Party-list System Integrity Act

Senaie Office of the sectary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 JAN 28 AIO :33 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No._ 1718 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM TO UPHOLD CONSTITUTIONAL INTENT, ENSURE AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION OF MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED SECTORS, AND PREVENT ITS USE FOR POLITICAL MANEUVERING, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PARTY-LIST SYSTEM ACT" EXPLANATORY NOTE There is a pressing need to amend the Party-List System Act (Republic Act No. 7941) to ensure that the party-list system faithfully fulfills its constitutional purpose under Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution: to broaden political participation in the House of Representatives by enabling meaningful representation of marginalized and underrepresented sectors, as well as other groups that lack effective political voice or well-defined constituencies, in a manner consistent with constitutional text and prevailing jurisprudence. The party-list system was established by the 1987 Constitution as a corrective mechanism to complement district-based representation. It was intended to open legislative participation to sectors and groups that are systematically disadvantaged or otherwise excluded from traditional electoral competition dominated by entrenched political parties, dynasties, and powerful interests. The Constitution mandates that party-list representatives shall constitute twenty percent (20%) of the total membership of the House of Representatives, underscoring the system's role as an integral component of representative democracy.

Jurisprudence, particularly Atong Paglaum v. COMELEC (G.R. No. 203766, April 2, 2013), has clarified that the party-list system remains open to national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations, and that national and regional parties are not required to be sector-based or to represent marginalized sectors. At the same time, the Supreme Court emphasized that the system must not be distorted into a vehicle for personal, dynastic, or elite political interests that defeat its representational and democratic character. In practice, however, the party-list system has increasingly deviated from both its constitutional intent and jurisprudential limits. Over successive elections, party-list participation has been marked by the proliferation of organizations linked to political dynasties, incumbent elective officials, large business interests, and the military or police establishment, often without any genuine connection to the sectors or constituencies they purport to represent, or without operating as bona fide program-based political organizations. This pattern was already evident in the May 2022 elections. In their research, election watchdog Kontra Daya said that 120 of the 177 party-list groups, or about 67.8 percent, had been "hijacked" by political clans, big businesses, and government-linked interests, citing such ties, unclear representation, or pending cases. The trend persisted in the 2025 elections, with Kontra Daya finding that out of 156, 40 party-list groups have links to political clans, 25 to big businesses, 18 to the police or military, seven face corruption cases, and 11 promote dubious advocacies. The watchdog further reported that more than half of the party-list organizations running in Eleksyon 2025 do not represent marginalized sectors, as 86 of the 156 groups seeking seats in the House of Representatives, or 55.13 percent, fail to represent the poor or underrepresented. Taken together, these developments demonstrate how the party-list system has increasingly been used as a tool for political maneuvering, elite capture, proxy representation, and the circumvention of constitutional and statutory safeguards, rather than as a mechanism for democratic inclusion and representative pluralism. This erosion of institutional integrity undermines public trust in the electoral system

and subverts the Constitution's clear design. In light of the scale and persistence of these abuses, legislative inaction is no longer tenable. This bill seeks to restore and strengthen the integrity of the party-list system by establishing clear, objective, and enforceable standards grounded in constitutional text and Supreme Court jurisprudence. It does so by distinguishing among national, regional, and sectoral parties; requiring demonstrable organizational legitimacy, internal democracy, and independence; and instituting safeguards against political turncoatism, dynastic capture, proxy participation, and the circumvention of term limits. The measure mandates transparent registration and evidentiary processes, provides for public participation and accountability, strengthens the investigatory and fact-finding powers of the Commission on Elections within constitutional bounds, and clarifies the respective jurisdictions of the Commission on Elections and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal. It further requires voter education and public disclosure to ensure informed participation in the party-list system. This Act does not restrict participation on the basis of ideology, political belief, or electoral popularity. Rather, it regulates the manner of participation by ensuring that party-list representation, whether sectoral, national, or regional, is grounded on genuine organizational existence, democratic governance, transparency, and fidelity to the Constitution. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. LOREN LEGARDA

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the secretary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 26 JAN 28 A10:33 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S. No. 1718 Introduced by Senator Loren Legarda AN ACT STRENGTHENING THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM TO UPHOLD CONSTITUTIONAL INTENT, ENSURE AUTHENTIC REPRESENTATION OF MARGINALIZED AND UNDERREPRESENTED SECTORS, AND PREVENT ITS USE FOR POLITICAL MANEUVERING, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7941, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "PARTY-LIST SYSTEM ACT" Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in the Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the "Party-List System

Integrity Act"

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to strengthen

4 democratic and accountable representation in the House of Representatives through 5 a party-list system that complements district representation and broadens political 6 participation. Consistent with Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution, the party-list system shall remain open to registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations, recognizing that national and regional parties need not be organized along sectoral lines, while sectoral parties may represent either marginalized and underrepresented sectors or those lacking well-defined political constituencies. The State shall safeguard the integrity of the party-list system by preventing its use to circumvent term limits, perpetuate political dynasties, facilitate political turncoatism, or enable elite capture, and by ensuring that party-list participation is

1 grounded on organizational integrity, internal democracy, transparency, and 2 accountability, in accordance with constitutional and jurisprudential standards.

