A group of party-list congressmen in the House of Representatives reminded the public Monday, Feb. 27 on the existence of a "prevailing, binding, and decisive" Supreme Court (SC) ruling that favors party-list groups.

The Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) made this move after Senator Robin Padilla said that he would support the aboltion of the party-list system if the time comes to amend the 1987 Constitution's political provisions.

"The prevailing, binding, decisive interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution and the Party-list System Act is Paglaum v. Comelec (Commission on Elections), G.R. No. 203766 of April 2, 2013," the PCFI said in a statement sent to House reporters.

There is an aggressive push in the House of Representatives toward Charter change (Cha-cha), although the House leadership has said that it would focus on revising the "restrictive" economic provisions of the Constitution.

"Paglaum v. Comelec is inclusive because it upholds the right of party-list organizations who champion the causes of the poor and marginalized and of other sectors whose voices must be heard when Congress formulates laws and sets national policies, programs, and projects," the statement read.

"Being a champion means being IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE SECTORS REPRESENTED AND SUPPORTED," it added, with the emphasis on the words coming from the PCFI.

"Sang-ayon mismo sa karunungan ng mga mahistrado ng Korte Suprema, hindi kailangang dukha ang kinatawan ng isang party-list (A party-list representative need not be poor, based on the wisdom of the Supreme Court magistrates themselves)," the statement read.

"Ang kailangan lamang ay tunay na kinakampeon ng isang party-list nominee ang kapakanan ng mga naaapi at naisasantabi sa lipunan (What's needed is for the party-list nominee to champion the welfare of the oppressed and marginalized in society)," it further read.

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The PCFI, led by its president, AKO-Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, said the SC understood the clear intent and language of the Constitution and the enabling Party-list Act, which is "to make sure other voices are heard, other sectors are seen".

It further described Paglaum v. Comelec as "a landmark, earth-shaking defense of democracy, sovereignty, and inclusion".

"With Paglaum v. Comelec, the made sure, with crystal clear clarity, why and how party-lists must be represented in Congress. We are a society of laws and the is the final arbiter of questions of law within the jurisdiction given by the Constitution to the Court to resolve," the PCFI said.