Seven out of 10 Pinoys unaware of party-list system

MANILA, Philippines – Seven out of 10 Filipinos are still unaware of the party-list system, also known as sectoral representation, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted in January.

The survey, conducted from Jan. 22 to 26, found that 69 percent of Filipinos have not heard or read about the party-list system. Only 31 percent of the public knows about the representation system.

The survey asked 1,800 adults aged 18 and above the question: Have you heard or read anything about the party-list system?

Pulse Asia said it is only in the National Capital Region where the majority – 51 percent – is aware of the system. Awareness is lowest in Region 11 or Davao Region and North Luzon at 24 percent.

The latest survey showed the lowest level of public awareness of the party-list system since Pulse Asia conducted a survey on party-lists in March 2004, when 44 percent of the public claimed to know about the system.

The present awareness level is only half of the 59 percent awareness level registered when the survey was last conducted in the first half of April 2007, a month before the midterm elections.

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points and a confidence level of 95 percent.

The party-list system, introduced in 1998, was meant to give groups considered marginalized proper representation in the House of Representatives to give them the opportunity to propose and support bills that will benefit the sectors they represent.

Meanwhile, Pulse Asia also found out that nine out of the 150 party-list groups accredited by the Commission on Elections have a chance of securing at least two seats in the House of Representatives if elections were held at the time of the survey.

Militant party-list group Bayan Muna, with an approval rating of 8.03 percent, topped the list of groups likely to win three seats in the House. 1-Aangat Pilipino followed with 6.34 percent; Anakpawis, 5.88 percent; Gabriela, 5.55 percent; and Akbayan Citizens Action Party, 5.07 percent.

Groups likely to win two seats in Congress are Ahon Pinoy with an approval rating of 3.32 percent; Aangat Tayo, 3.22 percent; Anak Mindanao, 2.80 percent; and Abono, 2.59 percent.

The Party-List System Act stipulates that groups getting more than two percent of the total number of votes cast are entitled to additional seats in proportion to the number of votes received.

A group can have a maximum of three seats. Party-list representatives constitute 20 percent of the total number of members of the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, 34 party-list groups are expected to win a seat each, according to the survey.

These are: ACT Teachers, Akap Bata, Citizen Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC), Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao Para Sa Lupa, Pabahay, Hanapbuhay at Kaunlaran (AKO), Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (Buhay), Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamers, Inc. (Abroad), 1-Ako Babaeng Astig Aasenso (1-ABAA), Abante Ilonggo (Aba Ilonggo), An Waray and Advocacy for Teacher Empowerment through Action Cooperation and Harmony towards Education Reform (A Teacher).

Also, Abante Mindanao, Inc. (Abamin), Akbay Pinoy OFW-National, Inc. (APOI), Abakada Guro (Abakada), Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines (Agap), Partido Manggagawa (PM), Alagad Party-List (Alagad), A Blessed Federation of Farmers and Fishermen International, Inc. (A Blessed), 1-Guardians Nationalist of the Philippines, Inc. (1 Ganap/Guardians), 1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang Sangkatauhan (1st Kabagis), 1-AANI and Butil Farmers Party (Butil).

Likewise expected to get a seat each in Congress are: You Against Corruption and Poverty (Yacap), Alagaan Natin ang Ating Kalusugan (Anakalusugan), Bayani, Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation, Inc. (Alay Buhay), and Aksyon Magsasaka Partido Tinig ng Masa (AKMA-PTM), Agri-Agra Reporma Para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (Agri), Advocates for Special Children and the Handicapped Movement (Asahan Mo).

Also making it to the top 43 party-list groups list were Batang Iwas sa Droga Foundation, Inc. (Bida), Kabataan Partylist (Kabataan), Agila ng Katutubong Pilipino (Agila), Alyansa ng mga Grupong Haligi ng Agham at Teknolohiya para sa Mamamayan, Inc. (Agham), Alyansa ng OFW Party (Alyansa), and Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Right Alliance, Inc. (A-IPRA). – Helen Flores (The Philippine Star) with Delon Porcalla