Quezon: Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Friday expressed support for reforms to the country’s party-list system, underscoring the need to strengthen its original mandate of providing a voice to marginalized sectors, particularly Filipino workers, in the House of Representatives. Speaking at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) in Cubao, Quezon City, Dy said empowering workers requires ensuring that democratic mechanisms meant to represent them function as intended.
According to Philippines News Agency, Dy emphasized that reforms to the party-list system form part of a broader effort to strengthen Philippine democracy, following clear policy directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated during the recent meeting of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). Dy noted that during the latest LEDAC meeting, President Marcos directed the acceleration of passing reforms aimed at fortifying the nation’s democracy.
He highlighted that party-list reform is being advanced alongside other priority measures identified by the President, including the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, the Independent People’s Commission Act, and the CADENA Act, which aim to enhance transparency and accountability in public finance. Dy pointed out that experts increasingly indicate that the party-list system has strayed from its constitutional purpose and no longer adequately represents truly marginalized sectors.
The objective of the reform, as Dy stated, is to restore a party-list system that remains faithful to the spirit of the law and is anchored on authentic sectoral representation. He expressed the need for a system that provides genuine and sector-based representation, emphasizing that the voice of workers must come from real workers, not from powerful interests, political clans, or wealthy groups seeking undue influence.
Dy recognized TUCP’s historic role as a foundational pillar of the party-list system, describing the labor group as a living reminder of the mechanism’s existence and the necessity for reform. TUCP, as the country’s largest confederation of labor federations, has representation in Congress through the party-list system, with Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito Mendoza serving as its representative.
As the House prepares for deliberations on party-list reform, Dy encouraged TUCP and other labor groups to actively engage in the process, stressing that their voice, experience, and credibility are vital to shaping a system that truly serves Filipino workers.
