Sectoral representation in the Philippines

Last updated

Sectoral representation in the Philippines refers to the now abolished system of representation in the Batasang Pambansa, then the House of Representatives of the Philippines. This has been replaced with party-list representation in the House of Representatives of the Philippines.

Contents

Local legislatures were also mandated to have sectoral representatives, but only the election indigenous cultural minorities in some legislatures have seen daylight.

In the Batasang Pambansa and House of Representatives

Prior to 1978

The Malolos Congress, Philippine Assembly, the National Assembly, and the House of Representatives, have been solely elected from electoral districts.

1973 constitution

The 1973 constitution introduced the parliamentary system of government, in the form of the Batasang Pambansa. It also introduced sectoral representation, which was derived from fascist Italy. It was a plan by president Ferdinand Marcos to institute a corporatist system in which every sector would have a single organization approved and controlled by him, with elections derived from sectoral organizations that have separate and officially sanctioned voter lists. However, Filipino society was too fluid and democratic traditions too strong for Marcos to impost corporatism; he instead appointed legislators to represent sectors. [1]

1987 constitution

After the ouster of Marcos in the People Power Revolution, President Corazon Aquino appointed a constitutional commission to draft a new constitution. In this commission, there was a strong support to add a party-list system in the new constitution. In transition, it was agreed to allow presidential appointment of up to 25 sectoral representatives for three legislative terms (that is, until 1998). The party-list system was first implemented during the 1998 elections. [1]

List of members

In the Batasang Pambansa, the distribution of seats were as follows: [2]

SectorAllocationPer parliament
LuzonVisayasMindanaoAt-largeTotal IBP RBP
Agricultural labor 2110443
Industrial labor 2110441
Youth 2112666
Total6332141410

In Congress, the allocation was as follows: [3]

SectorAllocationPer Congress
Total 8th 9th 10th
Labor 25389
Peasants 2 [lower-alpha 1] 25
Youth 203
Urban poor 212
indigenous cultural communities 011
Women 1 [lower-alpha 2] 12
Youth 223
Veterans 1 [lower-alpha 3] 00
Elderly1 [lower-alpha 3] 00
Disabled 1 [lower-alpha 2] 00
Total25161525
  1. In the 8th Congress, a representative each for farmers and fisherfolk were appointed, but separately grouped from peasants.
  2. 1 2 In the 8th Congress, women and the disabled were originally represented by one person; she died, and was replaced by a man, who then only represented the disabled.
  3. 1 2 In the 8th Congress, the veterans and elderly were represented by one person.

Agricultural labor/peasant

The peasant sector covers the agricultural group, which includes all persons who personally and physically till the land as their principal occupation, agricultural tenants and lessees, rural workers and farm employees, owner-cultivators, settlers and small fishermen

Leg Term of officeSeat ASeat BSeat CSeat DSeat E
Seats created on February 7, 1978 as "agricultural labor". [2]
IBP June 12, 1978 – June 30, 1984
N/A
RBP June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986
Term expired upon dissolution of parliament on March 25, 1986.
Seats renamed on June 18, 1987 as "peasant". [3]
8th June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
    • Romeo Angeles
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Bartolome Arteche
    • Appointed in 1992.
9th June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995
    • Leonardo Montemayor
    • Appointed in 1992
    • Reappointed in 1995.
    • Vicente Tagle
    • Appointed in 1992
    • Reappointed in 1995.
10th June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
    • Adolfo Geronimo
    • Appointed in 1995.
    • Arturo Olegario Jr.
    • Appointed in 1995.
    • Glicerio Tan
    • Appointed in 1995.
Seats dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Disabled

The sector of the disabled covers the physically and socially disabled.

#MemberTerm of office Leg Electoral history
Seat created on June 18, 1987 as "disabled". [3]
1
    • Estelita Juco
    • (Also represented women)
June 30, 1987 – July 7, 1989 8th
    • Appointed in 1987.
    • Died in office 1989.
2Art Borjal1989 – June 30, 1992Appointed in 1989.
Seat dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Farmers

#MemberTerm of office Leg Electoral history
1Daniel de LunaJune 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992 8th Appointed in 1992.

Fisherfolk

#MemberTerm of office Leg Electoral history
1Antonio Olegario Jr.June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992 8th Appointed in 1992.

Indigenous cultural communities

The indigenous cultural communities sector covers all ethnic groups cultural communities.

#MemberTerm of office Leg Electoral history
Seat created on June 18, 1987 as "indigenous cultural communities". [3]
1Joseph SibugJune 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995 9th
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Died in office 1994.
2Ronald AdamatJune 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998 10th Appointed in 1995.
Seats dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Industrial labor/labor

The labor group refers to the industrial labor group, which includes all non-agricultural workers and employees.

