BEWARE: Party-list System or Political Playground? A Closer Look at the 2025 Party-list Preferences

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The 2025 elections are fast approaching, and as always, the party-list race is heating up. Based on the latest OCTA Research survey conducted from March 18 to 24, 2025, the top contenders in the party-list system have been revealed. Topping the list are:

ACT-CIS – 8.70% (3 seats)

Tingog – 5.77% (3 seats)

4Ps – 5.40% (3 seats)

Ako Bicol – 4.20% (3 seats)

Senior Citizen – 3.70% (2 seats)

GP (Galing sa Puso) – 3.14% (2 seats)

Duterte Youth – 2.87% (2 seats)

TUPAD – 2.36% (2 seats)

Malasakit@Bayanihan – 2.33% (2 seats)

Ang Probinsyano – 2.12% (2 seats)

FPJ Panday Bayanihan – 2.03% (2 seats)

On the surface, these numbers reflect the people's choice — but are they really?

Party-lists: For the Marginalized or for the Mighty?

The 1987 Constitution envisioned the party-list system as a means to give a voice to marginalized sectors of society — the fisherfolk, the farmers, the indigenous peoples, the urban poor. But somewhere along the way, the spirit of this noble intention has been hijacked.

Let’s break down the backgrounds and personalities behind each of the Top 11 Party-lists featured in the recent 2025 OCTA survey, and take a closer look at whether they genuinely represent the marginalized sectors, or if they are extensions of political dynasties, business interests, or power plays:

1. ACT-CIS (8.70%) – 3 Seats

Background: Associated with the Tulfo family, specifically Erwin and Raffy Tulfo. Also backed by Rep. Eric Yap, a former ally of then-President Duterte.

ACT-CIS, consistently leading in surveys and actual elections, is backed by the powerful Tulfo brothers, media personalities-turned-political juggernauts. Alongside them is Jocelyn Tulfo, wife of Raffy Tulfo and sister-in-law of Erwin. Another known affiliate is Congressman Eric Yap, tied to another prominent political name. Is this a representation of the underprivileged — or a consolidation of media influence and political clout?

Controversy: Known for riding on their massive media presence and connections to national figures.

Question: Are they true champions of the marginalized, or simply using media clout to stay in power?

2. TINGOG (5.77%) – 3 Seats

Background: Strongly affiliated with the Romualdez family, particularly House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Bongbong Marcos.

Even Tingog, rising fast in the rankings, is closely linked to the Romualdez family, relatives of President Bongbong Marcos and a long-standing political powerhouse in Leyte.

Controversy: Critics argue it serves as a political vehicle for the family rather than Eastern Visayas’ underrepresented.

Question: Tingog means "voice" — but whose voice are they really amplifying?

3. 4PS (5.40%) – 3 Seats

Background: Named after the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), it is reportedly supported by the Abalos dynasty from Mandaluyong.

4Ps, supposedly named after the government's Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program for the poor, is associated with the Abalos dynasty — a family already wielding considerable power in national and local politics. If you're wondering how a social welfare initiative was turned into a political campaign, you're not alone.

Controversy: Accused of using the 4Ps name to gain votes by misleading poor families into thinking it is part of the government aid program.

Question: Are they helping the poor or exploiting their dependency?

4. AKO BICOL (4.20%) – 3 Seats

Background: Tied to powerful business groups in the Bicol Region and the Co family.

Controversy: Critics say it’s a regional party-list serving elite interests under the guise of regional advocacy.

Question: Is it truly grassroots Bicolano representation or just regional branding for the rich?

5. SENIOR CITIZEN (3.70%) – 2 Seats

Background: Purports to represent elderly citizens. Had representation issues in the past and internal disputes.

Controversy: Historically, this party-list was disqualified and reinstated due to internal wrangling and alleged manipulation of senior citizens' support.

Question: Are they actively protecting seniors' welfare or merely capitalizing on a vulnerable demographic?

6. GP (GALING SA PUSO) (3.14%) – 2 Seats

Background: Linked to former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno and other local political figures.

Controversy: Critics say its messaging is vague and rooted in emotional branding more than tangible sectoral advocacy.

Question: Is this from the heart — or just a soft slogan masking old politics?

