Revised Party-list System Act

Senate A Office of the Senterp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 JAN 12 A11:15 SENATE S.B. No. 1656 RECEIVED BY: INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PARTY- LIST SYSTEM ACT," TO STRENGTHEN THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM, TO PROMOTE PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The framers of the 1987 Constitution institutionalized the party-list system under Article VI, Section 5 as a transformative mechanism for representation. They envisioned a Congress that would no longer be dominated by individual, personality- based contests, but reshaped by sectors, organizations, and parties that compete based on platforms, programs, and principles.l The party-list system was meant to open the political system? and advance genuine plurality through proportional representation. 3 To implement this, Congress enacted Republic Act No. 7941 or the "Party-List System Act." However, structural weaknesses emerged that have frustrated the development of a mature party-list system. In particular, the imposition of a three-seat cap distorts proportional outcomes and prevents parties from scaling according to public support. This contradicts the Constitution's intent to achieve proportionality.4 Moreover, the system has been undermined by actors who treat party-list organizations as electoral vehicles for patronage, corruption, and dynastic entrenchment. The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism found that, in the 19th Congress, 66% of party-lists had at least one nominee from an established political dynasty.5 Further, recent congressional inquiries on anomalies governing flood 1 Ibarra M. Gutierrez III, The Judicially Legislated Concept of Marginalization and the Death of Proportional Representation: The Party-List System After Banat and Ang Bagong Bayani, 84 Phil. L.J. 606, 607 (2010). 2 Ibid, p. 611. 4 Julio C. Teehankee, Untangling the Party List System, in Philippine Politics and Governance: Challenges to Democratization and Development 144, 154 (2019). 5 Baluis, Aaron John, Leanne Louise Isip & Carmela Fonbuena, Political dynasties also swarm the party-list elections, RAPPLER (Dec. 7, 2024), https://www.rappler.com/philippines/elections/party-list-nominees-political-dynasties-

control have revealed that a substantial number of party-list representatives benefit directly from government projects as contractors.6 It is therefore urgent and imperative to revise the Party-list System Act to align its mechanisms with constitutional intent: to democratize political power by building a strong, credible, and programmatic party system grounded in proportional representation. Hence this measure, which seeks to institutionalize key reforms in Republic Act No. 7941 by: 1. Removing the three-seat limit to enable full democratic and proportional representation; 2. Prohibiting members of political dynasties from becoming party-list nominees or representatives; 3. Banning party-list nominees or representatives who own or have a beneficial interest in businesses that engage in government contracts; and 4. Introducing a clearer and fairer formula in determining the allocation of seats by defining a minimum threshold based on the number of available seats for party-list representatives. This measure seeks to re-establish the constitutional intent of the party-list system - a clear opportunity to democratize political power from the elite few to the people. With its passage, the hope remains for a truly representative Congress that advocates for the marginalized, disadvantaged, and exploited sectors of society and ensures democratic participation. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. tastiver - Вахария RISA HONTIVEROS Senator € Go. A Bluebook-style citation for the article would look like: Miriam Grace A. Go, "[Local Power) House of Contractors': what?" RAPPLER 2025), https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/local-power-house-of-representatives-contractors-list/

Seitate Offier of the Cramp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 JAN 12 A11 :15 SENATE RECEIVED B: S.B. No. _ 1656 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PARTY- LIST SYSTEM ACT," TO STRENGTHEN THE POLITICAL PARTY SYSTEM, TO PROMOTE PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 1 SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended as follows: "Section 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as the 'REVISED Party-List System Act'." 4 SECTION 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended as follows: "Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall promote proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations or coalitions thereof, which will enable Filipino citizens belonging to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations, [and] OR parties, and GROUPS THAT [who] lack well-defined political constituencies but who could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to become members of the House of Representatives. Towards this end, the State shall develop and guarantee a full, free and open

