The National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) has endorsed the filing of House Bill 9906 and Senate Bill 2090 in the 20th Congress, describing the measures as complementary efforts to reform the Party-List System Act of 1995. In a statement, Namfrel emphasized that the bills address the same crisis from different angles and are not contradictory.
Legislative Response to a 30-Year-Old Law
Namfrel called the legislative action a serious and welcome response, urging lawmakers to act swiftly. The poll watchdog expressed hope that both chambers would move quickly to amend the three-decade-old law. “The party-list system belongs to the Filipino people. Pass a reform law that is genuine, comprehensive, and enforceable before the next election cycle,” Namfrel said.
Key Provisions of the Bills
House Bill 9906 proposes reorganizing the party-list system into three tracks: Sectoral, Advocacy, and Regional. It would disqualify dynasty-linked nominees, government contractors, incumbent officials, and former defeated candidates from nomination. Senate Bill 2090, meanwhile, reserves 50 percent of party-list seats for traditional marginalized sectors and requires nominees to genuinely belong to those sectors.
Namfrel's Recommendations for a Stronger Law
Namfrel recommended that the final measure cover relatives of all incumbent elective officials at every government level, not just those within the second degree of incumbent senators and representatives. It also argued that the disqualification of contractors should remain in effect for the duration of any government contract, concession, franchise, or public-private partnership, rather than a five-year ban. Additionally, nominee substitutions should only be allowed in cases of death or permanent incapacity, with no replacements after the filing period closes.
Call for Bicameral Conference Committee Action
Namfrel urged the Bicameral Conference Committee to reconcile the two measures into a stronger law by adopting the strictest and most effective provisions from both bills. “The Bicameral Conference Committee must adopt the highest common denominator across both bills on every disqualification, transparency, and enforcement provision,” Namfrel stated. The group concluded, “The window is open now… Namfrel urges Congress to see this work through to a conclusion worthy of the Filipino people.”
