Comelec on abolishing party-list system: It's within Congress' jurisdiction

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 13) — President Rodrigo Duterte's recommendation to abolish the country's party-list system is "within the wisdom and jurisdiction" of Congress, the Commission on Elections emphasized Friday.

"First and foremost, our Constitutional mandate is to enforce and administer all election laws. For as long as there is an election law providing for this thing, the partylist system, we will comply with that," said Comelec acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco in a briefing.

In his latest Cabinet meeting, Duterte advised his successor to formally put an end to the party-list system — which he accused is being used by those who "wish to destroy" the government they're in.

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Previously, he also criticized how the elite allegedly use the system to get into the House of Representatives. Election watchdog Kontra Daya likewise found that 70% of present party-lists are either backed by political clans or big businesses. 

ACT-CIS currently leads the party-list race in the near-complete unofficial results.