party system in order to attain the broadest possible representation of party, sectoral or group interests in the House of Representatives by enhancing their chances to compete for and win seats in the legislature, and shall provide the simplest scheme possible." 6 SECTION 3. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended as follows: "Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - "(a) The party-list system is a mechanism of proportional representation in the election of representatives to the House of Representatives from national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations, or coalitions OR SECTORAL WINGS OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES thereof registered with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Component parties or organizations of a coalition may participate independently provided the coalition of which they form part does not participate in the party-list system. "(b) [A party means either a political party or a sectoral party or a coalition of parties.] A PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION IS A GROUP OF CITIZENS THAT IS DULY REGISTERED WITH THE COMELEC UNDER THIS ACT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SEEKING REPRESENTATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH THE PARTY- LIST SYSTEM. A NATIONAL PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION (i) REFERS TO A PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION WITH A MEMBERSHIP, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE, AND POLITICAL ADVOCACY THAT ARE NATIONAL IN SCOPE. (ii) A REGIONAL PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION REFERS TO A PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION WITH A MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FROM AT LEAST A MAJORITY OF THE CITIES AND PROVINCES COMPRISING ONE REGION.

(I A SECTORAL PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION REFERS TO A PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION WITH ALL OF ITS MEMBERS BELONGING TO ANY OF THE SECTORS ENUMERATED IN

SECTION 5 HEREOF OR ANY OTHER GROUP

OF CITIZENS SHARING THE SAME AGE GROUPS, SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, GENDER IDENTITIES OR EXPRESSIONS, SEX CHARACTERISTICS, EMPLOYMENT, INTERESTS, OR CONCERNS. A SECTORAL WING OF A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY MAY BE A SECTORAL PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION IF IT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS IN THIS PARAGRAPH AND HAS ITS OWN CONSTITUTION AND BY- LAWS, PLATFORM OR PROGRAM OF GOVERNMENT, AND SET OF OFFICERS. (iv) MULTI-SECTORAL PARTYLIST ORGANIZATION REFERS TO A PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION WHOSE MEMBERS BELONG TO TWO OR MORE SECTORS ENUMERATED IN SECTION 5 HEREOF OR OTHER GROUPS OF CITIZENS SHARING SIMILAR AGE GROUPS, SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, GENDER IDENTITIES OR EXPRESSIONS, SEX CHARACTERISTICS, EMPLOYMENT, INTERESTS, OR CONCERNS. "(c) A political party refers to an organized group of citizens DULY REGISTERED WITH THE COMELEC advocating an ideology or platform, principles and policies for the general conduct of government and which, as the most immediate means of securing their adoption, regularly nominates and supports certain of its leaders and members as candidates for public office. (i) It is a national POLITICAL party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the regions.

(ii) It is a regional POLITICAL party when its constituency is spread over the geographical territory of at least a majority of the cities and provinces comprising the region. (iii) A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY REFERS TO A DULY REGISTERED AND ACCREDITED POLITICAL PARTY OR COALITION OF PARTIES WHICH THE COMELEC, AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW, DETERMINES TO POSSESS NATIONAL CHARACTER AND SUBSTANTIAL POLITICAL STRENGTH. A PARTY THAT FIELDS POLITICAL CANDIDATES IN THE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ELECTIONS IS A MAJOR POLITICAL PARTY. "(d) [A sectoral party refers to an organized group of citizens belonging to any of the sectors enumerated in Section 5 hereof whose principal advocacy pertains to the special interest and concerns of their sector.] AVAILABLE SEATS REFER TO THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF SEATS RESERVED FOR THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. "(e) [A sectoral organization refers to a group of citizens or a coalition of groups of citizens who share similar physical attributes or characteristics, employment, interests or concerns.] THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD REFERS TO THE VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) MULTIPLIED BY ONE DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SEATS. THIS VALUE SHALL BE EXPRESSED IN AT LEAST SIX (6) DECIMAL PLACES FOR ACCURACY. "(f) [A coalition refers to an aggrupation of duly registered national, regional, sectoral parties or organizations for political and/or election purposes.] WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTERS REFER TO REGISTERED PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS THAT REACH THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD."

