Comelec stumped as 270 groups seek party-list status

tHE Commission on Elections says it will be stricter in screening all party-list groups before accrediting them to join the 2010 elections, citing a deluge of applications.

At least 270 groups—including one that claims to represent people who make a living from cockfighting—have applied for accreditation as of 3 p.m. yesterday, the last day for doing so.

The Alyansa ng Sabungero said it was seeking representation in Congress to help workers in the cockfighting ring who eke out a “hand-to-mouth” existence. The group is represented by its president, Nid Anima and holds office at the Camella Townhouse in Sucat, Parañaque.

The Comelec clerk who received the application said the group bragged that boxing champion Manny Pacquiao was a member, but said it did not have all the required documents.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said he noticed that most of the party-list groups seeking accreditation did not have a track record, a requisite for accreditation.

He also noted a redundancy in the advocacy of some of the groups.

Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said some groups were abusing the system, and that they would be doubly strict in screening them.

“We have so many [party-list groups] and it’s confusing… ’’ he said.

“How can we write them all down on the ballot to be used for automation? The form would be too long, and the font too small.”

Among the new party-list groups that beat the registration deadline yesterday were Akap-Bata, Kapuso ng Pilipino, Katribo, Partido Lakas ng Masa, Liwanag sa Bilangguan, Gasira, Akbay Kalusugan, Kasama, and Agapay.

In 2007 the Comelec accredited 97 party-list groups but only 22 of them were able to secure seats in Congress after reaching the required number of votes cast.

In April, the Supreme Court increased the number of party-list lawmakers to satisfy a constitutional provision saying they should constitute 20 percent of the total number of representatives.

The Court said that “since the 14th Congress has 220 district representatives, there are 55 seats available to party-list representatives.”

Among the party-list groups who won the last election were Utak, A Teacher, Aangat Tayo, Aba Ako, Abakada Guro, Abono, ABS, Agap, Akbayan, AMIN, An Waray, Anak Pawis, Ang Kasangga, APEC, Banat, Bantay, Bayan Muna, Buhay, Butil, Cibac, Gabriela, Kabataan, TUCP and YACAP.

The party-list system was created by virtue of Republic Act 7941, known as the Party-List System Act, which was enacted in 1995.

The law specifically provides that party-list groups should represent “marginalized and underrepresented sectors” that include laborers, peasants, fisherfolk, the urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, the elderly, the handicapped, women, youth, veterans, overseas workers, and professionals.–Joel E. Zurbano, Manila Stanadard Today