Bishop Hits Party List System

MANILA, August 19, 2009-Archbishop Oscar Cruz said the party list system is already losing its relevance with the entry of "dubious" organizations seeking for congressional seats.

The prelate said he saddened by the existence of "questionable" party list groups wherein some of them have already been accredited by the poll body.

"The party list system has become rather vague... It is not helping the government because it does not necessarily mean that any Tom, Dick and Harry will know much about legislation," he said.

To name some, he cited the group of cock fighters looking to have a chance in the 2010 polls as well as the victory of the group of micro-entrepreneurs back in the 2007 elections.

"Alam mo kasi yung party list e sectoral representation tapos all of a sudden this was translated into so-called party list na its interpretation is anybody, everybody is welcome to interpret," he said.

Cruz is referring to the application of the Alyansang Sabungero in the list of organizations looking to be proclaimed as a party list group by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

On the other hand, the group of micro-entrepreneurs he was referring to is the Kasangga party list, represented by presidential sister-in-law, Rep. Lourdes Arroyo.

Cruz urged the lawmakers to improve the party list system in order to live up to its purpose of really providing representation for the marginalized sector.

The law provides that 20 percent of the composition of the Lower House should be occupied by party list groups.

The church leader's misgiving towards the party list system came a day after an admission by Comelec Chairman Jose Melo himself that the system is already being abused.

On Monday, less than 300 groups, alliance and organizations applied for party list accreditation in time for the 2010 polls. (CBCPNews)