Comelec affirms delisting of An Waray

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has upheld a previous ruling canceling the registration of An Waray as a party-list organization.

In a 10-page resolution, the commission en banc affirmed the Second Division’s resolution revoking An Waray’s registration.

The Comelec has denied the group’s motion for reconsideration for lack of merit.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said An Waray has 30 days to appeal the ruling before the Supreme Court.

According to the poll body, the group failed to present compelling reasons to warrant the reversal of the Second Division’s resolution.

The Comelec said the petition filed against An Wary offered substantial evidence establishing that the group had violated electoral laws.

These rules related to the action in which An Waray had allowed its second nominee, Victoria Isabel Noel, to assume its one seat in the House of Representatives during the 16th Congress.

Noel assumed the post of a lawmaker without a certificate of proclamation issued by the poll body, according to the Comelec.

“In the case under consideration, it is an undisputed fact that there was no certificate of proclamation issued to An Waray, entitling Noel to sit as a representative in the House of Representatives,” the Comelec decision read.