30 party-list groups face petition for disqualification

MANILA, Philippines - A poll watchdog group yesterday filed a petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) seeking the disqualification of almost 30 party-list organizations from participating in the May 2013 mid-term elections.

Kontra Daya sought the cancellation of the registration of Rep. Mikey Arroyo’s Ang Galing Pinoy and the Kapatiran ng mga Nakakulong na Walang Sala (KAKUSA) as accredited party-list groups.

“Mikey Arroyo as party-list representative has made a mockery of the party-list system and has encouraged other politicians, dynasties, big business and other interest groups to take advantage of the system that is supposedly reserved for the truly marginalized and underrepresented sectors of our society,” said Kontra Daya convenor Fr. Joe Dizon.

Contrary to their claim that they represent the marginalized and underrepresented security guards, drivers and other poor sectors, Dizon said AG is a clear case of a party-list for sale.

The AG party-list faced disqualification petitions in the past but still managed to participate in the May 2010 elections and even won a seat in Congress. The group is among the 289 organizations that have manifested their intention to participate in the next elections.

Aside from the disqualification of AG, Kontra Daya also opposed the nomination of AG’s first two nominees, Charlie Chua and Eder Dizon.

“The guideline requires that the nominee must belong to the marginalized sector (such as security guards and unorganized groups of taxi, FX taxi, jeepney and bus drivers in this case) and marginalized organization and party (in this case Ang Galing Pinoy). However, none of AG’s nominees qualify under these standards,” said the group.

They alleged that Chua is a senior partner of Chua and Munsayac Law Firm, a member of Sangguniang Bayan of Lubao, Pampanga and an alleged right-hand man of Mayor Dennis Pineda of Lubao, Pampanga.

Dizon, on the other hand, is a cosmetic surgeon, a businessman in Pampanga and the president and owner of Suncove Corp. in Pampanga, which is a franchise holder of small town lottery that is a legalized version of the illegal numbers game jueteng.

Aside from the AG party-list, Kontra Daya also asked the commission to take note of the party-list groups with questionable qualifications either as a group or their nominees.

Even without a formal petition, Kontra Daya said the poll body has the power to deny due course to a petition for registration or to cancel the registration of any party-list group or coalition.

Other groups facing disqualification are Agrarian Development Association, Alliance of Organizations, Networks and Associations of the Philippines, Inc., Kabalikat ng Bayan sa Kaunlara, Ilaw Ng Bayan, Ang Mata’y Alagaan, AA KASOSYO, AAMBIS OWWA, AKO Karay-A, Alliance of Mindanao Elders, Abante Retirees Partylist Organization, Ako Ang Batang Sora, Alay Buhay Community Development Foundation, Inc.,1Pinoy Para sa Kalikasan, Inc., Alliance for Reforms Towards Effective Management and Sustainable Development, Agbiag!, Timpuyog Ilocano, Baong Henerasyon, Ako Bisaya Political Party and Abyan Ilonggo.

Also questioned for having rich and powerful nominees are Aksyon Magsasaka-PartidoTinig ng Masa, Movement of Women for Change and Reform, Abang Lingkod, Ang Kasangga, and Association of Labor and Employees.

For being a government-backed group, Kontra Daya asked that the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy be disallowed to run next year.