Senator Bam Aquino filed Senate Bill No. 1559, the “Party-List Reform Act,” aiming to make the party-list system more accountable and representative of marginalized sectors.
“It is a step toward a more inclusive, accountable, and meaningful democracy and the kind of government the Filipino people deserve,” Aquino said.
The bill responds to a 2025 study by election watchdog Kontra Daya, which found that 86 of 156 accredited party-list groups were linked to political dynasties or corporations. Of the 63 groups proclaimed in May 2025, 40 were flagged in the report.
Aquino emphasized, “These findings underscore an urgent and undeniable truth: the party-list system is being exploited by the powerful at the expense of those it was designed to uplift.”
Under the proposed law, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) would hold public evidentiary hearings to verify the authenticity of party-list organizations and ensure nominees genuinely come from the sectors they claim to represent. Key deadlines would also be extended, including the registration period and the release of the certified list of eligible organizations.
The bill further mandates that party-list groups submit at least six nominees approved by their highest decision-making body. Nominees related to elected officials within the third degree or who are government contractors would be disqualified.