Mary Charlen Joy P.

Suedad
LLB I
I-Viada

Christian Ethics
Reaction Paper
September 3, 2008
Progressive Legislation
( A Reaction Paper)

Last weeks lecture on Progressive Legislation by Hon. Luzviminda Ilagan was like a
review of our Constitutional Law I subject. Only that the information presented were based on a
firsthand experience. We had a glimpse of how the Congress works, the system, the good side
and the not-so-good face of the legislative body.
The lecture was introduced through the presentation of the legislative process which is a
very long process. It is easy if you are to read it but very tedious if you are to hear it from an
experienced person. The components of Congress were also discussed Senate, House of
Representatives and Party representatives. A statistics was shown as to the percentage of
representation of Mindanao. Ideally, the number of representatives from the three major islands
of the Philippines shall be proportionate to its geographic and demographic population.
However, in reality, it is impossible to happen.
An argument was raised in relation to party-list representation which involves the two
rules in computing the seats that a party-list may occupy. The latest computation being used
today is wherein the basis for the computation is that of the party-list garnering the highest vote.
This system would result to lesser party representatives that may have a seat in the Congress.
During elections, there are so many party-lists vying for a seat or seats in Congress. These partylists who represent the minority or marginalized sector of the country are having small chances
of serving their cause. The minority, which literally shall mean having the smaller part of the
entire population, is in reality, composes more than one-third of the entire population. If there
will be lesser number of seats, the voice of the minority will decrease.
Party-list representatives play a vital role in progressive legislation. They serve as a
mediator between the congress people and the marginalized sectors. Progressive legislation, as
the lecture had presented, favors special, economic and political reforms that advance the need of
the poor and marginalized groups. It addresses the gap between the rich and poor. It addresses
the special needs of women, children, Indigenous Peoples, physically challenged and other
marginalized sectors. Party-lists are specific in their rationale and objectives which are needed if
you are to serve a large population. The populace is composed of various groups that are difficult
to administer if there will be no smaller group that will represent them.
Progressive legislation is an ideal system of making the laws that shall govern the land.
Sad to say, it is not what is really happening in Congress. Most of the bills being passed are those
that are not that important for the development of mankind and society. Progressive legislative
may sound too ambitious but it can sustain its existence because of its unselfish purpose which is
for the common good.