Comelec purges 10 more

MANILA, Philippines - Ten more party-list groups have been barred from joining the May 2013 polls. Of the 10, two were stripped of their accreditation and eight were denied their bid to secure one.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced yesterday the de-listing of accredited groups Abot-Tanaw, whose nominees include former special prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio; and Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamers Inc. (Abroad).

Denied accreditation were Guardian, Hukbong Querubin Humanitarian Team Inc., whose top nominee is Jose Martin Loon, a stepson of former Marine colonel Ariel Querubin; Ikaw ang Laging Wagi ng Bayan Inc. (ILAW), Samahang Ilocanong Magsasaka, Angat Ahon Magsasaka, Guardians of Orphans and Disabled (GOOD), Una Edukasyon, and Courage Government Employees Party-list (Courage).

But as more party-list groups lost their accreditation, four more regained theirs, courtesy of the Supreme Court. The SC released yesterday its status quo ante order (SQA) temporarily stopping the Comelec from implementing its decision to disqualify several groups.

The four others are Aksyon Magsasaka-Partido Tinig ng Masa (AKMA-PTM), Kapatiran ng mga Nakulong na Walang Sala Inc. (KAKUSA), Alliance for Rural and Agrarian Reconstruction Inc. (ARARO), and Association for Righteousness Advocacy on Leadership (ARAL).

The Comelec’s latest purge brought to 79 the total number of party-list groups barred from running in next year’s elections. Of the 79, 47 had their accreditation canceled; 32 were rejected applications.

In an ambush interview, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes said that they have already approved the application for accreditation of Ang NARS.

Comelec records showed that Ang NARS nominees are Leah Primitiva Paquiz, Lydia Arco Palaypay, Chris Gonzales Sorongon, Caridad Moncal Galban and Anna Marie Kapunan.

“All of their nominees are professionals and they are marginalized. Many of them are jobless while some still need to make sacrifices and go abroad,” Brillantes said.

Also allowed to join the 2013 elections is Pilipino With Disabilities (PWD). Its nominees are Michael Barredo, Manuel Agcaoili, Adeline Ancheta, Octavio San Agustin Gonzales and Luis Arellano.

Brillantes also said the Comelec had already voted on the Akbayan party-list group issue but he declined to divulge the decision pending a resolution. “We just voted on it but I am not going to discuss the details. We already have a majority but I am not announcing what is our decision,” he added.

Akbayan is facing a disqualification case filed by poll watchdog Kontra Daya which argued that many of the party-list group members are occupying high positions in the Aquino administration, and thus are not marginalized.

Among them are Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Ronald Llamas and Commission on Human Rights Chairman Loretta Ann Rosales. Former representative Risa Hontiveros is now running for senator under the Malacañang-backed Liberal Party coalition.

Relief from SC

A one-page notice signed by SC clerk of court lawyer Enriqueta Vidal showed that Ako Bicol (AKB), Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives (APEC), 1st Consumer’s Alliance for Rural Energy Inc. (1CARE) and Alliance for Rural Concerns (ARC) have been granted their petition to keep their accreditation.

Also covered were AKMA-PTM, KAKUSA, ARARO and ARAL.

“Effective immediately and continuing until further orders from this Court, petitioners and respondent, your agents, representatives, or persons acting in your place or stead, are hereby required to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the assailed Comelec resolutions dated October 10, October 11, October 16, and October 24,

without prejudice to the final ruling of this court on the merits,” read the order.

The SC order also confirmed that the petitions of the party-list groups have been consolidated and the poll body has been directed to submit a comment in 10 days from receipt of notice.

The SQA means the poll body should include the four disqualified groups in its list of party-list groups set to be finalized next month. Their names are to be included in ballots to be printed starting Jan. 20 pending resolution of their petitions.

It however does not mean that petitioners have already won their case and may already join the May 2013 elections since the high court has yet to rule on the merits of their petitions after deliberation.

The Comelec is set to finalize next month the list of candidates whose names would be included in ballots starting Jan. 20, 2013.

The high court has three more weeks in session before it goes on a lengthy Christmas and New Year holiday break from Dec. 12 to Jan. 9 next year. When in recess, the high court usually does not act on petitions and pleadings – unless they warrant urgent action.

“I just hope that SC can come out with a decision before it goes on recess,” Brillantes said.

In the event of a ruling favorable to Comelec, the poll body may simply ignore the disqualified groups even if their names are already in the ballots.

“All we have to do is not to count the votes cast for disqualified groups. That’s what we can do,” he said.

Petitioners accused Comelec of grave abuse of discretion by reportedly imposing new definition of “marginalized and underrepresented sectors” and by ignoring earlier rulings of the high court that upheld their qualifications as party-list groups. They argued the poll body had no jurisdiction over the issue

Sen. Francis Escudero said he welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court.

“I am in agreement with the status quo ante order issued by the Supreme Court. Party-list groups should not be deprived of their right to participate in the 2013 elections until the matter is resolved with finality,” Escudero said.

“The party-list system is part of our political infrastructure. It is enshrined in our Constitution no less. At the very least, the issue should be treated with the utmost diligence and assiduousness,” he added. With Edu Punay, Marvin Sy