency in which it has registered) IN THE CASE OF A
NATIONAL OR REGIONAL PARTY, ORGANIZATION OR
COALITION, THAT IT NOMINATED CANDIDATES IN THE
DISTRICT ELECTIONS FOR THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES.

A NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL PARTY,
ORGANIZATION OR COALITION WHICH (i) FAILS TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE TWO (2) IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING
ELECTIONS, OR (ii) HAVING PARTICIPATED THEREIN FAILS
TO OBTAIN AT LEAST THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE
OF CAST FOR PARTY-LiST REPRESENTATIVE VOTES, OR (iii)
NOT ONLY FAILED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING ITS REGISTRATION IN THE
PARTY-LIST 5 SYSTEM, BUT ALSO FAILED TO OBTAIN AT
LEAST THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE OF VOTES
CAST FOR PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVES IN THE


IMMEDIATELY 8 SUBSEQUENT ELECTIONS, SHALL BE
AUTOMATICALLY DROPPED FROM THE LIST OF PARTY-
LIST, PARTIES, ORGANIZATIONS OR _ COALITIONS:
PROVIDED, THAT THIS SHALL BE A GROUND FOR THE
AUTOMATIC CANCELLATION OF ITS REGISTRATION:
PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT NO COMPLAINT OR PETITION IS
NEEDED TO EFFECT SUCH A CANCELLATION: PROVIDED,
FINALLY, THAT CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION UNDER
THESE GROUNDS WILL PERPETUALLY BAR THE
ORGANIZATION FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE PARTY-LIST
SYSTEM.

A COMPLAINT FOR CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION OF
ANY NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL PARTY MAY
ONLY BE FILED ONCE EVERY THREE (3) YEARS AND IN NO
22 CASE WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS BEFORE THE NEXT
NATIONAL ELECTIONS: PROVIDED, THAT NO CASE OF THE
SAME OR SIMILAR NATURE SHALL BE RECOGNIZED BY THE
COMELEC AFTER THE SAID PERIOD. ALL COMPLAINTS FOR
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION MUST BE DECIDED BY
THE COMELEC NOT LATER THAN SIXTY (60) DAYS BEFORE
THE NEXT ELECTIONS.

THE PENDENCY OF A COMPLAINT AND/OR MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION DENYING A
COMPLAINT FOR CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION OF A
NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL PARTY SHALL NOT BE
A GROUND FOR DEFERMENT OF THE PROCLAMATION OF
‘THE CONCERNED PARTY-LIST.”

SEC. 5. Section 7 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as sollows:

Section 7. Certified List of Registered Parties. —The COMELEC
shall, not later than [sixty (60)] SEVENTY-FIVE (75) days before
election, prepare a certified list of national, regional, or sectoral
parties, organizations or coalitions which have applied or [who
have] manifested their desire to participate under the party-list
system and distribute copies thereof to all precincts for posting in
the polling places on election day. [The names of the party-list
nominees shall not be shown on the certified list] THE CERTIFIED
LIST SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL
CIRCULATION AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK, FOR TWO (2)
CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.

SEC. 6. Section 8 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 8 Nomination of Party-List Representatives. — Each
recistered NATIONAL, REGIONAL OR SECTORAL pariy,
organization or coalition shall submit to the COMELEC not later


than [forty-five (45)] NINETY (90) days before the election a list of
names, not less than five (5), from which party-list representatives
shall he chosen in case it obtains the required number of votes.
SUCH LIST SHALL BE VERIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT OR
CHAIRPERSON, OR IN THEIR ABSENCE, THE SECRETARY-
GENERAL, OF THE PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION.

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 office or a person
who has lost his bid for an elective office IN THE CURRENT OR in
the immediately preceding election, EXCLUDING BARANGAY
ELECTIONS: PROVIDED, THAT ANY INCUMBENT APPOINTED
GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL AND EMPLOYEE. INCLUDING ANY
ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE
PHILIPPINES AND ANY EMPLOYEE IN GOVERNMENT-OWNED
OR -CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS WHO IS NOMINATED TO
THE PARTY-LIST SHALL BE CONSIDERED /PSO FACTO
RESIGNED FROM THE SERVICE ON THE LAST DAY OF FILING
OF CERTIFICATES OF CANDIDACY FOR NATIONAL ELECTIVE
POSITIONS.

NO PARTY-LIST NOMINEE FROM THE SAME PARTY,
ORGANIZATION OR COALITION SHALL BE RELATED UP TO
THE FOURTH DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY TO
OTHER PARTY-LIST NOMINEES.