7. DUTERTE YOUTH (2.87%) – 2 Seats

Background: Headed by Ronald Cardema, staunch Duterte supporter, and known for extreme pro-government stances.

Duterte Youth is another eyebrow-raiser. Its name alone capitalizes on the legacy of the former President Rodrigo Duterte, and its leader, Ronald Cardema, has been marred by controversy — from age eligibility issues to accusations of Red-tagging.

Controversy: Disqualified in 2019 due to Cardema's age and accusations of Red-tagging, militarism, and fascism.

Question: Does it serve the youth or echo authoritarian ideologies?

8. TUPAD (2.36%) – 2 Seats

Background: Its name resembles the government’s emergency employment program (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers), often mistaken as a government initiative.

Controversy: Potentially misleading to voters who associate it with DOLE’s TUPAD.

Question: Is it a party-list or a ploy to confuse?

9. MALASAKIT@BAYANIHAN (2.33%) – 2 Seats

Background: Connected with the Malasakit Centers launched during Senator Bong Go’s term. Likely affiliated with Duterte-allied politicians.

Controversy: "Malasakit" branding has been criticized as a tool for perpetuating patronage politics.

Question: Is it institutionalized charity, or institutionalized campaigning?

10. ANG PROBINSYANO (2.12%) – 2 Seats

Background: Tied to political figures with a strong media angle, including possible links to the FPJ legacy and provincial actors.

Controversy: Questions persist about how much they really advocate for provincial development vs. using the brand's emotional appeal.

Question: A defender of the provinces or just another actor in the political drama?

11. FPJ PANDAY BAYANIHAN (2.03%) – 2 Seats

Background: Banking on the late Fernando Poe Jr.'s legacy. Often associated with supporters or relatives of FPJ.

Controversy: Riding the nostalgia of a beloved national figure, but lacking in clear marginalized representation.

Question: Is this cultural hero worship turned into political maneuvering?

Final Thoughts

What do these facts tell us?

Instead of representing the laborer, the fisherfolk, the teacher, the indigenous, or the urban poor, many of today’s top party-lists appear to be:

Fronts for traditional political dynasties

Branding plays using government programs or celebrity names

Vehicles for well-funded campaigns and national influence

The party-list system was never meant to be a playground for powerful families and personalities. It was meant to level the playing field. But now, it’s largely become another avenue for political recycling and dynasty expansion.

Let us not forget: Representation is not a right reserved for the rich and famous. It is a sacred duty for those who truly know the struggles of the marginalized.

Vote not for the loudest voice or the flashiest brand — but for the truest cause.

Only then can we reclaim democracy’s promise.

A System Under Siege

When billionaires, political dynasties, and celebrity-backed candidates dominate the party-list race, what chance does a genuine marginalized group have? Indigenous peoples’ groups, farmers’ alliances, labor unions, and transport cooperatives often lack the money, machinery, and media mileage to compete.

And yet the Constitution never intended for this system to be a backdoor for traditional politicians. Sadly, the party-list system has now become a fallback for dynasties that cannot run under district seats — a “Plan B” for those desperate to hold power.

Wake Up, Pilipinas!

This is a clarion call to all voters: BEWARE! Don’t be dazzled by familiar names, catchy slogans, or empty promises. Ask the hard questions: Who are they really representing? What laws have they authored that uplift the truly marginalized? Are they grassroots in essence, or simply grassroots in disguise?

The 2025 party-list preference survey is not just a list — it is a reflection of how distorted our democracy has become.

We need to fight to bring back the true spirit of the party-list system: representation for the underrepresented, a voice for the voiceless, power for the powerless.

As the founder of Wazzup Pilipinas, I urge the electorate: Dig deeper. Question boldly. Vote wisely. Because in the end, the marginalized don’t need more opportunists — they need champions.

Let’s not allow this system to be their playground any longer.

This exposé is a civic call from the Wazzup Pilipinas founder, Ross Flores Del Rosario. Follow us for more fearless, factual, and fair content.

