Comelec rejects Namfrel bid as citizens’ poll arm

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has denied a petition of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) to be accredited as a citizens’ arm, citing the group’s partiality to certain political sectors. In a nine-page resolution promulgated on January 29, the commission en banc junked Namfrel’s petition, saying that it failed to qualify because of the impartiality clause.

“News of partisanship simmers among officers of the organization. Issues that they favor one candidate against the others make a questionable dent in the impartiality of the organization,” the resolution said.

“In the case before us, we could not help but cast doubts [on] Namfrel’s credibility and qualifications,” it added.

The resolution said that Namfrel founding Chairman Jose Concepcion is a known staunch critic of deposed President Joseph Estrada, who will again be running in the May 2010 elections.

It noted that Concepcion was among the most vocal personalities who called for Estrada’s ouster in 2000.

Estrada won as president in the 1998 elections but was later on impeached in 2001 because of corruption, of which he was eventually declared guilty by the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

He, however, was pardoned by President Gloria Arroyo in a move that supposedly restored his civil and political rights, including the right to seek public office again.

The Comelec has ruled that Estrada can run for president in the 2010 elections.

“It would be to his [Estrada] objection when the Comelec would accredit a citizens’ arm to assist in the elections closely associated with a personality who broadcast his distrust toward the candidate,” it said.

The poll body also noted that Namfrel Chairman Jose Cuisia is a known ally of late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino.

The resolution said it would be disadvantageous to the Arroyo administration for it to accredit a citizens’ arm group that is clearly headed by a member of the opposition.

And with Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino 3rd making his bid for president, it added, certain sectors may question Cuisia’s allegiance.

“Cuisia has been openly criticizing the [Arroyo] administration. Would this not be seen as undue bias against the administration bet [in the 2010 polls]?” the resolution said, referring to former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro, the standard-bearer of the ruling party, Lakas-Kampi Christian Muslim Democrats.

The resolution said that the Comelec cannot anymore accredit Namfrel because it had given its nod to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as its citizens’ arm.

PPCRV is headed by former Ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa, a former head of Namfrel.

Telibert Laoc, Namfrel executive director, said that they have not decided whether they will appeal the Comelec ruling. –BERNICE CAMILLE V. BAUZON REPORTER, Manila Times