What powers do you give, what responsibilities and services should you expect when you elect a district representative and a party-list organization?

District Representative

Term of Office

• 3 years
• Can be elected to a maximum of 3 consecutive terms

Qualifications

• Natural-born citizen of the Philippines 
• At least 25 years of age on the day of election
• Able to read and write
• Registered voter in the district where he/she seeks to represent
• Resident of that district for at least 1 year

Powers and Responsibilities

• Create bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, and simple resolutions
• Review the budget proposed by the executive department and create the general appropriations (budget) bill
• Tackle impeachment complaints and submit the resolution setting the Articles of Impeachment
• Vote to declare the existence of a state of war
• Authorize the president to exercise powers to carry out a declared national policy in times of war or other national emergency
• Vote to revoke or extend the president’s proclamation of martial law
• Through the Commission on Appointments, approve or reject key appointments made by the president to government agencies
• Vote on the president’s grant of amnesty
• Propose amendments and revisions to the Constitution, vote to convene into a constituent assembly or to call for an election of members of a constitutional convention

Sources: 1987 Philippine Constitution, Rappler article: Beyond legislation: Powers, roles of Philippine lawmakers 

Party-list Representative

Term of Office

• 3 years
• Can be nominated by elected party or organization to a maximum of 3 consecutive terms

Qualifications

PARTY OR ORGANIZATION

• Sectoral party – the group’s principal advocacy pertains to the special interests and concerns of the following sectors: labor, peasant, fisherfolk, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, elderly, handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals
• Sectoral organization – members have similar physical attributes or characteristics, employment, interests, or concerns
• Political party – members have the same ideology, political ideas, and principles for the general conduct of the government
• Must not be a religious sect or denomination, organization, or association organized for religious purposes
• Must not advocate violence or unlawful means to seek its goals
• Must not be a foreign party or organization
• Must not receive support from any foreign government, foreign political party, foundation, and organization
• Must not violate or fail to comply with laws, rules, or regulations relating to elections
• Must not declare untruthful statements in its petition
• Has not ceased to exist for at least 1 year or has not failed to participate in the last 2 preceding elections
• Has not failed to obtain at least 2% of the votes cast under the party-list system in the 2 preceding elections

NOMINEE

• Natural-born citizen of the Philippines 
• Registered voter
• Resident of the Philippines for at least 1 year
• Able to read and write
• Bona fide member for at least 90 days of the party which he/she seeks to represent
• At least 25 years of age on the day of election; if nominee for a youth sector, not more than 30 years old
• Nominated by the party

Powers and Responsibilities

• Same as district representatives, but expected to represent the interests of his/her sector or party in creating bills and resolutions

Sources: 1987 Philippine Constitution, Republic Act 7941: Party-List System Act

– Research by Pauline Macaraeg/Rappler.com

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