Comelec approves Padayon party-list

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the petition of former mayor Vicente Emano for the accreditation of his group as a party-list organization.

A copy of a document sent to this paper by capitol spokesperson Florito “Carlo” Dugaduga showed the Comelec en banc approving the registration and accreditation of the “Ako Padayon Pilipino” or “Ako Padayon” as a party-list group.

Elections Commissioner Luie Tito Guia, who has expressed reservations about the group’s accreditation, told the Gold Star Daily that the Comelec en banc resolution meant that the new party-list group would be able to campaign for congressional seats in this year’s mid-term elections.

The new party-list group has ex-mayor Emano as chairman. The former mayor is the founding leader of the local political party Padayon Pilipino that is the dominant political group in the capitol. The party, which was once the ruling party in Cagayan de Oro, is also fielding candidates in the city against the PDP-Laban.

The document showed that the group submitted the petition as early as April 26 last year, and that the Comelec First Division dismissed it on Oct. 19, 2018.

Ako Padayon appealed the Comelec ruling in a motion for reconsideration on Nov. 22, 2018, assailing the October 2018 decision and asserting that it represents a sector composed of “poor laborers, informal settlers, the elderly, and the indigenous cultural community.”

Ako Padayon invoked Section 7, Rule 1 of Comelec Resolution 9366. The first rule or the filing of petitions for registration enumerated the following requirements:

• constitution and by-laws as an organization seeking registration under the party-list system of representation;

• platform or program of government;

• list of all its officers and members (national, regional, provincial, city/municipal) particularly showing that the majority of its membership and officers belong to the marginalized and underrepresented sector/s it seeks to represent;

• manifestation of intent to participate in the next immediately succeeding national and local elections, and list of at least five nominees;

• articles of incorporation, by-laws and certificate of registration issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission;

• track record summary showing that it represents and seeks to uplift the marginalized and underrepresented sector/s it seeks to represent;

• coalition agreement, if any, and the detailed list of affiliates comprising the coalition, including the signed coalition agreement;

• sworns proof/s of existence in the areas where the organization is claiming representation.

The Comelec only requires a filing fee of P10 thousand and a legal research fee of P100 for each petition.

The Comelec en banc reversed the decision of the Commission’s First Division. Reads part of its decision: “We find the petitioner proved compliance with Section 7(c) Rule 1 of Comelec Resolution No. 9366. Therefore, the Motion for Reconsideration is granted and the Assailed Resoulition reversed.”

It added: “The policy behind allowing the registration of certain sectors, organizations and parties in the party-list system is to enable Filipino citizens belonging to marginalized and underrepresented sectors, organizations and parties, and those who lack well-defined political constituencies but who could contribute to the formulation and enactment of appropriate legislation that will benefit the nation as a whole, to become members of the House of Representatives. The goal is to achieve the broadest possible representation of party, sectoral or group interests in the House of Representatives by enhancing their chances to compete for and win seats in the legislature. Towards this end, the State shall provide the simplest scheme possible to develop and guarantee a full, free and open party system.”

Those who signed the Comelec en banc resolution were Elections chairman  Sheriff Abas and Commissioners Guia, Al Parreño, Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, Socorro Inting, Marlon Casquejo and Antonio Kho Jr. Commissioner Guia signed the document but with this note: “With reservation to client of sector being represented.” (Herbie Gomez)