Sec. 3. Definition of Party-List Categories. - For purposes of this Act, parties or

organizations participating in the party-list system shall be classified as follows: (a) National parties or organizations refer to those organized and operating on a nationwide basis, whose platforms, programs, or advocacies address national issues or concerns, and which are not required to be organized along sectoral lines nor to represent any marginalized or underrepresented sector. (b) Regional parties or organizations refer to those organized and operating within one or more regions, whose platforms, programs, or advocacies address regional issues or concerns, and which are not required to be organized along sectoral lines nor to represent any marginalized or underrepresented sector. (c) Sectoral parties or organizations refer to those organized to represent specific sectors or groups of society, which may include either marginalized and underrepresented sectors or sectors that lack well-defined political constituencies, and whose principal advocacy pertains to the special interests and concerns of the sector they seek to represent.

Sec. 4. Mandatory Registration and General Eligibility for Party-List

Organizations. - All party-list organizations, whether existing or newly formed, intending to participate in the election period immediately following the effectivity of this Act shall be required to register or re-register with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC); Provided, That prior participation in or victory in any previous election shall not exempt any party-list organization from full compliance with the registration requirements under this Act and other applicable election laws. Registration shall be determined on the basis of objective, reasonable, and non- discriminatory criteria, including the applicant's juridical existence, organizational structure, internal governance mechanisms, transparency, accountability, and demonstrated capacity to participate meaningfully in the electoral process. Except for the circumstances enumerated in Section 5 of this Act, no party, organization, or coalition shall be denied registration solely on account of its ideology, political beliefs, advocacy, or platform, or, in the case of national and regional parties or organizations, for lack of sectoral character or proof of marginalization.

Sectoral parties or organizations shall be evaluated according to the sector they 2 claim to represent, in a manner consistent with this Act, Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution, and prevailing jurisprudence.

Sec. 5. Prohibited Acts and Disqualifications. - The following parties,

organizations, or coalitions shall be disqualified from registration, participation, or continued inclusion in the party-list system, after due notice and hearing: (a) Any party, organization, or coalition that is a religious sect, denomination, organization, or association organized primarily for religious purposes, including worship, ministry, or religious instruction, and that receives direct or indirect support, whether financial or non-financial, from religious institutions, authorities, or entities, where such support results in religious control over policy direction, decision-making, leadership selection, or electoral participation, effectively rendering the party, organization, or coalition the political arm of the said religious sect or denomination. (b) Any party, organization, or coalition that advocates violence, rebellion, insurrection, or other unlawful means to achieve its objectives. (c) Any foreign party or organization, or any party, organization, or coalition receiving direct or indirect support, financial or otherwise, from any foreign government, foreign political party, foundation, or organization for partisan electoral purposes. (d) Any party, organization, coalition, or nominee that makes material misrepresentations or false statements in its registration petition, sworn disclosures, or submissions to the Commission on Elections. (e) Any party, organization, coalition, or nominee that violates election laws, rules, or regulations, as determined by final judgment or final resolution. (f) Any party or organization that is created, revived, or reorganized primarily for the purpose of participating in a single election, without a demonstrable record of sustained organizational existence, internal governance, and advocacy consistent with its declared platform. (g) Any party-list organization that is formed, controlled, or used, directly or indirectly, to enable an individual who has reached constitutional or statutory

term limits for elective office to continue exercising legislative power through nomination, proxy representation, or substitute participation. (h) Any party-list organization that is effectively controlled, financed, directed, or substantially influenced by an incumbent elective official, or by a person related to an incumbent elective official within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity, in a manner that defeats the independent and representative character of the party-list system. (i) Any party-list organization whose nominees, officers, or controlling members are predominantly drawn from active military or police service, or whose participation undermines the civilian character of representative institutions. (i) Any party, organization, or coalition that has ceased to exist, or has been inactive for at least one (1) year prior to the election, as demonstrated by the absence of evidence of actual advocacy-based activities undertaken in pursuit of its organizational goals, including implemented programs, campaigns, policy advocacy actions, sectoral or community initiatives, public information or mobilization efforts, or other substantive actions directed at advancing its stated objectives, taking into account the party's declared scope of representation, such that national parties must show advocacy activities of national reach, regional parties of regional or cross-regional reach, and sectoral parties within their claimed sector; isolated or purely local activities shall not be deemed sufficient to satisfy the activity requirement of national or regional parties. (k) Any party or organization that (i) fails to participate in the last two (2) immediately preceding party-list elections; or ii) fails to obtain at least two percent (2%) of the total votes cast for the party-list system in the immediately preceding party-list election.

