NAMFREL pushes party-list reforms before Senate panel

MANILA — The National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) has urged the Senate to ban government contractors from the party-list system, prohibit the use of celebrity names and government assistance program brands like “ayuda” and “tupad,” and impose anti-dynasty measures up to the fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity.

In a position paper dated March 1 submitted to the Senate Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation (CERPP), NAMFREL laid out six recommendations ahead of the March 2 public hearing on proposed party-list reform bills currently under deliberation.

NAMFREL called on the committee to craft a consolidated substitute bill drawing on the strongest provisions of SB 1656, SB 1559, SB 1871, and SB 1907. At a minimum, the election watchdog said, the measure should include robust anti-dynasty provisions covering at least the third to fourth degree of consanguinity and affinity, an outright prohibition on government contractors as nominees, the removal of the three-seat cap in favor of a true proportional seat allocation formula, a ban on the use of government program names and celebrity or media personalities, extended Commission on Elections (COMELEC) vetting periods with mandatory evidentiary hearings, and mandatory disclosure of campaign donors and political backers.

The group also cautioned that provisions seeking to restrict participation exclusively to marginalized and underrepresented sectors must be carefully harmonized with the Supreme Court’s Atong Paglaum ruling to avoid constitutional challenges. NAMFREL recommended that the committee invite constitutional law experts and the COMELEC to provide guidance on this point.

NAMFREL further called for the removal of what it described as red-tagging provisions. Any measure that could be used to disqualify party-list organizations on the basis of alleged ideological affiliations without due process — such as those appearing in SB 201 — should be struck out, NAMFREL said, stressing that political pluralism and the protection of legitimate political participation are fundamental to democracy.

The election watchdog urged the Senate to pair the party-list reform with companion legislation, specifically the Anti-Political Dynasty Act to prevent dynasties from using the party-list as an extension of family political power, and broader political finance reforms that strengthen the enforceability of campaign spending limits.

NAMFREL likewise warned the committee against imposing compliance and vetting requirements so burdensome that they would exclude legitimate but resource-constrained grassroots organizations — the very groups the system was designed to empower — while wealthy entities with professional legal teams navigate the process with ease.

The group also pushed for provisions promoting party stability, including measures limiting party-switching or turncoatism, to prevent the use of party-list organizations as mere electoral vehicles abandoned after elections.

NAMFREL expressed its commitment to supporting the committee’s work and said it remains available to provide additional technical assistance, research, or clarifications as needed.