The three articles by former chief justice Artemio V. Panganiban on the party-list system, particularly his Nov. 18, 2018, column (“Lessons from the party-list fiasco”), amply highlighted how the good intention of the law was bastardized by politicians who want to remain in Congress.
There is no need for party-list representatives in our small country. The problems of marginalized citizens can be easily relayed to their respective congressmen and to the Office of the President through barangay chairs and the media.
Maintaining party-list congressmen and their offices amounts to several millions of pesos every year.
If multiplied by the number of party-list representatives in Congress, this amounts to several billions that otherwise could be diverted to serve the basic needs of the poorest of the poor.
It is wise and sensible to abolish party-list representation, but it is almost impossible to do this through Congress.
Abolishing the party-list system by amending the Constitution could be the best option.
ERNESTO Z. MEDINA,
asiadetectives@yahoo.com