Sec. 6. General Registration Requirements for Party-List Organizations. - Any

national, regional, or sectoral party, organization, or coalition seeking registration or continued participation in the party-list system shall file its application with the Commission on Elections not later than two hundred forty (240) days before the immediately succeeding election, or such longer period as may be fixed by COMELEC by rule, and shall comply with the following general registration requirements, without

1 prejudice to the additional requirements applicable to their respective classifications 2 under this Act: (a) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall possess juridical personality under Philippine law and shall submit proof of lawful organization, including its constitution, by-laws, and registration documents, where applicable. (b) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall expressly declare whether it seeks registration as a national, regional, or sectoral party or organization, and shall submit a sworn statement describing the scope of its operations and the basis for such classification. (c) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall disclose its organizational structure, including its officers, governing bodies, decision- making mechanisms, and internal lines of authority, and submit competent evidence of identity of its officers, governing body members, and nominees, sufficient to verify accountability and compliance with this Act. (d) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall submit written rules governing membership, leadership selection, decision-making, and nominee selection, demonstrating that the organization operates through defined and orderly internal processes. (e) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall submit a written platform or advocacy agenda, including a three (3)-year program of government or list of legislative measures advocated, setting forth its policy objectives, principles, and legislative priorities, consistent with its declared classification. (f) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall present records, supported by competent evidence, showing a bona fide membership base or operational presence consistent with its declared scope, whether national, regional, or sectoral, sufficient to demonstrate that it is not a fictitious or paper organization. (g) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall submit sworn disclosures on its leadership, governing bodies, sources of funding, and

major contributors, as required by law, to enable verification that it is not controlled by prohibited persons or interests. (h) The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall certify compliance with election laws, rules, and regulations, and shall not be disqualified under the prohibited acts and disqualifications enumerated in this Act. ( The party, organization, or coalition applying for registration shall submit such additional documents, records, or certifications as may be reasonably required by the Commission on Elections to verify compliance with this Act, provided that such requirements are applied uniformly, objectively, and without discrimination.

Sec. 7. Specific Requirements for National and Regional Parties or

Organizations. - National and regional parties or organizations seeking registration or continued participation in the party-list system shall, in addition to the general registration requirements under this Act, demonstrate, through objective and verifiable evidence, that they operate at the national or regional level, as declared, and that they are bona fide, program-based, and institutionally independent political organizations, and not personal, dynastic, or proxy vehicles for individual politicians. Compliance with this requirement shall be established through the following scope-specific and verifiable criteria: (a) Program-based advocacy of national or regional scope. - The party or organization shall submit a written platform or program of government addressing policy issues of national concern or region-wide concern, as applicable, including the baseline problem, articulated policy positions, legislative priorities, and proposed measures that are not confined to a single locality or district. Such a platform shall be formally adopted or approved by the governing body and shall not be primarily centered on the political career, candidacy, or personal interests of any individual. (b) Organizational independence with national or regional reach. - The party or organization shall submit its constitution, by-laws, and internal rules demonstrating that no single individual, family, locality, or district-based group exercises dominant or exclusive control over its governance, policy direction,

finances, or nomination processes. The organizational structure shall reflect shared authority across multiple geographic areas, consistent with its declared national or regional scope. (c) Democratic governance and nominee selection reflecting national or regional representation. - The party or organization shall maintain written rules and documented practices ensuring democratic participation of its members, including transparent procedures for the selection or election of officers and nominees, periodic leadership renewal, and decision-making by a governing body that draws participation from multiple regions or provinces, and is not composed solely or predominantly of nominees or their immediate affiliates. (d) Institutional separation from district-based or localized political machinery. - The party or organization shall submit sworn disclosures and supporting records demonstrating that it is not organized, operated, or sustained primarily through a single district, locality, or personal political network, and is not an extension, substitute, or fallback mechanism of any district-based candidate or political organization. No national or regional party-list organization shall be used to circumvent constitutional or statutory term limits or to perpetuate the political participation of term-limited officials through proxy or substitute representation. (e) Demonstrated continuity of national or regional operations. - The party or organization shall present verifiable evidence of sustained organizational existence, leadership activity, and advocacy conducted at the national or regional level, independent of the nomination, election, or tenure of any particular nominee. Such evidence shall show continuity across time and geography, and that the organization does not materially cease, diminish, or reorganize solely due to changes in its nominees. (f) Transparency and accountability consistent with national or regional operation. - The party or organization shall disclose its leadership structure, governing bodies, sources of funding, and major contributors, in accordance with law, sufficient to verify that it is not controlled, financed, or substantially influenced by a single locality, political dynasty, or incumbent elective official,

