JAN.

09, 2014

NR # 3341B

Law setting elections of sectoral representation in local Sanggunians sought

Peoples active participation in local governance should be institutionalized through the of election sectoral representation in local Sanggunians, lawmakers insist. The House Committee on Suffrage and lectoral !eforms is now considering H" #$%, authored b& !eps. Cresente C. Paez 'C((P)*+TCC(, and !ep. +nthon& "ravo '- st .istrict, /asbate,, which provides for the manner and date of elections of sectoral representatives to the local Sanggunians nationwide. This bill onl& gives teeth to the -%0$ Constitutions provision which states that 12egislative bodies of local government units shall have sectoral representation as ma& be prescribed b& 2aw,3 the authors noted. The& also noted that the 2ocal 4overnment Code of -%%- '!+ $-56, has provided that the local sanggunians shall have 1one '-, sectoral representative from the women, and one '-, from the workers. The Code also mandates 1one '-, representation from an& of the following sectors7 the urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, disabled persons, or an& other sector as ma& be determined b& the sanggunians concerned within ninet& '%6, da&s prior to the holding of the ne8t local elections as ma& be provided b& law.3 19n -%%:, however, Congress enacted !+ $00$ which, among others, clarified that there is need for another law, other than the 2ocal 4overnment Code of -%%-, for the conduct of elections for local sectoral representatives, thus, H" #$%,3 the& pointed out. 9t has been more than twent& &ears after the ;ilipino people ratified the Constitution that gave them the mandate for local sectoral representation, but there is &et to be an enabling law that authorizes the election of sectoral representatives, the authors noted. 1The absence of an enabling law has frustrated the popular mandate for broader participation of our people and has diminished the democratization of our legislative processes,3 the& stressed. H" #$% also provides that each <ualified sectoral organization shall submit to the Commission on lections not later than fort& five '=:, da&s before the elections, a list of three '>, nominees, ranking them as the first, second and third nominees. The bill likewise provides for the <ualification of sectoral representatives including rules and regulations on the dis<ualification of nominees, among others. The Comelec shall, not later than si8t& '56, da&s before elections, prepare a certified list of accredited local sectoral organization which have applied and manifested their desire to participate in the elections for local sectoral representation to the local sanggunians and distribute forthwith copies thereof to all accredited local Part&)list chapters, and furnish all precincts for posting in the polling places on election da&. Section -- of the proposed law provides that ever& voter shall be entitled to vote for three sectoral organizations reserved for the sectoral representatives in the local sanggunians. '>6, dpt