De Lima: Party-list system should not be used by political clans to expand power

BACOLOD CITY — Former Senator Leila de Lima, who is on her first bid for a party-list seat this 2025 polls as first nominee of ML (Mamamayang Liberal) party-list, said here that the party-list system should not be used by political clans to expand their power.

De Lima made the call when she pitched the Senate reelection bids of former Senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, who were also endorsed by three other party-list groups during the Kiko-Bam tandem campaign stop here — Akbayan party-list, Bunyog party-list and Magdalo party-list.

De Lima said that while justice punishes those who commit crimes and abuse power and ensuring fairness such as opportunities for a better life and living wages for workers, farmers and fisherfolk so they can earn enough to support their families, these will all be for naught if there are no reforms in place, including reforming the party-list system.

“Isa po sa pangunahing adbokasiya ng ML party-list ay para baguhin at linisin ang sistemang ito. Kailangan, kasi ang party-list ay dapat kumatawan sa mga tunay na nangangailangan, sa mga nasa laylayan, hindi pandagdag-pwesto sa mga dati nang makapangyarihan. Social justice means that those who have less in life must have more in law. ‘Yan po ang pinaniniwalaan ko noon, at ‘yan din po ang ipinaglalaban ko ngayon,” De Lima, a former Justice Secretary, said.

(The primary advocacy of  ML party-list is to reform the system. The party-list system should represent the voices of those in need, marginalized, and not as a vehicle for those already in power to expand their political dynasty. I have always believed in that and that is what I am fighting for now.)

“Justice alone is not enough. We need real reforms because we all know what happens when a broken system remains unchanged. As of now, the party-list system, which was originally meant to give the marginalized sectors a voice in congress, is dominated by political dynasties and big businesses' interests,” De Lima added.

De Lima, however, said that the fight for reforms cannot only be pulled of if there is enough support from the electorate.

“Bacolod! Let me tell you that the fight for justice and reform is in our hands. And that fight begins with making sure that we have true voices representing us in congress. This is not just my fight. This is our fight,” De Lima said.

“The fight for good governance does not end with just one vote. We must elect leaders who will fight for us, who will serve with integrity and competence. That's why I'm also pleading, asking for your support, for our senatorial candidates, leaders who share our values and our vision, Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, who have consistently fought for the farmers, the workers, the youth, the students, and the ordinary Filipino,” she added.

The De Lima-led ML party-list, which represents workers, farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, urban poor, women, youth, professionals, and members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) community, was accredited by the Commission on Elections as a party-list in July 2024.

"By seeking to represent these varied sectors, the Petitioner (Mamamayang Liberal) underscores the interconnected nature of their advocacies, addressing labor rights, agricultural support, cultural preservation, urban social services, gender equality, youth empowerment, professional expertise, and LGBT rights. The petitioner was able to explain why it seeks to represent multiple sectors, emphasizing that while each sector is bound by its distinct attributes, they are united by their common goal of social justice," the Comelec said.

Back in February, election watchdog Kontra Daya reported that 55.13% or 86 of 156 party-list groups seeking seats in the House of Representatives do not represent the poor or the underrepresented. 

Of this number, 45 have links to political clans, while 25 have ties to big businesses. In addition, 18 have police or military connections, while seven have corruption cases. There were also 11 party-list groups which have dubious advocacies, according to Kontra Daya. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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