and that its resources and decision-making processes are consistent with its declared national or regional scope. Evaluation under this Section shall be strictly limited to the institutional 4 legitimacy, geographic scope, organizational independence, and governance integrity of national and regional parties or organizations, and shall not require them to be sector-based, marginalized, or underrepresented, consistent with Article VI, Section 5 7 of the Constitution and prevailing jurisprudence.

Sec. 8. Specific Requirements for Sectoral Parties or Organizations. - For

9 purposes of registration and continued participation in the party-list system, a sectoral party or organization shall be considered genuinely sector-based only upon compliance with the following specific and verifiable requirements: (a) Defined sectoral constituency. - The party or organization shall submit a sworn declaration identifying the sector it seeks to represent, including: (1) the defining characteristics of the sector; (2) the common interests or concerns shared by its members; and (3) the specific policy objectives and legislative priorities relating to that sector. The declared sector shall be consistent with the organization's constitution, by- laws, and platform. (b) Sector-based organizational composition. - The party or organization shall submit records showing that a substantial portion of its membership, officers, or governing body consists of individuals who belong to, work within, serve, or maintain a direct and meaningful connection to the claimed sector. Such records may include membership rolls, organizational profiles, or sworn certifications, sufficient to demonstrate that the organization is not merely nominally sectoral. (c) Demonstrated track record of sectoral advocacy. - The party or organization shall present documented evidence of sustained sector-specific programs, activities, or advocacy addressing the needs or concerns of the sector it seeks to represent. Such advocacy must show continuity and independence from any nominee's electoral campaign. Activities undertaken solely during election

periods or primarily for the promotion of individual candidacies shall not be sufficient to establish compliance. (d) Independence from non-sectoral political control. - The party or organization shall disclose its sources of funding, governance structure, and decision-making processes, and shall demonstrate that it is not controlled, financed, or directed by individuals or entities whose primary political or economic interests are unrelated to the sector. No sectoral party or organization shall function as a proxy vehicle for incumbent elective officials, political dynasties, or term-limited politicians. (e) Sector-driven governance and nominee selection. - The party or organization shall maintain internal rules and practices ensuring that policy positions, advocacy priorities, and the selection and ranking of nominees are determined primarily on the basis of sectoral interests. The governing body responsible for such decisions shall not be composed solely or predominantly of nominees or persons acting on their behalf. (f) Verifiability and record-keeping. - The party or organization shall maintain complete, accurate, and verifiable records of its membership, leadership, activities, governance decisions, and sectoral engagements, and shall make such records available to the Commission on Elections for purposes of verification, audit, and compliance review.

Sec. 9. Evidentiary Standards and Documentary Requirements. - The COMELEC

shall promulgate and publish the documentary and evidentiary requirements necessary to establish compliance with the general and category-specific requirements for registration, participation, and continued inclusion in the party-list system. In evaluating compliance, the COMELEC shall consider the relevance, verifiability, continuity, independence from electoral campaigns, authenticity, and corroboration of the evidence submitted, and shall assess the totality of evidence on record using the standard of substantial evidence. No documentary or evidentiary requirement shall be imposed in a manner that is arbitrary, discriminatory, or unrelated to the purposes of this Act. All requirements shall be applied uniformly to similarly situated party-list organizations within the same classification.

Sec. 10. Qualifications of Party-List Nominees - No person shall be nominated

or serve as a party-list representative unless he or she possesses the qualifications for membership in the House of Representatives as expressly provided under Article VI, 4 Section 6 of the Constitution.