2 SECTION 4. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 4. Manifestation to Participate in the Party-List System. - Any [party, organization, or coalition] PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION already registered with the [Commission] COMELEC UNDER THIS ACT need not register anew. However, such [party, organization, or coalition] PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION shall file with the [Commission] COMELEC, not later than ninety (90) days before the election, a manifestation of its desire to participate in the party-list system."

SECTION 5. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 5. Registration. - Any organized group of [persons] CITIZENS may register as a [party, organization, or coalition] PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION for purposes of the party-list system by filing with the COMELEC not later than ninety (90) days before the election a petition verified by its president or secretary stating its [desire] INTENTION to participate in the party-list system [as a national, regional, or sectoral party of organization or a coalition of such parties or organizations, attaching thereto its constitution, by-laws, platform or program of government, list of officers, coalition agreement and other relevant information as the COMELEC may require: PROVIDED, THAT FOR SECTORAL OR MULTI- SECTORAL PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS, the sectors [shall] MAY include labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals-] OR OTHER GROUPS OF CITIZENS SHARING SIMILAR AGE GROUPS, SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS, GENDER IDENTITIES OR EXPRESSIONS, SEX CHARACTERISTICS, EMPLOYMENT, INTERESTS, OR CONCERNS. "THE VERIFIED PETITION MUST STATE THE FOLLOWING:

• NAME AND ACRONYM OF THE PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION, WITH THE ACRONYM NOT EXCEEDING TWENTY (20) CHARACTERS: (ii) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ITS PRESIDENT, CHAIRPERSON, OR SECRETARY-GENERAL WHO WILL REPRESENT THE PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION IN THE PETITION; (iii) PETITIONER'S PRINCIPAL ADDRESS; (iv) NAMES, POSITIONS, AND ADDRESSES OF ITS ELECTED OFFICERS; (V) PETITIONER'S INTENTION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTY-LIST ELECTION; (vi) NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ITS CHAPTER OFFICES; (vii) THAT ALL OF ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS ARE MADE AWARE OF THE PETITION AND HAVE GIVEN THEIR CONSENT THERETO; (viji) THE LIST OF DOCUMENTS ATTACHED TO THE PETITION; (ix) THAT IT IS NOT A RELIGIOUS SECT OR DENOMINATION, ORGANIZATION, OR ASSOCIATION ORGANIZED FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES; (x) THAT IT DOES NOT ADVOCATE VIOLENCE OR UNLAWFUL MEANS TO ACHIEVE ITS GOALS: (xi) THAT IT IS NOT AN ADJUNCT OR A PROJECT ORGANIZED OR AN ENTITY FUNDED OR ASSISTED BY THE GOVERNMENT; (xii) THAT IT IS NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ESTABLISHED BY A POLITICAL DYNASTY: (xiii) THAT IT IS NOT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO ANY PERSON WHO HAS A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN OR HOLD CONTRACTS OR SUB- CONTRACTS TO SUPPLY THE GOVERNMENT OR ANY OF ITS DIVISIONS, SUBDIVISIONS, OR INSTRUMENTALITIES, WITH GOODS OR SERVICES OR TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER WORKS; (xiv) THAT IT IS NOT A FOREIGN PARTY OR ORGANIZATION; (XV) THAT IT DOES NOT RECEIVE SUPPORT FOR PARTISAN POLITICAL PURPOSES FROM ANY FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, FOREIGN POLITICAL PARTY,

