The document summarizes key aspects of the party-list system for electing representatives to the House of Representatives in the Philippines. It describes how the system aims to provide representation for marginalized groups. Registered national, regional, or sectoral parties and organizations can participate by fielding nominees who must meet certain qualifications. The number of seats allocated is 20% of the total House seats. Voters cast two votes, one for a district representative and one for a party-list. Seats are allocated based on the percentage of the nationwide vote each party receives. Party-list representatives have the same rights and terms as district representatives.

1. ARTICLE 6. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
The Party-List System
It is a mechanism of proportional representation
in the election of representatives to the House of
Representatives
from
marginalized
or
underrepresented national, regional and sectoral
parties, or organizations or coalitions thereof
registered with the Commission on Elections
(Comelec).

2. The Party-List System
• It is part of the electoral process that
enables small political parties and
marginalized and underrepresented
sectors
to
obtain
possible
representation in the House of
Representatives, which traditionally
is dominated by parties with big
political machinery.

3. Who may participate?
Instead of individual candidates, only registered
organized groups may participate and these
are:
1. Sectoral Party – an organized group of citizens
whose principal advocacy pertains to the special
interests and concerns of the following sectors:
Labor
Women
Overseas workers
Fisherfolk Urban Poor
Urban Poor
Peasant
Professionals
Elderly
Youth
Handicapped
Veterans
Indigenous Cultural communities

4. Who may participate?
2. Political Party – an organized group of qualified
voters pursuing the same ideology, political ideas
and principles for the general conduct of the
government;
it may be:
[1] A national party when its constituency is spread
over the geographical territory of at least a majority of
the regions; and
[2] A regional party when its constituency is spread
over the geographical territory of at least a majority of
the cities and provinces comprising a region.

5. Who may participate?
3. Sectoral Organization – a
group of qualified voters bound
together by similar physical
attributes or characteristics, or
by employment, interests or
concerns.

6. Who may participate?
4. Coalition – an aggrupation of
duly
registered
national,
regional, sectoral parties or
organizations for political and/or
election purposes.

7. Qualifications of a nominee
What are the qualifications of a party-list nominee?
[a] A natural-born citizen of the Philippines;
[b] A registered voter;
[c] A resident of the Philippines for a period of not less than
one (1) year immediately preceding the election day;
[d] Able to read and write;
[e] A bona fide member of the party he seeks to represent
for at least ninety (90) days preceding election day; and
[f] At least twenty-five (25) years of age on election day.

8. Nominee of Youth Sector
In case of the youth sector, he must
be at least twenty-five (25) but not
more than thirty (30) years of age on
the day of the election. Any youth
sectoral representative who reaches
the age of thirty (30) during his term
shall be allowed to continue in office
until the expiration of his term.

9. Seats allocated
How many seats are available under the
party-list system?
Twenty percent (20%) of the total membership
in the House of Representatives is reserved for
party-list representatives, or a ratio of one (1)
party list representative for every four (4)
legislative district representatives. In 2007
election the number of seats allocated for the
party-list is 55. This number is expected to
increase this 2010 election due to the increase
in the number of legislative districts.

10. 2 votes for Representatives
In voting for representatives, how will a voter
cast his vote?
Every voter shall be entitled to two (2) votes
for the House of Representatives, as follows:
[a] First, a vote for a district representative;
and
[b] Second, a vote for the party he wants
represented in the House of Representatives.

11. Counting of Party-list votes
How shall the votes cast for the party-list be
counted?
Because the voting will be at large, and not by
sector, all votes obtained by a party regardless of
constituency will be tallied on a nationwide basis.
The percentage of votes garnered by a party shall
be computed in relation to the total votes cast for
the party-list nationwide.

12. Party-List vs District Rep
What
is the
status
of
the party-list
representatives vis-à-vis representatives of
legislative
districts
in
the
House
of
Representatives?
Party-list representatives are considered elected
Members of the House and as such, entitled to
the same deliberative rights, salaries, and
emoluments as the regular Members of the House
of representatives. They shall serve for a term of
three (3) years with a maximum of three (3)
consecutive terms.

13. Total votes obtained by a Party List Group x 100%
TPLV
If the percentage share of Magdalo is expressed in two
decimal places we have:
451,377
22,574,337
x 100% = 2.00%

14. Note that the two-percenters are given one guaranteed seats each.
Then the remaining number of seats after the guaranteed seats are
given is distributed in two stages.
In the first stage, additional number of seats is given to the twopercenters by determining the whole number obtained when the
percentage share of the party list group is multiplied by the remaining
number of seats.
Suppose, for example, that there are 40 remaining seats.
1. if Party List A (PL-A) has 6% of the TPLV then 6% x 40 = 2.4.
Thus, PL-A is given 2 additional seats.
2. If Party List (PL-B) has 3% of the TPLV then 3% x 40 = 1.2. Thus,
PL-B is given 1 additional seat.
3. If Party List (PL-C) has 2% of the TPLV then 2% x 40 = 0.8. Thus,
PL-C is not given an additional seat.

15. There is a second stage if there are still vacant seats.
In the second stage, one seat is awarded to the highest
ranking (in terms of percentage share) party list group
that did not receive any additional seat in the first
stage. If there are still vacant seats, then one seat is
awarded each to the next ranking party list groups
until all the vacant seats are given.
Therefore, a party list group with at least two percent
of the TPLV is always assured of at least two seats by
the Supreme Court Decision

16. These are the 8 things you should know before casting your vote for the
party list:
1. You are voting for a party or organization, not a person.
2. You are voting for only one party or organization.
3. What are the parties and organizations participating in the party list in
2013? According to RA 7941, any national, regional, or sectoral party or
coalition may join once accredited by the Comelec. Banned from the
party list are groups that are religious, advocate violence and other
illegal ways in its advocacy, and are foreign or foreign-funded.
4. Remember your choice group’s number on the ballot.
5. While you won’t be voting for persons, you have a way of checking
who are the nominees of the different groups.
6. Your preferred group’s chances of winning will depend on the
percentage it gets against the total votes for all the participating groups.
7. You will still vote for a district representative (congressman), on the
opposite side of the ballot.
8. Your party-list representative is not a second-class congressman.