Sec. 11. Disqualifications of Party-List Nominees. - A person shall be

6 disqualified from nomination or from serving as a party-list representative, after due 7 notice and hearing, on any of the following grounds: (a) The nominee is related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to an incumbent elective official, and such relationship results in, or forms part of, the control, direction, or substantial influence over the party-list organization, in a manner that defeats its independent and representative character. (b) The nominee is an incumbent elective official at the time of nomination, unless otherwise expressly allowed by the Constitution. (c) The nominee is shown, by substantial evidence, to have been nominated primarily as a proxy, placeholder, or nominal representative, while another person exercises effective control or influence over the party-list organization or the nominee's legislative functions. (d) The nominee exercises exclusive or disproportionate control over the party- list organization's governance, finances, or decision-making processes, such that the organization ceases to operate independently of the nominee. (e) The nominee is not a bona fide member of the party or organization, or fails to meet the substantive membership requirements prescribed under this Act. (f) The nomination of the nominee results in, or forms part of, the direct or indirect circumvention of constitutional or statutory term limits, where: (i) a former district representative who has served three (3) consecutive terms, or a former Senator who has served two (2) consecutive terms, is nominated or seated as a party-list representative; or (ii) such former district representative or former Senator, without being the party-list nominees or representative, exercises direct or indirect control, direction, or substantial influence over the party-list organization, its nominees, legislative agenda, or the performance of

legislative functions, thereby enabling the continued exercise of legislative power through proxy or substitute representation. (g) The nominee has a financial or contractual interest in the sector being represented; or effectively controls, or is controlled by, a corporation or other entity with substantial interests in the sector, in a manner that creates a continuing conflict with the legislative, regulatory, or advocacy role claimed by the party-list organization and undermines the integrity of representation. (h) The nominee is nominated for the purpose of evading pending administrative, civil, or criminal liability, or to frustrate the execution of a lawful judgment, order, or electoral sanction. (i) The nominee forms part of a pattern of repeated substitution, rotation, or replacement within the same or affiliated party-list organizations, intended to defeat term limits, evade public scrutiny, or manipulate seat allocation. G) The nominee makes materially false statements or omissions in sworn disclosures, nomination papers, or submissions to the Commission on Elections.

Sec. 12. Registration Procedure, Publication, and Opposition. - Upon the filing

of an application for registration or continued participation in the party-list system, the COMELEC shall ensure a transparent and participatory process, subject to its constitutional and statutory powers, and in accordance with rules it shall promulgate for this purpose. At a minimum: (a) The COMELEC shall determine whether the application is filed within the prescribed period and is accompanied by the documents required under this Act and its implementing rules. (b) No application shall be acted upon without prior publication of the application, in a manner sufficient to inform the public of the identity, classification, and nominees of the applicant, as may be provided in the COMELEC rules. (c) Any interested party may, within the period and in the manner prescribed by the COMELEC, file a verified opposition or petition-in-intervention raising factual or legal issues affecting eligibility, compliance with this Act, or the qualifications or disqualifications of nominees.

(d) The applicant shall be afforded due notice and a reasonable opportunity to respond to any opposition or intervention, and the COMELEC may conduct such hearings, receive such evidence, and undertake such fact-finding as it deems necessary. (e) The COMELEC shall resolve the application within the period prescribed under this Act or its rules, stating the material facts, the evidence relied upon, and the legal basis for its action. The detailed procedures, timelines, modes of publication, evidentiary rules, and 9 other matters necessary to implement this Section shall be governed by rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Elections.

Sec. 13. Hearings, Investigation, and Fact-Finding Powers. - For purposes of

evaluating applications for registration, continued participation, suspension, or cancellation of registration under the party-list system, the COMELEC is hereby expressly authorized to exercise the following powers, consistent with the Constitution and existing election laws: (a) COMELEC may conduct summary or evidentiary hearings, as may be necessary, to resolve material issues of fact raised in an application, opposition, or petition-in-intervention. Such hearings may include the reception of testimonial and documentary evidence, subject to due notice and opportunity to be heard. (b) COMELEC may require applicants, party-list organizations, nominees, officers, or controlling members to submit sworn disclosures, affidavits, certifications, or other verified statements necessary to establish compliance with this Act, including matters relating to organizational control, funding, governance, advocacy, and nominee qualifications. (c) COMELEC may issue subpoenas ad testificandum and subpoenas duces tecum to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, records, or other evidence relevant to the determination of eligibility, compliance, or disqualification under this Act, in accordance with its constitutional and statutory powers. (d) For purposes of verification and investigation, the COMELEC may request and obtain information, records, or assistance from other government agencies,

including but not limited to the Securities and Exchange Commission, Anti- Money Laundering Council, Commission on Audit, Office of the Ombudsman, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Philippine Statistics Authority, and appropriate law enforcement agencies, subject to applicable laws on confidentiality and data protection. (e) COMELEC may conduct or cause the conduct of field verification, inspection, or validation of representations made by party-list organizations or nominees, including verification of offices, membership, activities, or advocacy claimed in their submissions. (t) COMELEC may, upon a prima facie finding supported by substantial evidence and after due notice, require a party-list organization or its nominees to submit for examination relevant books of accounts, financial records, contracts, or other accounting documents, strictly for purposes of verifying compliance with this Act, including the determination of prohibited control, unlawful or foreign funding, circumvention of term limits, or material misrepresentation. Any examination under this paragraph shall be limited to matters directly relevant to party-list eligibility, registration, nominee qualifications, or continued compliance, conducted in a reasonable and proportionate manner, and subject to applicable laws on bank secrecy, tax confidentiality, and data privacy. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize general audits or fishing expeditions, or to impair the right of the party-list organization or nominee to question the scope, relevance, or admissibility of the records required. The exercise of the powers under this Section shall be limited to matters relevant to the party-list system and shall be undertaken in a manner that is reasonable, proportionate, and consistent with due process.

