By Chito Chavez

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has expressed support in revisiting the party-list provision of the 1987 Constitution, asserting that it does not fully served its purpose.

DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said revisiting the party-list system should be taken into consideration due to certain interests that do not reflect the true sentiments of marginalized groups.

Critics have deplored the party-list system, saying political and influential groups have circumvented the law to gain entry into the House of Representatives.

In other countries, Malaya noted “proportional representation system” was being practiced.

In this system, Malaya said voting is for the mainstream political parties and from within marginalized and underrepresented sectors.

Under Republic Act (RA) 7941 or the Party-list System Act, the party-list system was created to “promote proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives, ”

Also stated in Section 2 of the law is development and guarantee of “a full, free and open party system in order to attain the broadcast possible representation of party, sectoral or group interests”.

While in the 1987 Constitution, it noted that Congress should have representation for the marginalized and under-represented sectors except religious groups.