Comelec urged to release information on party-list groups

An election watchdog yesterday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to immediately release pertinent information on the partylist organizations that filed their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) for the May 2019 midterm elections.

In a statement, Kontra Daya said while the Comelec is expected to begin posting the tentative list of candidates on Nov. 5 as provided for in Resolution No. 10429 promulgated last Oct. 1, it is important for the public to screen this early the qualifications of the organizations, particularly their list of nominees and programs of action.

“Releasing this information online, for all the world to see and scrutinize, would show Comelec’s adherence to transparency and accountability,” the group said.

Kontra Daya added that doing so would also help bolster Comelec’s commitment in making the elections clean and honest.

“Even if there had been news organizations that have reported on the nominees of some party-list groups, the media, election monitoring groups and the public could benefit from more exhaustive information coming from the Comelec itself, particularly if readily accessible from its website,” Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao said.

Being transparent with information on party-list groups, according to Kontra Daya, is consistent with enhancing the 2019 elections, a promise that was made by Sheriff Abas when he was confirmed by the Commission on Appointments as Comelec chairman last May 23.

A total of 185 party-list have filed CONA to participate in next year’s elections. Each of them submitted at least five names of nominees.

Kontra Daya has been advocating against the use of the party-list system by the rich and the powerful, at the expense of the marginalized sectors for whom the law was made.

National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections secretary general Eric Alvia said the party-list system has already been “bastardized” by people who wanted to enter Congress through the back door.

In an earlier interview, he said that the list of nominees are dominated by people from affluent and influential families, and those who have retired from government, including the police and the military.

Alvia added that the public should be vigilant against party-list groups that allow themselves to be used for purposes other than serving marginalized Filipinos.

Amendment

Meanwhile, Gabriela party-list Rep. Emmi de Jesus yesterday welcomed Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon’s statement seeking an amendment to Republic Act 7941 or the Party-list System Act to prevent politicians from taking advantage of positions that should belong to marginalized sectors.

De Jesus said it is about time that a review be done as political dynasties have used the party-list system to keep themselves in power.

She lamented the poor and marginalized sectors of society have been sidelined by politicians who have created their own party-list groups.

“The marginalized have been eased out of Congress,” she said in a news forum at the University of the Philippines Hotel in Quezon City.

Guanzon lamented that the intention to provide truly marginalized sectors representation at the House of Representatives has been wasted by politicians who are using the partylist system to be able to run for elective posts after their terms have expired.

It also has become an option for other members of political clans to run in the elections.

“People elect them. The Comelec cannot say, ‘Do not elect these party-list groups,’” she said.

Of the 46 party-list groups in the lower house, De Jesus noted that only less than half truly represent marginalized sectors.

“It’s an injustice to our countrymen because these politicians are earning salaries,” she said.

Former Bayan Muna party-list representative and senatorial aspirant Neri Colmenares said these types of party-list representatives can easily be intimidated by the administration on several issues.

He cited his experience where only a few members from party-list groups supported his bill to increase the pension for Social Security System members.

“I even had more supporters from district congressmen,” Colmenares said at the same forum.

Asked how he felt about working in the Lower House with these type of politicians, Colmenares said he had to adjust.

“Otherwise, you feel like hell going to work every day,” he said.