Sec. 14. Resolution Timelines, Motions for Reconsideration, and Finality. - To

ensure the orderly administration of elections and the timely resolution of party-list registration matters, the COMELEC shall, in accordance with rules it shall promulgate, observe reasonable and election-sensitive timelines for the disposition of applications for registration or continued participation, together with any oppositions or interventions.

In no case shall any application for registration or continued participation, 2 including any motion for reconsideration, remain unresolved beyond a period that would materially affect ballot preparation, finalization of the list of party-list 4 candidates, or the orderly conduct of elections. Any party adversely affected by a resolution of the COMELEC may file one (1) 6 motion for reconsideration within the period prescribed by the Commission's rules. All resolutions of the COMELEC on party-list registration, suspension, or 8 cancellation shall become final and executory prior to ballot preparation, and shall not 9 be subject to further administrative review. No party-list organization whose registration has not become final within the 11 period prescribed by the Commission shall be included in the official ballots, list of party-list candidates, or election materials. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to impair the constitutional power of judicial review of the Supreme Court; provided, that the filing of any petition shall not stay the preparation of ballots or the conduct of elections, unless otherwise ordered 16 by the Supreme Court.

Sec. 15. Continuing Compliance and Post-Registration Review. - Registration or

accreditation under the party-list system shall be subject to continuing compliance with this Act and shall not be deemed permanent or immutable. COMELEC may, at any time prior to proclamation, and in accordance with rules it shall promulgate, motu proprio or upon verified complaint, review the continuing compliance of a party-list organization or its nominees with the requirements of this 23 Act, including compliance affected by material changes in organization, governance, control, funding, nominee composition, or advocacy. Party-list organizations and nominees shall disclose to the COMELEC any material change occurring after registration, in the manner and within the period prescribed by the COMELEC. Where a party-list organization or nominee has been proclaimed but has not yet assumed office, the COMELEC may act on matters within its jurisdiction arising from acts or circumstances existing prior to proclamation, without prejudice to the exclusive jurisdiction of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal after assumption of office.

Continuing compliance with the eligibility, independence, and representational 2 requirements prescribed under this Act shall be deemed a condition for the retention of a party-list seat. Where such compliance is questioned after assumption of office, the matter shall fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the House of Representatives 5 Electoral Tribunal, in accordance with Article VI, Section 17 of the Constitution. 6 Records, evidence, or documentation developed by the Commission on Elections prior to proclamation relating to such compliance shall be duly transmitted to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal and shall form part of the official record of any 9 related proceeding. Such records shall likewise be made publicly accessible in 10 accordance with law, without prejudice to the Tribunal's exclusive jurisdiction and independent judgment. Upon finding, after due notice and hearing, of non-compliance with this Act prior to assumption of office, the COMELEC may impose such remedies or sanctions as are authorized by this Act and applicable election laws.

Sec. 16. Grounds and Procedure for Suspension or Cancellation of Registration.

16 - The registration or continued participation of a party-list organization under the 17 party-list system may be suspended or cancelled, or its nominees disqualified, upon discovery of violations of this Act after registration, subject to due notice and hearing. (a) COMELEC may initiate proceedings for suspension, cancellation, or nominee disqualification upon finding, through substantial evidence, any of the following grounds: 1. Material misrepresentation or concealment of facts in the registration application, sworn disclosures, or supporting documents; 2. Commission of any prohibited act or existence of any disqualifying circumstance under this Act discovered after registration, including acts that would have constituted grounds for denial under Section 5 had they been known at the time of registration; 3. Material changes in organizational structure, control, funding, or governance that result in loss of eligibility or compliance with this Act; 4. Use of the party-list organization or its nominees as a proxy, placeholder, or substitute to circumvent constitutional or statutory term limits;

