As Filipinos commemorate the anniversary of the party-list system, it’s like celebrating a birthday of a once-beloved friend who has now turned into a scheming, self-serving foe.

What was meant to be a beacon of hope for marginalized communities has morphed into a breeding ground for political opportunists and their personal agendas. The party-list system, once hailed as a champion of the underrepresented, now resembles a dysfunctional reality show where the contestants vie not for the betterment of society but for their own egotistical gains. 

With each passing year, the system’s original noble intentions fade further into obscurity, overshadowed by the stench of corruption and cronyism. 

As the clamor to scrap the law grows louder, one can’t help but wonder if it’s time to throw this failed experiment into the dustbin of history and start anew. After all, birthdays are meant to be celebrations, not reminders of betrayal and disillusionment.