Three OBVIOUS Reasons Why Party List Should be Abolished (Part 3)

Read Part 1 Here

Read Part 2 Here

Final Reason: THEY DON’T WORK

I’m sure marginalized sector from various industries have been represented in the senate. But have I seen their work? NO. Maybe I have seen BAYAN and GABRIELA do their chants on the street but other than that I have not seen one bit of help. The party list group should help a group of people that can’t be easily represented in the senate.

Why I argue they don’t work? Simple: because I’m a regular Filipino. I have encountered fishermen, sugarcane planters, CARTAPS (Carga Tapas or Sacada), really poor individuals, teachers (my parents), urban poor (my in-laws), carpenters, street vendors and I have seen no help that came from party list groups. They don’t do anything except to listen and create speech in the congress. If they do help, they will only help people from their region or their town or to the people they know. It’s NEVER nationwide.

This are the reasons why I want it abolished. No new laws to control party list or no new regulations how the party list will help. I just want this abolished. If you’re part of the party list group, feel free to leave a comment. You may have plans to help the country but when you get up there, you forget about us regular folks. Go on and gobble up to your pork barrel. We’ll just stay here, pay our taxes and hope to God something would happen in the congress that will say get those pseudo-congressmen/women out here! YOU GUYS HAVE NO BALLS!

Three OBVIOUS Reasons Why Party List Should be Abolished (Part 2)

Click HERE for Part 1

The second reason why I don’t like the current party list system is the sheer lack of knowledge of us regular folks. I think the only people who know about the party list procedures are those who are running or involved in a party list. Here’s the common knowledge about the party list – during elections a bunch of groups representing certain people are running for congress. With enough votes they will win. That’s what we know.

So what’s lacking from our basic knowledge?

• We are not sure who represents whom.
• We’re not sure what “enough votes” mean.
• We’re not sure how they will win and what they do in congress.

You can say that there are a lot of people involved in the party list system. But the fact still remains: 7-10 Filipinos are not aware of the party list system. Every party list is polluting the street asking the people for their vote. HOW CAN WE VOTE IF WE DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT YOU? Instead of spending money on streamers, spend it on educating the people what is a party list and who are you.

We can blame the COMELEC. Or you can point your finger on the PPCRV (I won’t) but since you’re there willing to spend money to win, at least have it in your conscience to tell us what a party list is.

Three OBVIOUS Reasons Why Party List Should be Abolished (Part 1)

When the party list system was introduced back in 1998, it was a revolutionary idea that I believed it would help people. I was in high school then and many people explained to me that it’s a chance for the marginalized people to have a voice.

But after 12 years…none. So consider this as my official statement AGAINST the party list system. I did some research and I even have more to complain! Here is my first of the three part problem with the party list system:

First Reason: The Party List is Veiled in Secrecy

By law, party list groups are not required to reveal the names of their candidates. This statement alone makes me angry and highly doubtful about the party list system.

Why is this you ask? Any aspiring party that wants to be accredited are not required naming their candidates. Only AFTER accreditation they will be compelled to name names. Do you know what this means? This simply means anyone can “shop” for an accredited party list.

COMELEC actually tries to avoid this problem by only allowing candidates that came from the same category. For example, if you’re representing the fishermen – you have to be a fisherman. But here’s the kicker:

Sec. 9, RA 7941 the nominee is not necessary someone poor or the traditional idea of a fisherman. The nominee is not necessarily someone who “wallow in poverty, destitution and infirmity as there is no financial status required in the law. It is enough that the nominee of the sectoral party/organization/coalition belongs to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, that is, if the nominee represents the fisherfolk, he or she must be a fisherfolk, or if the nominee represents the senior citizens, he or she must be a senior citizen.” This simply means any billionaire could be part of a party list as long as a he has a small business within the same industry.

“Shopping” for a party list is actually possible no one really knows the nominees.

Stay tuned for the second part.

8 Reasons Why the Masa Should Never Influence Your Vote

The "Masa” is an increasingly overused word by the candidates. No one can blame them after all, Erap Estrada used this word to propel him to one of the margin of wins in election history. If you can harness the masa, you have a big chance of winning.

But the term masa have been muddled that you really can’t defined the word. Yes it means the poor but which poor people? Is it the Class E or Class D? Is it both? Is it the middle class? Some would say they are the regular folks - but no one can really tell who are the regular folks anymore in this country.

Because no one can understand who the masa really is, believing what the masa says should never be followed. If you want more reasons, here they are:

1. It's Everywhere - I think everyone is part of the masa. Whether you’re rich, poor, underwater, overboard, downtrodden, thick or thin.

2. Every Candidate is a Masa - they want everyone to think they are for the masa. But each candidate have a different opinion for the masa.

3. Candidates are Ruining the Word - cliche. I think Erap should patent that word so that no one can use it.

4. It's Slowly Shifting - yes! The word masa used to mean middle to those in class E but the masa now means anywhere were people are gathering.

5. It's Vicious - I can say something mean about the masa in public but I’m too chicken about it why? Remember EDSA 2 and EDSA 3? ‘nuff said.

6. It's a Fan Thing - if you take a look at it closely, many are following the candidate because of the platform, it’s because of the fan thing.

7. Money could be involved - yes! Some candidates pay people to show up.

8. You Should think independently - why should you believe them? Do your research! The fact that you are reading this is already a proof that you’re looking for answers in choosing the best candidate.

5 Arguments Against 10-Year Limit on Marriage (Without Using Religion)

Party List "Isa-Ako Babaeng Astig Aasenso" (1-ABAA) is trying to get the recognition and support of the people by proposing something radical. They plan to push for an expiry on marriage. After 10 years, a man or a woman can just say to their partner "I'm through so I'm walking out". He or she can remarry with no questions asked. It's a very simple proposal that's supposed to save marital problems…after 10 years.

I have to disagree to their arguments and here are my reasons without being preachy

1. Paperwork = Red tape - after 10 years, the couple would have to renew their marriage. They will still have their marriage license (supposedly) so they can easily get married. But this just means you have to visit various government agencies. You have to pay them some fees and you have to spend time and more money dealing with the red tape.

2. What about the kids? - Here’s a question for you "1-ABAAers": what if the family has two kids and decides to separate. Before you answer the question, let me quote a news clip from ABS-CBN:

"There are existing provisions in the law that deals with children of separated parents. Tajon said they will not meddle with that aspect of the law."

Leaving the kids alone to the existing law means you will just leave them to their moms which would lead to single parenthood. Kids will be neglected no matter what.

3. Why the Magic 10? I don't understand why a person has to wait for a decade just to ditch his cheating wife. This is also the same for the women. If my husband beats me up everyday after 1 year of marriage, why should I wait for 9 years more? Maybe you should propose daily renewal so that you can check their marriage status.

4. Can they rewrite the Family Code? The family code is just one part of the constitution but it will radically change with this proposal. You have to think a lot of things about alimony, child support, the process of annulment, ownership of property etc.

5. Why now? You should have pushed for this years ago. Coming out during the elections simply means you are just doing this to get the attention of media and everyone else so that you can have free publicity.

Please…Really think about your proposals…There are good stunts and bad stunts to gain public attention. So far you have done the latter.