ANY PARTY-LIST MEMBER OR NOMINEE WHO BECOMES A
MEMBER OR NOMINEE OF ANOTHER PARTY SHALL BE
CONSIDERED RESIGNED FROM THE ORIGINAL OR
PREVIOUS PARTY.

No change of names or alteration of the order of nominees shall be
allowed after the samme shall have been submitted to the
COMELEC except in cases where the nominee dies, or withdraws
in wilting his homunation, OR becomes incapacitated in which case
the name ol 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.]

THE COMELEC SHALL, NOT LATER THAN SEVENTY-FIVE (75)
DAYS BEFORE ELECTION, PREPARE A CERTIFIED LIST OF
NOMINEES. THE CERTIFIED LIST SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN A
NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION AT LEAST ONCE A
WEEK FOR TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE WEEKES.

IN CASE TWO (2) DIFFERENT LISTS OF NOMINEES ARE
SUBMITTED, THE COMELEC SHALL RECOGNIZE THE LIST


VERIFIED BY THE PRESIDENT OR CHAIRPERSON, OR IN
THEIR ABSENCE, THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THRE
PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION.

ISSUES IN REGARD TO TWO (2) OR MORE DIFFERENT L!STS
OF NOMINEES SHALL BE RESOLVED IN A SUMMARY
HEARING, AND IN EVERY CASE, THE BY-LAWS OF THE
?ARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION SHALL GUIDE THE COMELEC IN
THE RESOLUTION OF THE ISSUE. THE COMELEC SHALL
ENSURE THAT PROCEEDINGS ARE EXPEDITIOUS AND THAT
A RESOLUTION SHALL BE MADE WITHIN FIVE (5) WORKING
DAYS.

SEC. 7. Section 9 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 9. Qualification of Party-List Nominees. — [No person shali
be mominated as party-list representative unless he is a natural-
bom citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, a resident of the
Philippines for a period of not less than one (1) year immediately
preceding the day of the election, able to read and write, a bona
fide member of the party or organization he/she seeks to represent
for at least ninety (90) days preceding the day of the election, and
is at least twenty-five (25) years of age on the day of the election]

A PARTY-LIST NCMINEE MUST BE:
(A)A NATURAL-BORN CITIZEN OF THE PHILIPPINES;
(B)A REGISTERED VOTER;

(C)A RESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR A PERIOD OF NOT
LESS THAN ONE (1) YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE
DAY OF 1HE ELECTION:

(D) ABLE TO READ AND WRITE;

(E)A BONA FIDE MEMBER OF THE PARTY OR
ORGANIZATION WHICH THE NOMINEE SEEKS TO
REPRESENT FOR AT LEAST NINETY (90) DAYS
PRECEDING THE DAY OF THE ELECTION;

(F) AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS OF AGE ON THE DAY
OF THE ELECTION.

[In case of a nominee of the youth sector, he] THE NOMINEE OF
THE YOUTH SECTOR must at least be twenty-five (25) but not
more than thirty FIVE [(30)] (35) years of age on the cay of the
election. A youth sectoral representative who [attains] REACHES
the age of thirty FIVE [(30)] (35) [during his term] shall be allowed
to continue in office until the expiration of [his] THE term


NO OTHER QUALIFICATION SHALL BE REQUIRED OF
NOMINEES EXCEPT IF CONGRESS PROVIDES FOR THE
SAME THROUGH THE ENACTMENT OF A SUBSEQUENT LAW.

SEC. 8. A NEW SECTION AFTER SECTION 9 IS HEREBY ADDED;

SECTION 9-A. COMPLAINT FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF
PARTY-LIST NOMINEE.—THE COMELEC MAY MOTU
PROPRIO OR UPON VLRIFIED COMPLAINT OF ANY
INTERESTED PARTY, REMCVE OR DISQUALIFY, AFTER DUE
NOTICE AND HEARING, A NOMINEE OF A PARTICULAR
PARTY ON THE GROUND THAT THE NOMINEE DOES NOT
POSSESS ANY CF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A PARTY-LIST
NOMINEE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 9 OF THIS ACT:
PROVIDED, THAT A COMPLAINT FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF
A NOMINEE MAY ONLY BE FILED AGAINST A PARTICULAR
NOMINEE WITHIN TEN (10) DAYS AFTER THE SUBMISSION
OF THE LIST OF NOMINEES TO THE COMELEC. THE
PENDENCY OF A COMPLAINT AND/OR MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION DENYING A COMPLAINT FOR
DISQUALIFICATION OF A NOMINEE, SHALL NOT BE A
GROUND FOR THE DEFERMENT AND SUSPENSION OF THE
PROCLAMATION OF THE CONCERNED PARTY.