5. Control, domination, or substantial influence by incumbent elective officials, political dynasties, or prohibited persons arising after registration; 6. Nominee substitution, rotation, or restructuring undertaken to evade scrutiny, accountability, or the requirements of this Act; or 7. Any act or omission that materially undermines the representative, democratic, and institutional character of the party-list system. (b) In determining the appropriate sanction, COMELEC shall apply remedies proportionate to the gravity and effect of the violation, which may include any of the following: 1. Suspension of registration, where the violation is remediable and does not warrant permanent exclusion, subject to compliance with conditions prescribed by the COMELEC; 2. Cancellation of registration, where the violation is substantial, deliberate, recurring, or fundamentally inconsistent with the purposes of the party- list system; 3. Disqualification of specific nominees only, where the violation pertains solely to nominee qualifications or conduct and does not affect the eligibility of the party-list organization as a whole. (c) Proceedings under this Section may be initiated motu proprio by COMELEC or upon a verified complaint by any interested party. The respondent party-list organization or nominees shall be afforded due notice, access to evidence, and an opportunity to be heard. Summary proceedings may be conducted where appropriate, without prejudice to the reception of evidence on material factual issues. (d) A suspension or cancellation of registration shall take effect in accordance with the timelines provided under this Act and shall not disturb the validity of ballots or votes already cast, unless otherwise provided by law or ordered by the Supreme Court. (e) Actions taken under this Section shall be limited to matters within the jurisdiction of the COMELEC and shall not encroach upon the exclusive

jurisdiction of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal after assumption of office.

Sec. 17. Nominee Substitution, Succession, and Vacancy Rules. - To preserve

the integrity of the party-list system and prevent circumvention of constitutional and statutory limitations, the following rules shall govern the substitution of nominees and the filling of vacancies: (a) Substitution of a party-list nominee shall be allowed only in cases of death, permanent incapacity, or voluntary withdrawal for justifiable reasons, as determined by the COMELEC. Substitution shall not be permitted for the purpose of avoiding disqualification, evading scrutiny, or altering the composition of nominees after the filing deadline. (b) No nominee shall be substituted or allowed to assume office if such substitution is shown, by substantial evidence, to be part of a scheme to install a proxy, placeholder, or substitute representative acting on behalf of another person who is disqualified, term-limited, or otherwise prohibited from nomination. (c) Repeated substitution, rotation, or cycling of nominees within the same party-list organization or among affiliated party-list organizations, undertaken to evade term limits, nominee disqualifications, or public scrutiny, is hereby prohibited. Any such pattern shall constitute grounds for nominee disqualification or for suspension or cancellation of the party-list organization's registration. (d) In case of vacancy in a party-list seat, whether arising before or after proclamation, the vacancy shall be filled in by the next qualified nominee in the order submitted to the COMELEC, provided that such nominee continues to meet all the requirements of this Act. No reordering or alteration of the list of nominees shall be allowed after submission, except as expressly authorized under this Section. (e) All substitutions shall be subject to prior disclosure, verification, and approval by the COMELEC. The party-list organization shall submit sworn statements explaining the grounds for substitution and certifying that the

substitution does not result in any prohibited act or disqualifying circumstance under this Act. (f) Service by a substitute nominee shall be counted for purposes of term limits, and no substitution or succession shall be allowed to interrupt, reset, or otherwise circumvent the maximum number of terms allowed by law. (g) The authority of the COMELEC under this Section shall apply prior to assumption of office. After assumption of office, matters relating to qualifications, succession, or vacancy shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, in accordance with the Constitution.

Sec. 18. Centralized Party-List Information Repository. - COMELEC shall

establish and maintain a centralized, publicly accessible repository of information relating to party-list organizations and their nominees, subject to the Constitution, the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and other applicable laws. The repository shall contain, at a minimum, information necessary to promote transparency, accountability, and informed public participation in the party-list system, including the identity, classification, platform or advocacy, nominees, and compliance status of registered party-list organizations, in such form and level of detail as may be prescribed by the COMELEC. The COMELEC shall promulgate rules governing the scope of disclosure, modes of access, data retention, security measures, and safeguards to protect personal data and sensitive information, ensuring that disclosures are limited to what is relevant and necessary for electoral transparency and oversight. Information required to be disclosed under this Section shall be regularly updated and made available through the COMELEC's official website or other appropriate electronic platforms. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize the disclosure of personal data beyond what is permitted by law, nor to impair the rights of data subjects under the Data Privacy Act of 2012.