FOUNDATION, OR ORGANIZATION, WHETHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY; (xvi) THE PERIOD OF EXISTENCE OF THE PETITIONER, WHICH SHALL BE AT LEAST ONE (1) YEAR AT THE TIME THE PETITION IS FILED; AND (xvii) THAT IT COMMITS TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO ELECTIONS. "The COMELEC shall publish the petition in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. The COMELEC shall, after due notice and hearing, resolve the petition, OR ANY MOTION FOR ITS RECONSIDERATION OF THE DENIAL OR APPROVAL THEREOF, within fifteen (15) days from the date it was submitted for decision but in no case not later than sixty (60) days before election. "THE COMELEC SHALL DENY OR CANCEL THE REGISTRATION OF PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH NAMES, ACRONYMS, OR EMBLEMS THAT: A) ARE PATTERNED AFTER, DERIVED FROM, OR CONFUSINGLY SIMILAR TO TITLES OF TELEVISION OR RADIO PROGRAMS THAT ARE EXISTING OR DEFUNCT AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION; B) ARE IDENTICAL OR CONFUSINGLY SIMILAR TO THE NAMES OF EXISTING OR DEFUNCT GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE, SUBSIDY, WELFARE, DEVELOPMENT, OR OTHER PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, OR ACTIVITIES; C) USE, REFER TO, OR ARE CONFUSINGLY SIMILAR TO THE NAMES, STAGE NAMES, INITIALS, IMAGES, LIKENESS, OR WELL-KNOWN MONICKERS OF LIVING OR DECEASED PUBLIC OFFICIALS, POLITICIANS, CELEBRITIES, ATHLETES, OR OTHER PUBLIC FIGURES; OR D) OTHERWISE CREATE A FALSE IMPRESSION OF ENDORSEMENT, AFFILIATION, OR CONNECTION WITH ANY GOVERNMENT PROGRAM OR PUBLIC FIGURE.

ALL EXISTING REGISTERED PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS WITH NAMES, ACRONYMS, OR EMBLEMS THAT FALL WITHIN THE PROHIBITIONS UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE REQUIRED TO ADOPT AND REGISTER A COMPLIANT NAME, ACRONYM, OR EMBLEM WITH THE COMELEC WITHIN SIX (6) MONTHS FROM THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT."

SECTION 6. Section 6 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 6. Refusal and/or Cancellation of Registration. The COMELEC may motu proprio or upon a verified complaint of any interested party, refuse or cancel, after due notice and hearing, the registration of any [national, regional, or sectoral coalition] PARTY-LIST party organization or ORGANIZATION on any of the following grounds: XXX "(7) [It has ceased to exist for at least one (1) year] IT WAS DISSOLVED, ABSORBED, MERGED, OR HAS OTHERWISE CEASED TO EXIST; or "(8) It fails to participate in the last two (2) preceding elections or fails to obtain at least [two percentum (2%) of the votes cast under the party list system] THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD in the two (2) preceding elections [for the constituency in which it has registered]."

SECTION 7. Section 7 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec. 7. Certified List of Registered Parties. - The COMELEC shall, not later than sixty (60) days before election, prepare a certified list of [national, regional, or sectoral party organization or coalition] PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS which have applied or have manifested their [desire] INTENTION to participate under the party-list system and distribute copies thereof to all precincts for posting in the polling places on election day. The names of the party list nominees shall not be shown on the certified list] THE

CERTIFIED LIST SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN A NEWSPAPER OF GENERAL CIRCULATION AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK FOR TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE WEEKS NOT LATER THAN FORTY-FIVE (45) DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION." 7 SECTION 8. Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 8. Nomination of Party-List Representatives. Each registered [party, organization or coalition] PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION shall submit to the COMELEC not later than forty-five (45) days before the election a list of names, not less than [five (5)] TWENTY (20), from which party-list representatives shall be chosen in case it obtains the required number of votes. IF A PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION WINS MORE THAN TWENTY (20) SEATS IN AN ELECTION, IT SHALL SUBMIT ADDITIONAL NOMINEES TO THE COMELEC. "A person may be nominated in one (1) list only. Only persons who have given their consent in writing may be named in the list. The list shall not include any candidate for any elective office [or a person who has lost his bid for an elective office] IN THE CURRENT OR in the immediately preceding election, EXCLUDING BARANGAY ELECTIONS. No change of names or alteration of the order of nominees shall be allowed after the same has been submitted to the COMELEC except in cases where the nominee dies, [or] withdraws in writing his nomination, OR becomes incapacitated, in which case the name of the substitute nominee shall be placed last in the list. [Incumbent sectoral representatives in the House of Representatives who are nominated in the party list system shall not be considered resigned.]"

