Theoretically, the party-list system was put in place by the Constitution to promote multi-party participation in our legislative branch of government. Before the era of Martial Law, I think there were only 2 political parties: (i) the Nacionalista Party; and (ii) the Liberal Party both of which dominated local and national politics. With a party-list system, certain marginalized sectors of society who are not duly "represented" (i.e. urban poor, the disabled, farmers) in Congress can now participate in legislation --- specifically for their interests.

With due respect to Yebo, hindi lahat ng party-list ay representative of the urban poor or masa. Just take a look at the Buhay Party List of Eddie Villanueva and that of Akbayan. None of their representatives belong to the "masa". They just make noise and sound like they do.