Leg Term of officeSeat ASeat BSeat CSeat DSeat ESeat FSeat GSeat HSeat I
Seats created on February 7, 1978. [2]
IBP June 12, 1978 – June 30, 1984
N/A
RBP June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986
Term expired upon dissolution of parliament on March 25, 1986.
Seats renamed on June 18, 1987 as "labor". [3]
8th June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
    • Adelisa Almario-Raymundo
    • Appointed in 1987.
    • Ramon Jabar
    • Appointed in 1987.
    • Reappointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
    • Alejandro Villavisa
    • Appointed in 1987.
9th June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995
    • Temistocles Dejon Sr.
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
    • Zoilo dela Cruz
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
    • Andes Dinglasan Jr.
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
    • Paterno Menzon
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Ernesto Verceles
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
    • Alejandro Villavisa
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
10th June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
    • Isidro Aligada
    • Appointed in 1995.
    • Gregorio del Prado
    • Appointed in 1995.
    • Mohammad Omar Fajardo
    • Appointed in 1995.
Seats dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Urban poor

The urban poor sector includes the underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban areas.

Leg Term of officeSeat ASeat B
Seats created on June 18, 1987 as "urban poor". [3]
8th June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
    • Herminio Panganiban
    • Appointed in 1987.
    • Rey Teves
    • Appointed in 1987.
9th June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995
    • Ariel Zartiga
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
10th June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
    • Florante Tarona
    • Appointed in 1995.
Seats dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Veterans and elderly

The veterans sector embraces persons recognized as such veterans by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The elderly sector covers persons who are sixty-five years of age or over.

This was supposedly two separate sectors, but was represented by one person in the 8th Congress.

#MemberTerm of office Leg Electoral history
Seats created on June 18, 1987 as "veterans," and "elderly". [3]
1Dionisio OjedaJune 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995 8th Appointed in 1992.
Seats dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Women

The women sector shall cover all women.

Leg Term of officeSeat ASeat B
Seats created on June 18, 1987 as "women". [3]
8th June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
    • Estelita Juco
    • (Also represented the disabled)
    • Appointed in 1987.
    • Died in office 1989.
9th June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995
    • Minerva Laudico
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
10th June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
    • Leonor Ines Luciano
    • Appointed in 1995.
Seats dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Youth

In the Batasang Pambansa, the youth representatives are between 18 and 25 years of age.

In Congress, the youth sector embraces persons not more than thirty-five years of age.

Leg Term of officeSeat ASeat BSeat CSeat DSeat ESeat F
Seats created on February 7, 1978 as "youth". [2]
IBP June 12, 1978 – June 30, 1984
RBP June 30, 1984 – March 25, 1986
Term expired upon dissolution of parliament on March 25, 1986.
8th June 30, 1987 – June 30, 1992
    • Al Ignatius Lopez
    • Appointed in 1987.
9th June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1995
    • Edgardo Avila
    • Appointed in 1992.
    • Reappointed in 1995.
    • Cesar Chavez
    • Appointed in 1992.
10th June 30, 1995 – June 30, 1998
    • Felizardo Colambo
    • Appointed in 1995.
Seats dissolved with the adoption of the party-list system on 1998.

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Member for the Visayas
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Member for Luzon
  3. 1 2 3 Member for Mindanao

In local legislatures

Legislatures under the Local Government Code

The Local Government Code of 1991 provided sectoral representation in local legislatures (Sangguniang Panlalawigan or provincial boards, Sangguniang Panlungsod or city councils, Sangguniang Bayan or municipal councils, and the Sangguniang Barangay or village councils). The Local Government Code allocated each sector in each legislature:

SectorTotal
Agricultural labor1
Industrial labor
Women1
Urban poor1
Indigenous cultural minorities
Disabled
Total3

However, the code states that the manner of election shall be in the manner as provided by law. Aside from the indigenous cultural minorities, no other law has been passed to facilitate the election of such sectoral representatives, and remains unfulfilled.

The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997 mandates representation for indigenous peoples in local legislatures in places that they reside. The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) has been elected in several legislatures through out the country. [4]

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is meant to represent the youth in local legislatures. SK elections are on a separate electoral roll, and has been held in mostly in conjunction with barangay elections. A series of indirect elections from the barangay level to the provincial level allows for representation of the SK in local legislatures.

Bangsamoro Parliament

The Bangsamoro Organic Law provides sectoral representation in the Bangsamoro Parliament. Eight seats, or 10% the seats in parliament are allocated for these sectors: [5]

SectorTotal
Non-Moro indigenous peoples (i.e. lumads)2
Settler communities2
Women1
Youth1
Traditional leaders1
The ulama 1
Total8

The Bangsamoro Transition Authority encouraged residents to run for these sectoral seats in the first elections in 2025, as they had noted that "these sectors usually hardly secure representation in the then-Regional Legislative Assembly" [5]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regions of the Philippines</span> Administrative divisions of the Philippines

In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that primarily serve to coordinate planning and organize national government services across multiple local government units (LGUs). Most national government offices provide services through their regional branches instead of having direct provincial or city offices. Regional offices are usually but not necessarily located in the city designated as the regional center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Congress of the Philippines</span> National legislature of the Philippines

The Congress of the Philippines is the legislature of the national government of the Philippines. It is bicameral, composed of an upper body, the Senate, and a lower body, the House of Representatives, although colloquially, the term "Congress" commonly refers to just the latter. The Senate meets at the GSIS Building in Pasay, while the House of Representatives meets at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City, which also hosts joint sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Representatives of the Philippines</span> Lower house of the Congress of the Philippines

The House of Representatives is the lower house of Congress, the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, with the Senate of the Philippines as the upper house. The lower house is commonly referred to as Congress, although the term collectively refers to both houses.