SECTION 9. New provisions after Section 9 of Republic Act No. 7941 are hereby

added: "SECTION 9-A. PROHIBITION AGAINST POLITICAL DYNASTIES. NO PERSON MAY BECOME OR SUBSTITUTE FOR A PARTY-LIST NOMINEE OR

OTHERWISE BECOME PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE IF HE OR SHE IS: A) A SPOUSE OR A RELATIVE WITHIN THE FOURTH DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY OF AN INCUMBENT ELECTIVE OFFICIAL, INCLUDING A PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE: B) A SPOUSE OR RELATIVE WITHIN THE FOURTH DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY OF A NOMINEE OF ANY PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION OR A CANDIDATE FOR ANY ELECTIVE PUBLIC OFFICE IN THE SAME ELECTION; OR C) SUCCEEDS TO THE OFFICE OF A PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS HIS OR HER SPOUSE OR RELATIVE WITHIN THE FOURTH DEGREE OF CONSANGUINITY OR AFFINITY." "SECTION 9-B. PROHIBITION AGAINST GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS. NO PARTY-LIST NOMINEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OR PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION SHALL, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY: A) HOLD CONTRACTS OR SUB-CONTRACTS TO SUPPLY THE GOVERNMENT OR ANY OF ITS DIVISIONS, SUBDIVISIONS, OR INSTRUMENTALITIES, WITH GOODS OR SERVICES OR TO PERFORM CONSTRUCTION OR OTHER WORKS: B) SERVE AS A PARTNER, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, MEMBER, OR STOCKHOLDER OF ANY CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP, OR ENTITY THAT HOLDS ANY SUCH CONTRACT OR SUB-CONTRACT AS IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PARAGRAPH; OR C) POSSESS ANY BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP, PECUNIARY INTEREST, OR FINANCIAL STAKE IN ANY SUCH CONTRACT OR SUB-CONTRACT AS IN THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS OR IN ANY

PARTNERSHIP, CORPORATION, OR ENTITY HOLDING SUCH CONTRACT OR SUB-CONTRACT." "SECTION 9-C. PETITION FOR DISQUALIFICATION OF PARTY-LIST NOMINEE. - THE COMMISSION MAY, MOTU PROPRIO OR UPON A VERIFIED PETITION, REMOVE OR DISQUALIFY, AFTER DUE NOTICE AND HEARING, A PARTY-LIST NOMINEE ON THE GROUND THAT HE OR SHE DOES NOT POSSESS ANY OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A PARTY-LIST NOMINEE OR THAT HE OR SHE POSSESSES ANY OF THE PROHIBITIONS."

SECTION 10. Section 10 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as

follows: "Sec. 10. Manner of Voting. Every voter shall be entitled to two (2) votes FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: the first is a vote for a candidate for member of the House of Representatives in [his] THE legislative district, and the second, a vote for the [party, organization, or coalition] PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION he OR SHE wants represented in the House of Representatives IN THE PARTY- LIST SYSTEM: Provided, That a vote cast for a [party, organization or coalition] PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION not entitled to be voted for [shall] WILL not be counted[: Provided, finally, That the first election under the party list system shall be held in May 1998] AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IN THE COMPUTATION OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES CAST FOR THE PARTY-LIST."

SECTION 11. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as

follows: "Sec. 11. Number of Party-List Representatives. The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty percentum (20%) of the total number of the members of the House of Representatives including those under the party-list. THE AVAILABLE SEATS SHALL BE COMPUTED BY MULTIPLYING THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS BY TWENTY FIVE PERCENT (25%). ROUNDED TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER. A

PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION MAY BE ENTITLED TO MORE THAN THREE (3) SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. "For purposes of the May 1998 elections, the first five (5) major political parties on the basis of party representation in the House of Representatives at the start of the Tenth Congress of the Philippines shall not be entitled to participate in the party-list system. "[In determining the allocation of seats for the second vote, the following procedure shall be observed:] "[(a) The parties, organizations, and coalitions shall be ranked from the highest to the lowest based on the number of votes they garnered during the elections.] "[(b) The parties, organizations, and coalitions receiving at least two percent (2%) of the total votes cast for the party tist system shall be entitled to one seat each: Provided, That those garnering more than two percent (2%) of the votes shall be entitled to additional seats in proportion to their total number of votes : Provided, finally, That each party, organization, or coalition shall be entitled to not more than three (3) seats.]"

