Party-list groups beat deadline

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 185 party-list organizations have beaten the Friday midnight deadline imposed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to identify their nominees.

Among the personalities being fielded as nominees for party-list representation are former Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes of 1-Utak, with former Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board member Vigor Mendoza as second nominee.

Former police general Romeo Maganto, who was disqualified by the Comelec from the senatorial race, was named as primary nominee

of Sagip, while Bantay party-list has chosen Ma. Evangelina Palparan, wife of Rep. Jovito Palparan who is now running for senator.

Energy Undersecretary Zamzamin Ampatuan was named first nominee of the Adhikain ng mga Dakilang Anak Maharlika (ANAK) party-list group.

Meanwhile, the Gabriela party-list group slammed the Comelec for allowing spurious party-list organizations to participate in the May 10 elections.

“Fake party-list con marginalized sectors and deny the underrepresented the opportunity to advance their legitimate issues in the legislature,” Gabriela said in a statement.

Gabriela expressed concern over some party-list organizations being put up to neutralize legitimate issues being represented in Congress.

Gabriela identified one such group as Babae Ka, which, they alleged, has the full support of Malacañang.

They cited reports that Babae Ka representatives are campaigning in Tondo, Manila using a government vehicle.

“If it is proven that Babae Ka is indeed using government resources for its campaign, then the Comelec should immediately move to disqualify it,” the group said.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also called on the Comelec to disqualify “spurious nominees.”

Bayan said the Comelec should be blamed for allowing the party-list system to be taken advantage of by big political interests.

Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes pointed out the nomination of several allies of President Arroyo in the party-list elections, including her son, outgoing Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, principal nominee of Ang Galing Pinoy, the party-list group supposedly representing the marginalized sector of security guards.

Reyes also named another Arroyo ally in the party-list nominees as Daryl Grace Abayon, of AAngat Tayo. Abayon is the wife of Northern Samar Rep. Harlin Abayon of Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

The Association of Labor and Employees (ALE) has Pampanga provincial board member Catalina Bagasina as principal nominee and Erlinda de Leon as secondary nominee.

Reyes said Bagasina is a known ally of Mrs. Arroyo while De Leon works as special assistant to the President in Malacañang.

Kabayan, on the other hand, has Ron Salo, an undersecretary at the Office of the Executive Secretary, among its nominees.

“(Mrs.) Arroyo’s influence over the House of Representatives will come not just from the congressional districts but also from the party-list seats that her allies are trying to secure. The party-list system is another flank by which Arroyo would try to gain control of the House,” Reyes said.

Bayan said there are family members in one or more party-list groups.

“We have seen a husband and wife running under one party-list group or different party-list groups. We have a father and son running under one party-list group. Perhaps some vested interests see the party-list system as a means of concentrating political power in the hands of a few. It would be tragic if they will use the party-list system to plant the seeds of a political dynasty of sorts,” Reyes said.

Bayan revealed Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA) party-list has Sheryl Genuino-See as its first nominee while her husband Gerwyn See is the first nominee of Abot Tanaw. BIDA was reportedly founded by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Efraim Genuino.

The Anak party-list group named former police Senior Superintendent Eduardo Octaviano Jr. and the so-called “Euro general” Eliseo de la Paz as its first two nominees.

The APOI party-list group, on the other hand, has retired Maj. Gen. Melchor Rosales, administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, as its nominee while Araro nominee is former Central Luzon police director Superintendent Quirino de la Torre.

The 1st Kabagis party-list, on the other hand, named Jose Singson Jr., brother of National Security Deputy Adviser Luis “Chavit” Singson, as nominee.

Bayan criticized the Comelec for charging P5,000 as filing fee for every petition for disqualification.

“So if you want to disqualify all five of Ang Galing Pinoy’s questionable nominees, you have to spend some P25,000 in fees. This is ridiculous. Why charge petitioners so much when the whole mess is the fault of the Comelec?” they said. –Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star) with Michael Punongbayan