Who Needs a Government Seat? The Power of Advocacy and NGOs to Create Real Change Without a Political Campaign

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a country where politics is often seen as the primary pathway to change, many believe that the only way to make a lasting impact is to run for public office. The assumption is that only those in power have the tools, resources, and influence to transform society. But let us challenge that narrative—let us dismantle the notion that government positions are the be-all and end-all of social change.

It is time we realize that power doesn’t always wear a barong or take an oath at a podium. Sometimes, it wears a volunteer's shirt, carries a placard, or leads a community event. Sometimes, it publishes stories, organizes environmental workshops, or runs a feeding program in a far-flung barangay.

The Myth of Political Monopoly on Change

The recent barrage of headlines underscores the fatigue and disillusionment many Filipinos feel toward traditional politics. Corruption, nepotism, red tape, political dynasties, and performative governance dominate our news feeds. Even the most promising leaders are often mired in bureaucratic stagnation or political infighting, stifling the very reforms they once promised.

Running for government, for all its idealism, is not always a ticket to transformation. It often comes with a compromise—playing politics, negotiating principles, and toeing the party line. For many changemakers, that’s a price too high to pay.

Beyond Ballots: The Rise of Civil Society Power

Non-government organizations (NGOs) and advocacy groups are proving, time and again, that you don’t need to hold a government title to wield influence. In fact, their independence from political machinery often allows them greater freedom, agility, and authenticity.

Look at the rise of environmental groups pushing for clean energy and sustainability—groups like Bayanihan Para Sa Kalikasan Movement Inc., led by Engineer Eric Raymundo, or initiatives championed by Green Party of the Philippines leaders. Their campaigns have shaped environmental policy, influenced local ordinances, and inspired communities to take up the mantle of ecological responsibility—without any of them sitting in Congress.

Or consider media and information platforms like Wazzup Pilipinas, which not only informs but inspires. Through storytelling and fearless reporting, it reaches policymakers, stirs public discourse, and moves mountains—all without a single vote cast in its name.

Grassroots: Where Real Change Brews

The most powerful revolutions didn’t begin in parliaments—they began in communities. Through influencer tours in Rizal, heritage promotions in Cavite, and environmental education workshops like UMALOHOKAN: Para sa Kaalaman, Kalikasan, at Kinabukasan in Taguig, advocates are already transforming mindsets, inspiring action, and mobilizing the public.

The beauty of NGOs lies in their proximity to the people. They are not separated by ivory towers or security details—they are on the ground, in the mud, in the middle of real stories. They teach, they build, they plant, they heal. That’s real governance—unrecognized by law maybe, but felt deeply by the people.

The Validation from the International Stage

The recognition of Wazzup Pilipinas at the Vietnam International Achievers Awards as the Most Outstanding Community Blog for 2024 is proof that advocacy work, media influence, and grassroots impact are celebrated globally. You don’t need to be a senator to be heard—you just need to stand with the truth, and the world listens.

Cutting Through the Red Tape

When you run a nonprofit or an advocacy group, the approval of a committee isn’t necessary for every project. You don’t need to wait for a budget to be passed or a political rival to agree. You simply act. Feed a community. Clean a river. Launch an education drive. Train the youth. Empower women. Challenge a status quo. These are all possible without a single political endorsement.

The Future is Community-Driven, Not Politically-Owned

We need more doers and fewer campaigners. We need more passionate advocates and fewer publicity-hungry politicos. It’s time we redefine what “public service” means—it’s not limited to government. It is every action that uplifts the lives of others. And that can happen in classrooms, in barangay halls, on social media platforms, and in community kitchens—just as much, if not more, than it does in the Senate.

So, why not run for public office?

Because we already run things that matter.

Because we don’t need a title to validate our mission.

Because advocacy is not the alternative to politics—it’s the answer to its many failures.

Because change starts not with a position, but with purpose.

And purpose? That’s something no election can give you—but it’s something every advocate already carries.

So, no, you don’t need to run for office to lead a revolution. Just stand for something, work with others, and show up every single day. That is more than enough to change a country.

From Trash to Treasure: The Earth Day Mission of Tingloy Island’s Waste Warriors

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

This Earth Day 2025, a quiet revolution is unfolding on a remote island off Batangas — one that may just be the blueprint for turning the tide against one of humanity’s dirtiest secrets: plastic pollution.

