DAY 2
Open Forum
The floor was then opened for clarifications and additional proposals
from the plenary. Badette Lingo (AKO) raised that the although the
bill on dual citizenship was not actually an electoral reform bill,
it was cited in relation to the absentee voting bill to provide
enfranchisement to all overseas Filipinos.
On the mention of consensus to have sectoral representation in
local legislative bodies, one of the participants stressed the concern
that these sectoral representatives should be elected. In another
note, the idea of appointed sectoral representatives came to the
fore. However, Dr. Guss Rodriguez expressed reservation on the idea
saying that the system will be prone to having pseudo-sectoral representatives
who are actually supporters of local government officials. Another
participant gave her concurrence anchored on who will actually appoint
these representatives and on the reality that the active and organized
sectors have some disputes with the local elected officials. Such,
she stressed, may affect the appointment process.
Mr. Ventosa of the PPCRV floated the idea that maybe certain safeguards
on the system can counter the fears raised by the two participants.
Mr. Lara stood to inform the body that the safeguards are all in
the provisions on the registration and accreditation process and
to suggest that the body can later look into the manner adopted
in the bills from previous congresses and work it out with the DILG
to come up with a uniform proposal. He also cited the current efforts
of the workers’ sector in the appointment of representatives
in the local levels.
The issue of practicability and feasibility of the election of
local sectoral representatives given the budget constraint in the
national and local governments was raised by Ms. Lyn Angeles of
PRRM-Marinduque/Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Dr. Rodriguez recognized
the problem of financial capacity but maintained that we still have
to find solutions to carry out the mandate of the constitution and
the local government code. He enumerated three proposals that would
deal with the problem: the national government can subsidize the
exercise for the first few years of its implementation; the current
number of sanggunian members will be maintained while the three
seats are reserved to sectoral representatives; and a staggered
implementation, i.e. start with cities, first and second class municipalities
and eventually in all local government units.
In addition, Ms. Marietta Goco of Kilusang Pambayan noted one motivation
of local government officials to oppose the sectoral representation
in that they do not want “watchdogs” in the sanggunians.
She underscored that we should not be constrained with budgetary
concerns but instead devise other ways of fund sourcing, like bond
floating. Ms. Goco made another note that the much needed support
from civil society groups in terms of skills at governance and carrying
out of programs should be given to individuals or organizations
that have crossed over from non-government organizations to government
institutions.
At this point, Mr. Norman Patino of IPD took over the facilitation
of the open forum. He held that following the discussions, the question
lies on the level-off point of the stakeholders in electoral reforms,
and brought up the possibility of sustaining and enhancing the engagement
of the government and the civil society.
Another participant briefly referred to RA 7166 which authorizes
the Comelec to provide for the manner of election of representatives
in the local sanngunains, then asked why the body should address
it to another legislation, instead of directing the Comelec to perform
its mandate. Mr. Lara replied, however, that RA 7166 was amended
by another law, RA 7887, which transfers the mandate to pass an
enabling law providing for the manner of election of local sectoral
representatives. Such amendment was carried out because the previous
provision would amount to undue delegation of legislative powers
to the Comelec.
Mr. Archimedes Cortez of Senate Policy Studies advanced the idea
that campaign finance can address the spirit of anti-political dynasty
mandate. Along with our pursuit of political dynasties should come
the tracking down of business elites who are behind political candidates.
He acknowledged the imperative to include discussion of political
dynasty under the topic of strengthening political parties and campaign
finance, and submitted that the body should push for campaign finance
reform, also, with the desire to realize the spirit of anti-political
dynasty.
In response, Mr. Lara called for having another forum to discuss
campaign finance reform and strengthening political parties as such
concerns are not only limited to the bills filed but cover a myriad
of subject matters and legislations.
Speaking from the campaign finance workshop group, Mr. Ventosa
of PPCRV agreed to the motion of Mr. Lara as one of the resolutions
of the group was to conduct a study, within two months, on the matter
based on the recommendations of the summit, then reconvene for a
review and finally for the inclusion in the proposed bill.
