THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
“04 &),! 30 p 2 :ut”, 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
S E N A T E  
1 
1 
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator LUISA uLOI” P. 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 of€ice 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 are 
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 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. 
LUISA “LOI” k. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
Senator 
2 


*e, z 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
ki4 
LIUid 30 p2 :B)o 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
\ 
S E N A T E  
S. B. No. 
Introduced by Senator LUISA ‘6LOIn P. EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
AMENDING 
REPUBLIC! 
ACT 
SEVENTY 
NINE 
FORTY 
ONE, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PARTY LIST SYSTEM ACT 
I 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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 
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WOMEN’S CAUSES: 
PROWDELI, 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: 
PROVDED, 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 narnes 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 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.” 
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SEC. 2. Section 11 of the same law is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“See. 1 1. 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. 
The parties, organization and coalitions receiving at 
least two percent (2?40) of the total votes cast €or the 
party list system shall be entitled to one seat each: 
Provided, That those garnering more than two percent 
(b) 
(2%) of the votes shall be entitled to additional seats in 
proportion to their total number of votes: [Provided, 
firther, That half of those appointed under the party 
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list must be women:] Provided, _l”inaZly, That each party, 
organization, or coalition shall be entitled to not more 
than three (3) seats.” 
SEC. 3. 
RepeaZing 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. 
SeparabiZZty 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 newspapers of general 
circulation. 
Approved, 
GVL/tere ’/gulpolitical party 
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