The Philippines’ Plastic Problem

The Philippines, celebrated for its breathtaking coastlines and coral reefs, is tragically one of the world’s largest contributors to marine plastic waste. Our oceans are choking with sachets, bottles, and diapers—most of which will never biodegrade. Instead, they fragment into microplastics, infiltrating marine life and eventually our own bodies.

But amidst this growing threat, heroes are rising—not clad in capes, but armed with scissors, eco-bags, and unwavering resolve. And at the forefront of this grassroots environmental resistance is Pure Oceans, a marine conservation social enterprise transforming Tingloy Island into a living model of sustainability.

A Janitor’s Mission Beyond Retirement

Before the sun even dares to rise, 67-year-old Guillermo “Willie” Mandanas is already scouring the streets of Barangay Santo Tomas in Tingloy. With a laugh and a twinkle in his eye, he confesses, “Sometimes I even sneak in a little Downy so the trash smells good. My wife rolls her eyes, but it helps.”

A retired janitor with 37 years of service, Mang Willie has found purpose in his twilight years by turning garbage into gold—literally. Through Pure Oceans’ innovative buyback program, he earns PHP20 per kilogram of cleaned, shredded plastic and foil sachets. His meticulous work nets him about PHP1500 monthly, but more than income, it gives him a reason to wake up and fight for the Earth.

“I get to have coffee, watch the news, and save the ocean at the same time,” he grins, gently filling a cardboard box with colorful plastic strips destined to become eco-panels, pillows, or even cement stuffing.

Tingloy: Paradise Under Siege

Tingloy is part of the Verde Island Passage, the global epicenter of marine shorefish biodiversity. It’s a sanctuary for thousands of marine species and a hotspot for divers and beach lovers. But even paradise is not immune.

Despite a population of just 20,000, Tingloy is drowning in garbage — not only from its residents, but from the mainland’s unchecked waste, ferried across the waves by wind and current. With no regular garbage trucks, the trash stays — on beaches, in mangroves, and even on coral reefs.

“Island municipalities are isolated and often overlooked,” explains Pia Roxas Ocampo, founder and CEO of Pure Oceans. “We’re creating local solutions where conventional infrastructure fails.”

From Pollution to Livelihood

Pure Oceans launched in 2018 with a mission to convert waste into opportunity. And on Tingloy, they’ve done just that.

Plastic is reborn as stuffing for pillows, glass is crushed into sand for construction blocks, and even the method of segregation is revolutionized with their signature red mesh sacks — now proudly displayed on porches, shops, and schools.

Youth, elders, and even former school dropouts are finding dignity in work that cleans the planet. Royce Allen Obin, once a tambay, now drives the community’s bangkulong tricycle and manages waste collection routes. “I used to feel lost,” he shares. “Now, I have skills, income, and I’m planning to go back to school. Who knew trash could turn my life around?”

When Gossip Meets Green Living

Aurea Manigbas, a senior citizen, sews pillows packed with recycled plastic. “It helps me buy my medicines. And I can do it all while nagmamaritess kami,” she chuckles, referring to friendly gossip sessions with her neighbors.

The spirit of bayanihan is alive in Tingloy—proof that the Filipino heart, when ignited by purpose, can power real change.

The Vision for a Cleaner Future

Pure Oceans operates on a triple bottom line: people, profit, and planet. It’s a formula designed not just for Tingloy, but for replication across the Philippine archipelago.

“We dream of the day we won’t need to exist,” says Pia. “A day when the tides no longer bring trash, and the oceans heal. But until then, we stand with every Mang Willie, every Royce, every Aurea — showing that small acts, done consistently, can save the sea.”

This Earth Day, Listen to the Islands

As the Earth turns and the sun rises over Tingloy, the snipping of scissors in Mang Willie’s home continues. The world stirs awake, unaware that heroes are already at work. In a world of throwaway culture, they’ve chosen to reclaim and redeem.

This Earth Day, their story is not just about fighting garbage. It’s about hope — woven into every pillow, etched into every sand brick, and whispered by every wave that crashes on a cleaner shore.

Let’s honor their work not just with applause, but with action.

Because the tide can still turn. And it starts with us.