SECTION 12. Section 12 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as

follows: "Sec. 12. Procedure in Allocating Seats for the Party-List Representatives. [The COMELEC shall tally all the votes for the parties, organizations, or coalitions on a nationwide basis, rank them according to the number of votes received and allocate party list representatives proportionately according to the percentage of votes obtained by each party, organization, or coalition as against the total nationwide votes cast for the party list system.] IN ALLOCATING SEATS FOR THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM, THE COMELEC SHALL ADOPT THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE:

"(A) THE COMELEC SHALL FIRST DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SEATS FOR THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM. "(B) THE PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE PARTY-LIST ELECTION SHALL BE RANKED FROM THAT WHICH OBTAINED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF VOTES TO THAT WHICH OBTAINED THE LOWEST NUMBER OF VOTES DURING THE ELECTION. "(C) THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTES OF EACH PARTY- LIST ORGANIZATION RELATIVE TO THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VALID VOTES CAST FOR THE PARTY-LIST ELECTION SHALL BE DETERMINED BY DIVIDING THE NUMBER OF VOTES OBTAINED BY THE PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION BY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VALID VOTES CAST UNDER THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM AND MULTIPLYING THE RESULT BY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%), COMPUTED UP TO SIX (6) DECIMAL PLACES. "(D) THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD SHALL BE COMPUTED. BASED ON THE RESULT OF THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PARAGRAPH, THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTERS WILL BE SEGREGATED FROM THE PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS THAT DID NOT REACH THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD. "(E) THE NUMBER OF VOTES OBTAINED BY EACH WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTER SHALL BE MULTIPLIED BY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF AVAILABLE SEATS AND DIVIDED BY THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VALID VOTES CAST FOR ALL THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTERS. THE RESULT WILL BE THE NUMBER OF SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT SHALL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTER, ROUNDED DOWN TO THE NEAREST WHOLE NUMBER. A PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATION MAY BE AWARDED MORE THAN THREE (3) SEATS.

"(F) ANY REMAINING AVAILABLE SEATS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO OTHER PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS THAT DID NOT REACH THE WINNING MINIMUM PERCENTAGE THRESHOLD. ONE SEAT WILL BE AWARDED TO EACH OF THEM, AS RANKED IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION, UNTIL ALL THE AVAILABLE SEATS SHALL HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED."

SECTION 13. A new section is hereby inserted after Section 17 of Republic Act No.

7941, as follows: "SECTION 17-A. VOTER EDUCATION. THE COMELEC, TOGETHER WITH AND IN SUPPORT OF ACCREDITED CITIZENS' ARMS, SHALL CARRY OUT A CONTINUING AND SYSTEMATIC CAMPAIGN THROUGH PUBLICATIONS, RADIO, TELEVISION, AND OTHER MEDIA FORMS, INCLUDING SOCIAL MEDIA, AS WELL AS THROUGH SEMINARS, SYMPOSIA, FORUMS, AND OTHER NON-TRADITIONAL MEANS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC AND FULLY INFORM THE ELECTORATE ABOUT THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM INCLUDING HOW TO CAST THE VOTE THEREFOR."

SECTION 14. Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7941 is hereby amended to read as

follows: "Section 18. Rules and Regulations. The COMELEC, IN CONSULTATION WITH PARTY-LIST ORGANIZATIONS, CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS, AND ACADEMICS, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations IN THE FORM OF RESOLUTIONS as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act."

SECTION 15. Separability Clause. If any part of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall remain valid and effective.

SECTION 16. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, proclamations, or parts thereof, particularly of Republic Act No. 7941, or the "Party-List System Act" and of Republic Act No. 9006, or the "Fair Elections Act," which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 17. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect 15 days after its publication in

at least two newspapers of general circulation. Approved,