The Philippine party-list system was supposed to give a voice to the marginalized. But more than two decades after its implementation, one can’t help but ask: is it really serving its purpose—or is it just another way to waste taxpayers’ money?
Let’s break it down from a finance angle.
Billions in Budget Allocations
Every year, Congress sets aside billions in salaries, allowances, and operating expenses. Party-list representatives enjoy the same benefits as district congressmen—despite not representing a clear, geographic constituency.
- Monthly salary: around ₱150,000
- Allowances & perks: travel, staff, office, and other operational budgets
- Pork barrel replacements: even without PDAF, there are still “soft projects” and budget insertions they can influence
Multiply this by dozens of party-list representatives, and that’s easily billions of pesos burned every year.
Who Do They Really Represent?
On paper, the party-list law was meant for farmers, fisherfolk, workers, and other marginalized groups. In reality, many winners are:
- Businessmen hiding behind sector-based names
- Political dynasties expanding their influence
- Well-funded groups who can afford massive campaigns
- Defeated politicians who couldn’t win in the Senate or in a district race but still want a seat in Congress
Take Zaldy Co, for example. He represents the Ako Bicol party-list, which supposedly champions the poor and marginalized sectors in Bicol. Yet, Co has been accused of being heavily involved in questionable flood control projects worth billions in the national budget.
Instead of fighting for the truly marginalized, his name has been linked to projects that critics claim are classic pork barrel-style allocations, benefiting politicians more than ordinary citizens.
Does that sound like a genuine representation of the marginalized—or just another politician maximizing taxpayer-funded projects?
A Backdoor for Dynasties and Failed Politicians
The party-list system has also become a convenient backdoor for traditional politicians. Dynasties use it to place more relatives in Congress, while some individuals who lose in regular elections simply shift to party-list groups to secure a seat.
Instead of strengthening democracy, this has cheapened representation, allowing political families and recycled candidates to enjoy salaries, perks, and project allocations—all funded by taxpayers.
Financial Duplication
The Philippines already spends billions maintaining the House of Representatives. Having an additional bloc of party-lists means taxpayers are paying twice for the same legislative function.
Do we really need 60+ more politicians enjoying the same perks, when most of their bills could be filed by existing district representatives?
The Opportunity Cost
Here’s the real kicker: every peso wasted on redundant party-list expenses could have gone to:
- Building classrooms for overcrowded public schools
- Funding hospitals and health centers
- Subsidizing farmers hit by rising costs
- Reducing the national debt
Instead, we’re paying for redundant political machinery—and in cases like Zaldy Co’s, we’re even funding projects riddled with corruption allegations.
The Harsh Reality
The party-list system may have been a noble idea, but in practice, it’s turned into another money pit. For taxpayers, it means less money for real services, more money for politicians.
If the government is serious about fiscal responsibility, then maybe it’s time to ask: do we still need the party-list system—or is it just another drain on public funds?
Blogger’s Corner
Personally, I see the party-list system as one of the most expensive failed experiments in Philippine democracy. Instead of amplifying marginalized voices, it’s mostly used by the rich and powerful to grab more seats.
And guess what? We, the taxpayers, are forced to pay for it.
At a time when the country is drowning in debt and ordinary Filipinos are struggling with rising prices, this system looks less like representation—and more like legalized political freeloading.
Zaldy Co’s ties to flood control project controversies are just one glaring example of how the party-list system has strayed far from its original purpose. Add to that the fact that dynasties and failed politicians are using it as a backdoor into Congress, and you can clearly see why taxpayers are losing faith.
If the marginalized truly deserve a voice, then let’s give it to them directly—not through politicians gaming a broken system.