THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS HAS virtually declared the party-list system a “free market” to include the ruling elite. Given Comelec Chair Jose Melo’s very “mata-pobre” (condescending) opinion that marginalized groups do not have educated leaders who are capable of leading their organizations, the party-list system has ceased to be a legal and humane intervention for the truly marginalized sectors of our society.
To minimize this obvious circumvention of the party-list system, we offer the following guidelines which may help voters distinguish the fakes from the genuine party-list groups:
1. If a party-list group has financial resources for TV, radio and print infomercials, beware! Funds donated to marginalized groups are reserved for specific projects—not for publicity.
2. Nominees of marginalized groups are usually selected by their own constituencies. They are supposed to be well-known leaders of their sector and therefore have no need for an expensive nationwide campaign.
3. Be wary of “instant” party-list groups invented from the alphabet. Chances are they are being used as doormats by ambitious individuals who want to gain entry into Congress and get their hands on the pork barrel.
4. Start doubting if the nominees of a party-list group are generous in spending organization money for their political campaign. As conduits of funding agencies, party lists are supposed to spend donations and grants received by them for livelihood projects, capacity-building and poverty-alleviation programs.
5. If a party-list group is closely identified with a particular political party or politician, it has dubious integrity and loyalty. Investigate their relationship before deciding whether to vote for it or not.
6. Industry groups or business associations do not fall within the purview of the party-list concept. They have the means to advance their interests by lobbying and articulating their views in mainstream media.
—EVA M. INCIONG,
retired chair, Rizpec Foundation for Sustainable Development, Quezon City
20 February –
WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
“Every day, give everyone their due.
Every day should be Social Justice Day!
The only way”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
February Observances
1-7 Feb: World Interfaith Harmony Week
01 Feb: World Wetlands Day
02 Feb: International Day of Human Fraternity
04 Feb: International Day of Zero Tolerance
for Female Genital Mutilation
11 Feb: International Day of Women and Girls
in Science
20 Feb: World Day of Social Justice
Monthly Observances:
National Health Insurance Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: National Awareness Week
for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
and Exploitation
Week 3: Public Administration Week
Daily Observances:
Feb 1 Constitution Day
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