Sec. 19. Sanctions and Penalties. - Any violation of this Act, its implementing

rules and regulations, or lawful orders of COMELEC shall, after due notice and hearing,

be subject to the following sanctions, without prejudice to the filing of appropriate civil 2 or criminal actions under existing laws: (a) The COMELEC may impose one or more of the following administrative sanctions, proportionate to the gravity, frequency, and intent of the violation: 1. Warning or reprimand, for minor or first-time violations not affecting the integrity of representation; 2. Administrative fines, in amounts to be determined by COMELEC under its rules, taking into account the nature of the violation and the capacity of the offender; 3. Disqualification of a nominee, without prejudice to the continued participation of the party-list organization where the violation is attributable solely to the nominee; 4. Suspension of registration or participation, for a specified period, where violations affect compliance with registration or eligibility requirements; 5. Cancellation of registration, where violations are grave, willful, repeated, or demonstrate fundamental ineligibility or abuse of the party-list system. Administrative sanctions shall be imposed in a graduated manner, whenever practicable, and shall observe the principles of proportionality and due process. (b) The following acts, when committed willfully and knowingly, shall be punishable in accordance with this Act and applicable election laws: 1. Making false statements, omissions, or misleading representations in sworn disclosures, registration petitions, nominee submissions, or documentary requirements material to eligibility, classification, or compliance under this Act; 2. Organizing, controlling, or utilizing a party-list organization or nominee as a proxy, placeholder, or substitute to enable the continued exercise of legislative power by a person disqualified, term-limited, or otherwise prohibited from holding office; 3. Knowingly receiving, channeling, disguising, or concealing foreign financial or material support for partisan electoral purposes, in violation of this Act or existing election laws.

Any person found guilty under this subsection shall be punished by 2 imprisonment, fine, or both, as may be determined by the court, without prejudice to 3 perpetual or temporary disqualification from public office where warranted by law. (c) Where the violation is committed by a party-list organization, criminal and administrative liability shall attach to the officers, nominees, or persons who authorized, directed, or knowingly benefited from the prohibited act, without prejudice to the liability of the organization itself. (d) No sanction shall be imposed for good-faith errors, minor clerical inaccuracies, or acts not materially affecting eligibility, representation, or compliance with this Act. Legitimate advocacy, political dissent, or program- based participation shall not, by themselves, give rise to liability under this Section.

Sec. 20. Voter Education and Public Disclosure. - COMELEC, in coordination

with accredited citizens' arms, civil society organizations, and educational institutions, shall undertake a continuing and systematic voter education program on the party-list system. Such program shall include, but not be limited to: (a) Public information campaigns explaining the distinctions among national, regional, and sectoral party-list organizations, and the role of the party-list system under Article VI, Section 5 of the Constitution; (b) Dissemination of accessible information on registered party-list organizations, their declared classifications, platforms, and nominees, subject to reasonable data protection standards; (c) Education on the rights and responsibilities of voters in the party-list system, including how party-list votes are counted and seats allocated; and (d) Measures to promote informed and meaningful participation, especially among first-time voters and traditionally underrepresented communities. Voter education under this Section shall be non-partisan, factual, and designed to enhance public understanding without favoring or disfavoring any party or organization.

Sec. 21. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - COMELEC shall promulgate the

Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. In formulating the IRR, the COMELEC shall: (a) Ensure consistency with the Constitution, this Act, and prevailing jurisprudence; (b) Conduct public consultations with political parties, party-list organizations, civil society organizations, the legal profession, and other relevant stakeholders; (c) Prescribe uniform, objective, and transparent procedures for registration, evaluation, hearings, investigations, sanctions, and continuing compliance; and (d) Publish the IRR in the Official Gazette and at least one newspaper of general circulation, and make the same publicly accessible through official platforms.

Sec. 22. Transitory Provisions. - This Act shall apply prospectively. All party-list

organizations, whether previously registered, accredited, or having participated or won in prior elections, shall be required to apply for registration or re-registration under this Act, in accordance with the procedures, timelines, and requirements prescribed by the COMELEC. For the first election cycle following the effectivity of this Act: (a) COMELEC shall prescribe a reasonable transition period for compliance, which shall not exceed one (1) election cycle from effectivity, and may adopt phased or graduated compliance measures, provided that such measures do not dilute or suspend the safeguards against misrepresentation, abuse, term- limit circumvention, dynastic capture, or proxy participation; (b) No party-list organization shall be denied registration or participation solely on the basis of non-compliance with newly introduced documentary or procedural requirements, unless such non-compliance involves material misrepresentation, prohibited acts, bad faith, or failure to meet substantive requirements essential to the integrity of the party-list system; and

(c) All pending or unresolved applications, proceedings, oppositions, or petitions before the COMELEC at the time of effectivity shall, insofar as practicable and consistent with due process, be resolved in accordance with this Act. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as conferring vested rights to registration, accreditation, or participation in the party-list system beyond what is expressly provided under the Constitution and this Act.

Sec. 23. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

9 unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 24. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and

regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Sec. 25. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Adopted,