Partylist for Profit: How the Rich Hijacked a System for the Poor

Once designed to amplify the voices of farmers, laborers, and the underrepresented, the Philippine party-list system has now become the ultimate low-risk, high-reward investment for the well-connected. In Partylist for Profit: How the Rich Hijacked a System for the Poor, A.A. Castor peels back the glossy surface of legislative charity to expose the machinery of legalized profiteering, dynastic expansion, and quiet political laundering. With deadpan seriousness and a dose of dark humor, this book walks readers through the insider's playbook of how to build, fund, and quietly control a party-list with as little accountability—and as much profit—as possible. From choosing a vague advocacy ("OFWs" or "transport workers," anyone?) to securing alphabet-friendly names for ballot advantage, to recycling nominees across election cycles and repackaging greed as governance, this is not a how-to—this is a how-it's-done. Perfect for political junkies, aspiring operators, or just disillusioned citizens looking to finally understand why nothing ever changes, Partylist for Profit isn't just a book—it's a public service announcement disguised as satire. Learn how power is bought, maintained, and quietly passed down—not through revolution, but registration. After all, in today's politics, you don't need a platform. You just need a seat.