Only few are marginalized (Second of three parts)

If you think party-list representatives are as poor as their marginalized constituents, better think again. Many party-list representatives are in fact even richer than some district congressmen.

Of the 21 out of the 55 party-list representatives who submitted their Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Networth for 2008, 18 are millionaires.

Topping the list are Rep. Ma. Carissa Coscolluela of Buhay party-list with a net worth of P124.2 million as of December 31, 2008; Rep. Nicanor Briones of Agap, P43.6 million; and Rep. Carol Jayne Lopez of Yacap, P39.8 million.

At the bottom of the list are Rep. Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis, P55,501.72, and Representatives Teodoro Casino and Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna with P118,900 and P895,145.51, respectively.

Majority of the party-list representatives have spouses or relatives engaged in businesses or in politics. Others are successful professionals.

The presence of wealthy and well-connected individuals sitting as party-list representatives in Congress is proof that the party-list system has not only become a backdoor to the House of Representatives. It has also become a way of accommodating political allies and relatives, and avoiding district-level disputes, said lawyer Ibarra Gutierrez of Akbayan.

“It has become a way of avoiding political clashes at the local level,” Gutierrez said, adding that some local candidates have entered into political arrangements where, rather than fight it out, a rival resorts to the party-list route and is promised political support.

Case of President Arroyo and son

Gutierrez cites the case of the second district of Pampanga where Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo ceded his congressional bid to his mother, President Gloria Arroyo. Rather than run against her, Mikey became the No. 1 nominee of Ang Galing Pinoy, the party-list group of security guards and tricycle drivers.

Another example among the Arroyos is Rep. Ma Lourdes Arroyo of Ang Kasangga, sister of Jose Miguel Arroyo, the President’s husband. Lourdes Arroyo’s entry into Congress came not as a district representative but as a party-list nominee supposedly representing vendors. Lourdes Arroyo is a businesswoman who obtained her business administration degree at the Notre Dame de Namur in California, USA.

The main job exposure of Rep. Narciso Santiago 2nd of ARC was being as member of the Legislative Staff of his senator-mom, Miriam Defensor Santiago, a staunch defender of President Arroyo.

Until now, criticisms about retired Army Gen. Jovito Palparan’s entry to Congress as Ang Bantay party-list group representative refuse to die down. Palparan represents the village watchers or barangay tanod and security guards.

First-termer Raymond Democrito Mendoza of TUCP is the son of TUCP founder Democrito Mendoza, one of the known allies of President Arroyo. Raymond is the husband of incumbent Rep. Emmylou Talino Mendoza of North Cotabato.

Rep. Francisco Emmanuel Ortega of Abono is the nephew of Rep. Victor Ortega of La Union, another ally of the administration.

The wife of Rep. Haron Omar of Yacap, Hashima, is a municipal councilor in Lanao del Norte.

Rep. Catalina Leonen-Pizarro of ABS is the wife of Court of Appeals Associate Justice Normandie Pizarro.

Rep. Daryl Grace Abayon of AT party-list is the wife of former congressman Harlin Abayon.

Coscolluela of Buhay party-list is the daughter of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Director Ricardo Coscolluela who was accused last by Architect Felino Palafox of taking grease money from a questionable project at Subic Bay. Coscolluela is the former chief of staff of Sen. Richard “Dick” Gordon.

Rep. Rodante Marcoleta of Alagad who represents the urban poor is a lawyer by profession. He said most of his clients before were indigents and he served them “pro bono.”

Veteran journalists who used to cover Malacañang, the Senate and the House of Representatives describe Rep. Noel of An Waray as the former “point man” of Jimmy Policarpio, the Presidential Legislative Liaison Officer during the Estrada administration.

Rep. Akmad Tomawis’s ALIF, on the other hand, was among those favored party-list groups mentioned by then Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano in the “Hello, Garci” scandal.

Genuine party-list groups

Only a handful of party-list representatives can be regarded as part of the sector that they embody.

Mariano of Anakpawis was a prominent peasant leader since the 1980s before he ran for Congress.

Ocampo and Casiòo of Bayan Muna and Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela are known leaders of their groups.

Luzviminda Ilagan has been a long-time leader of Gabriela in Davao.

Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan has been part of the nongovernment organization (NGO) sector after leaving her media career.

Another group nominee, Rep. Walden Bello, has been an advocate for social reforms while teaching at the University of the Philippines. –SHERRIE ANN TORRES Vera Files

(To be concluded)

The author is a television reporter who submitted a longer version of this article as her master’s project at the Ateneo de Manila University’s Asian Center for Journalism. Her adviser was VERA Files trustee Luz Rimban. VERA Files is put out by veteran journalists taking a deeper look at current issues.