The partylist racket

By Ermin Garcia Jr.

At the rate things are going in government and politics, plus the recent ruling of the Supreme Court re entitlement of partylists in the House of Representatives, governance in our benighted land has definitely gone haywire.

Ever since the Abalos Comelec took over, easy accreditation of partylist groups was never this easy. It was reportedly guaranteed for P2 million, never mind what the group pretended to represent nor what the extent of its operation or network was. It was another classic Pinoy’s notorious wholesale transactional politics deemed legal by the Arroyo administration unless proven otherwise. For the groups that were in for the money, P2 million was a cheap investment for a potentially lucrative share of the annual pork barrel for congressmen.

Yet, a close review of the partylist groups will reveal that 98% of these newly accredited groups did not even exist for a month prior to their accreditation, neither did they have a network of chapters in the country’s regions. Only one or two were heard to have submitted position papers or manifestos in support of advocacies during congress deliberations, the others did not even understand what the issues were and, therefore, didn’t care.

Worse, take a closer look at the new partylists’ representatives in the House. While a partylist is supposed to represent a marginalized sector, those who will lay claim to the seats are either members of traditional political clans or big business or are simply notorious. They will be sworn in as members of Congress, entitled to millions of annual pork barrel, accountable only to their invisible constituents.

In my book, they are no different from the blokes na pinabili mo lang ng suka, pagbalik, journalists na! But with one big difference the smart partylist organizers know where to pick up the megabucks while the medya-medya boys and girls only know where to pick up a measly tong but not for long perhaps. They, too, might just form their own partylist – Medya (for the protection of journalists of another kind).

* * * * *

The motivation behind the entry of partylist groups to mainstream politics and governance was good. It was meant to further democratize the political process citing precedence in Russia, Israel, South Africa, etc. Aren’t we such a democracy-crazed people? It was argued then that interests and concerns of marginalized and “under-represented” members of the society, i.e., women, handicapped, retirees, etc. were hardly protected and promoted in government, particularly in legislation. To this end, party-list groups with track records in promoting advocacies for the marginalized sectors are given the opportunity to plead their cases proactively.

The first partylist election in 1998 was largely ignored. Many thought it was a joke to sit in Congress like salingpusa, hence, only the militant groups, i.e., Bayan Muna, Abanse Pinay, Gabriela registered to be voted upon. Little did the wily politicians and businessmen realize then that duly elected partylist groups are entitled to the same amount of pork barrel, administrative and operations budget like other district representatives who had to spend millions to win. Consequently, only 13 seats were filled and 38 remained vacant.

Well, as we all know in this country, it usually doesn’t take long for a lucrative racket like the pork barrel to take root. In the 2001 elections, the country saw a surge in the registration of party-list groups, finally enlightened about the law (or more learned and wiser about how to be a politico-millionaire without really trying).

Why not, indeed? A non-entity today can very well start his/her own political clan by submitting a partylist whose mandate can be ascertained simply by mathematical formula. For the trapos, it has become another convenient ploy to expand their political kingdom while accommodating ambitious family members who would like to make their fortune in politics.

To make a long story short, the transactional accreditation of partylist groups was made possible by dangling the undeserved benefits of the pork barrel to would-be partylist groups.

* * * * *

But all is not lost.

There was a precedence laid by the Supreme Court in disqualifying partylists. Groups like the Lakas and NPC, Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. controlled by Lucio Tan, actor Richard Gomez’ DILG/PNP-related and government-funded Mamamayang Ayaw sa Droga, and the True Marcos Loyalist Association were disqualified in 2001.

Hopefully, we will still live to see the day when more fake partylist groups will be exposed and strangled to death by a courageous Supreme Court.

* * * * *

Then there is also the Cha-Cha. Yes, I support the Cha-Cha to be held immediately after the 2010 elections.

The first amendment in my list that ought to be done is to declare pork barrel for legislators as unconstitutional. This amendment alone will lead us back to the era when only educated representatives in Congress steeped in law and in legislation aspire to be legislators. Without the pork barrel, trapos and celebrity clowns will find no need to kill for a seat in the House, only brilliant lawyers with a deep sense of patriotism and willing to die poor, will dare enter the halls of Congress. Even many of the partylist groups will soon find legislation a boring endeavor, not worthy of their time and attention.

The pork barrel today is actually a redundant practice given the present policy of allocating Internal Revenue Allotment to local governments but the majority in both chambers of Congress would not think of killing the goose that lays tons of golden eggs for them.

The pork barrel has served its purpose. It’s time we burn it at the stake.

* * * * *

We are truly saddened by the sudden demise of our columnist Sosing Pablico, a true friend from La Union. His stint with the PUNCH undoubtedly helped make the paper truly relevant to the economic development of the province, His network and sources were as impeccable as his own credentials in the agri-journalism sector. It will take time for us to replace his column with an equally authoritative sense about the subjects he enjoyed writing about.

I invite readers to pray for the eternal repose of the soul of this great yet humble gentleman with the mighty pen.

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments