Comelec asked to maintain disqualification of 35 party-lists

MANILA, Philippines - Poll watchdog Kontra Daya asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday to maintain the disqualification of at least 35 party-list groups whose cases have been reconsidered by the Supreme Court (SC).

In a letter to Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., Kontra Daya said the poll body should stand by its earlier decision to disqualify the groups even if their names are already included in the official ballots.

It said the Comelec should ensure that only qualified groups would join this year’s party-list race despite the status quo ante orders issued by the SC.

It cited the case of Ang Galing Pinoy which was disqualified by the Comelec for failing to prove a track record of programs and advocacy for the sectors of security guards and public utility drivers.

Kontra Daya made the call after Brillantes announced that only 10 of the 39 party-list groups whose cases were remanded to the Comelec by the SC would be disqualified.

In the letter, the group listed the 35 groups as Ang Galing Pinoy,  AKO Bicol Political Party, Association for Righteousness Advocacy on Leadership, Alliance for Rural Concerns, Association of Philippine Electric Cooperatives, 1st Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy, Inc. (1-CARE), 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), Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy(ANAD), Agapay ng Indigenous Peoples Rights Alliance, Inc. (A-IPRA), 1-Bro Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. (1BRO-PGBI), The True Marcos Loyalist (for God, Country and People) Association of the Philippines Inc.(BANTAY);

Agri-Agra na Reporma Para sa Magsasaka ng Pilipinas Movement (AGRI), Philippine Coconut Producers Federation, Inc. (COCOFED), Action Brotherhood for Active Dreamer, Inc. (ABROAD), 1 Guardians Nationalist Philippines, Inc. (1GANAP/GUARDIANS), Atong Paglaum, Inc. (Atong Paglaum), United Movement Against Drugs Foundation (UNIMAD), Blessed Federation of Farmers and Fishermen International, Inc. (A BLESSED Party-List), Aangat Tayo Party-List Party (AT), Kaagapay ng Nagkakaisang Agilang Pilipinong Magsasaka (KAP), Adhikain at Kilusan ng Ordinaryong Tao Para sa Lupa, Pabahay, Hanapbuhay at Kaunlaran (AKO-BAHAY), Abang Lingkod Party-List (ABANG LINGKOD), Firm 24-K Association, Inc. (FIRM 24-K), Alliance of Bicolnon Party (ABP), Green Force for the Environment Sons and Daughters of Mother Earth (GREENFORCE), Ang Agrikultura Natin Isulong (AANI), Bayani Party List (BAYANI), Action League of Indigenous Masses (ALIM), Alliance of Advocates in Mining Advancement for National Progress (AAMA), Social Movement for Active Reform and Transparency (SMART), Butil Farmers Party (BUTIL), Binhi-Partido ng mga Magsasaka Para sa mga Magsasaka (BINHI),1st Kabalikat ng Bayan Ginhawang Sangkatauhan (1st KABAGIS), 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK), Coalition of Senior Citizens in the Philippines, Inc. (SENIOR CITIZENS), and Pasang Masda Nationwide Party (PASANG MASDA).

Bets warned on vote-buying

Bayombong Bishop Ramon Villena warned candidates not to resort to vote-buying and other means of election fraud just to win, saying it is an insult to human dignity.

“Vote-buying does not reflect care and respect for human dignity. In fact, candidates (who) regard the human as a commodity... do not deserve to be voted upon,” Villena said.

His pastoral statement, which was read repeatedly over the Church-run dwRV-Radio Veritas, came amid reports of candidates resorting to last minute buying of votes.

Some bets buy votes in various ways, like giving packs of groceries, liquor with pangpulutan, and distributing cash as well as organizing seminars and afterwards giving money to participants, the bishop said.

“A ballot is sacred. Any candidate who buys votes violates the sanctity of the ballot. And so he is committing a crime against the society,” said Villena, a senior member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and former co-chairman of the Bishops-Businessmen Conference.

He advised the electorate to “never insinuate that you want money or something from candidates.”

Villena, whose diocese covers the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino, also advised voters to scrutinize their candidates if they reflect the qualities of good leaders.

“We need leaders who are God-fearing, people-oriented, family-oriented, promoters of life and protectors of the environment,” he stressed.

Villena, also the former chairman of the Cagayan Valley regional development council, called on the public to again seize the opportunity to exercise their right of suffrage.

“We must cast our votes wisely, freely and courageously. Let us seize this opportunity for evangelization in our country,” he said.

Catholic vote

Anti-Reproductive Health (RH) group White Vote Movement is banking on the Catholic vote to boost the chances of their 10 chosen senatorial bets.

Ed Malay, one of the convenors of the movement, said with the country’s 80 percent Catholic population, they intend to tap families and mobilize them into a voting bloc consistent with the teachings of faith to back their candidates.

The group endorsed senatorial candidates Nancy Binay, Richard Gordon, Miguel Zubiri, Ang Kapatiran’s Marwil Llasos, re-electionists Koko Pimentel and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, re-electionist Sen. Gringo Honasan, and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay.

“We believe that they could represent our ideals of protecting family and life,” Malay said.

But even after the May 2013 midterm elections, he said the   movement’s presence would still be felt.

“It’s going to be an advocate for value issues like death bills – abortion, divorce, euthanasia, and same-sex marriage. The White Vote Movement will be there to oppose any of these bills,” Malay said.

From active involvement in politics, he said the group’s ideals would transcend into an advocacy.

“We are working to educate voters. We will explain the relationship of politics, poverty, and economic situation for them to be aware of issues and get involved.”

Malay admitted that educating voters would take some time but his group hopes to start soon. – Sheila Crisostomo, Charlie Lagasca, Jennifer Rendon