Elections in the Philippines are of several types. The president, vice-president, and the senators are elected for a six-year term, while the members of the House of Representatives, governors, vice-governors, members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, mayors, vice-mayors, members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod/members of the Sangguniang Bayan, barangay officials, and the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan are elected to serve for a three-year term.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of the Philippines</span> National government of the Philippines

The government of the Philippines has three interdependent branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Philippines is governed as a unitary state under a presidential representative and democratic constitutional republic in which the president functions as both the head of state and the head of government of the country within a pluriform multi-party system.

The Philippines is divided into four levels of administrative divisions, with the lower three being defined in the Local Government Code of 1991 as local government units (LGUs). They are, from the highest to the lowest:

  1. Regions are mostly used to organize national services. Of the 17 regions, only one—the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao—has an elected government to which the central government has devolved competencies.
  2. Provinces, independent cities, and one independent municipality (Pateros)
  3. Component cities and municipalities within a province
  4. Barangays within a city or municipality

The legislative districts of Agusan del Norte are the representations of the province of Agusan del Norte in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first and second congressional districts.

The legislative districts of Aklan are the representations of the province of Aklan in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first and second congressional districts.

The legislative districts of Agusan del Sur are the representations of the province of Agusan del Sur in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The province is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first and second congressional districts.

The legislative districts of Caloocan are the representations of the highly urbanized city of Caloocan in the various national legislatures of the Philippines. The city is currently represented in the lower house of the Congress of the Philippines through its first, second, and third congressional districts.

The legislative districts of the Philippines are the divisions of the Philippines' provinces and cities for representation in the various legislative bodies. Congressional districts are for House of Representatives, while there are districts for Sangguniang Panlalawigan, and some Sangguniang Panlungsod. For purposes of representation, the Senate, most Sangguniang Panlungsod, Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan are all elected at-large, although there were districts for the Senate from 1916 to 1935.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 Sangguniang Pampook elections</span>

The 1979 Sangguniang Pampook elections were held for the 2 Regional Legislative Assemblies or Sangguniang Pampook on 7 May 1979, in the former Region IX and Region XII. Both were former Philippine Autonomous Regions located in areas of the Mindanao islands group in the southern Philippines.

Sangguniang Panlalawigan, commonly known as the Provincial Board, are the legislatures in Philippine provinces. They are the legislative branches of the provinces, and their powers and responsibilities are defined by the Local Government Code of 1991. Along with the provincial governor, the executive branch of the province, they form the province's government.

The Sangguniang Bayan is the local legislative branch of the municipal governments in the Philippines. It is responsible for passing ordinances and resolutions for the administration of a municipality. Its powers are defined by the Local Government Code, passed by Congress in 1991.

In the Philippines, local government is divided into three levels: provinces and independent cities, component cities and municipalities, and barangays, all of which are collectively known as local government units (LGUs). In some areas, above provinces and independent chartered cities are autonomous regions, such as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Some towns and cities remit their revenue to national government and is returned through the national government through a process called internal revenue allotment. Below barangays in some cities and municipalities are sitios and puroks. All of these, with the exception of sitios and puroks, elect their own executives and legislatures. Sitios and puroks are often but not necessarily led by an elected barangay councilor.

The Zamboanga City Council is Zamboanga City's Sangguniang Panlungsod or local legislature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Philippine local elections</span> Local elections in Philippines

Local elections in the Philippines were held on May 13, 2019. This was conducted together with the 2019 general election for national positions. All elected positions above the barangay (village) level were disputed. The following positions were disputed:

Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in the Philippines were held on October 30, 2023. The elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials already and legally began their terms earlier at noon on January 1, 2023, and thus took office as soon as they were proclaimed to have won their respective positions. The barangay is the smallest administrative division in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor of South Cotabato</span> Local chief executive

The governor of South Cotabato, is the chief executive of the provincial government of South Cotabato.

References

  1. 1 2 "David Wurfel: The Party-list System: Sectoral or National? Success or Failure?". davidwurfel.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "P.D. No. 1296". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2024-09-10.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Executive Order No. 198". lawphil.net. Retrieved 2024-09-10.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  4. Momblan, Gail (2020-02-08). "50 IP reps to join local legislation in 2020". Philippine News Agency . Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  5. 1 2 "Residents urged to run for sectoral posts in first BARMM polls". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-09-10.