S.B. No. 2432

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER AND DATE OF ELECTION OF SECTORAL REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOCAL LEGISTATIVE COUNCILS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

More than fifteen (15) years had passed since the enactment of the local government code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160). Until now, however, a very significant component of our local government system, which is mandated by both constitution and local government code, has not been implemented. Until today, year 2002, there are no sectoral representatives in the local legislative bodies.

Together with the mandate for the enactment of a new local government code which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable local government structure, the 1987 Constitution provides in section 9, article X that “Legislative bodies of local governments shall have sectoral representation as may be prescribed by law.” This complements two other important provisions of the Constitution on the role of people’s organizations in governance.

Section 15, Article XIII: The State shall respect the role of independent people’s organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their legislative and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.

Section 16, Article XIII: The right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, economic decision-making shall not be abridged. The State shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate consultation mechanisms.

The 1987 Constitution was considered a giant step forward for the Filipino because of the many landmark measures is the idea of true representation which includes those which come from society’s different sectors.

The passage of the Local Government Code of 1991 tried to remove some of the vagueness which were produced by the Constitution’s provisions regarding sectoral representation which were not self-executing.

Cognizant of the people’s right to have a voice in policy-making bodies such as the sangguniang pambayan, this bill seeks to implement a constitutional mandate by providing an enabling law that will pave the way for the conduct of elections for local sectoral representatives.

home   |   committess & legislation   |