SEC. 9. Section 10 af the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

Secion 10. Manner of Voting. — Every voter snail be entitled to two
(2) votes{:] FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. T[t}he first
is a vote for candidate jor member of the House of Representatives
in his legislative district, and the second, a vote for the NATIONAL,
REGIONAL OR SECTORAL party. organization, or coalition
WHICH THE VOTER [he] wants TO BE represented in the House
of Representatives: Provided, That a vote cast for a NATIONAL,
REGIONAL OR SECTORAL party, [sectoral] organization, or
coalition not entitled to be voted [for] shall not be counted]
Provided, finally, That the first election under the party-list system
shail be held in May 1998] AND CONSIDERED IN THE
COMPUTATION OR THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST
FOR THE PARTY-LIST.

SEC. 10. Section 11 of the same Act is hereby amended io rea as follows:

Section 11. Number of Party-List Representatives. — The party-list
representatives shall constitute twenty per centum (20%) of the
total number of members of the House of Representatives including
those under the party-list.

[For Purposes of the May 19968 elections, the first five (5) major
political parties on the basis of party representation in the House of


Representatives at the start of the Tenth Consres the Philippines
shall not be entitled to participate in the party- list system.

In determining the allocation of seats for the second vote, the 43
following procedure 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, organizations, and coalitions receiving at Isast 20
two pr “cent (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, finally, That each party, organization, or
coalition shall be entitled to not more than three (3) seats.]

NO PARTY, ORGANIZATION, OR COALITION SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO MORE THAN THREE (3) SEATS.

SEC. 11. Section 15 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 15. Change of Affiliation: Bffect — Any elected party-list 34
7epresentative who changes [his political par‘y or sectoral] PARTY-
LIST affiliation during his term of office shall forfeit his seat.
[Provided, That if ne changes his political . :rty or sectoral affiliation
within six (6) months before an election, he shall not be eligible for
nomination as party-list representative under his new party or
organization,}

RECALL OF PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE. — THE
APPROPRIATE DECISION-MAKING BODY OF THE PARTY-
LIST GROUP IS EMPOWERED TO RECALL ITS
REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS FOR LOSS OF
CONFIDENCE OR FOR VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION OF ITS
GOVERNING CHARTER: PROVIDED, THAT SUCH RECALL IS
EXPRESSED THROUGH A RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE
APPROPRIATE DECISION-MAKING BODY OF THE PARTY-
LIST GROUP, A COPY OF WHICH SHOULD BE FURNISHED TO
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH ITS
SECRETARY-GENERAL, THE COMELEC AND THE SUBJECT
PERSON OF THE RECALL RESOLUTION. IT IS THE
MINISTERIAL DUTY OF THE COMELEC AND THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES TO IMPLEMENT SUCH RECALL UNLESS
DULY RESTRAINED BY AN ORDER FRC. THE APPROPRIATE
COURT,

SEC. 12. Section 17 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:


Section 17. Rights of Party-List Representatives. —Partyclist
representatives shall be entitled to the same salaries [and],
emoluments, AND ALL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND BENEFITS
as DISTRICT [regular] members of the House of Representatives.

SEC. 13. A NEW SECTION AFTER SECTION 17 IS HEREBY ADDED:

SECTION 17-A. VOTERS EDUCATION. — THE COMELEC,
TOGETHER WITH AND IN SUPPORT OF ACCREDITED
CITIZENS’ ARMS, SHALL CARRY OLT A CONTINUING AND
SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN THROUGH NEWSPAPERS OF
GENERAL CIRCULATION, RADIO AND OTHER MEDIA FORMS,
AS WELL AS THROUGH SEMINARS, SYMPOSIA, FORUMS
AND OTHER NON-TRADITIONAL MEANS TO EDUCATE THE
PUBLIC AND FULLY INFORM THE ELECTORATE ABOUT THE
PARTY-LIST SYSTEM INCLUDING HOW TO CAST THE VOTE

THEREFOR.”
SEC. 14. Section 18 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 18 Rules and Regulations. — The COMELEC, IN

CONSULTATION WITH REGISTERED __PARTY-LIST
ORGANIZATICNS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and reguiations IN THE FORM OF
RESOLUTIONS as may be necessary ta carry out the purposes of
this Act.

SEC. 15. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.

SEC. 16. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
rules and regulations, and other issuances, or part or parts thereof, particularly of
Republic Act No. 7941, or the “Party-List System Act’ and of Republic Act No. 9006, or
the ‘Fair Elections Act,” which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 17. Effectivity. —This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

Approved,