3 more party-list groups proclaimed

The Commission on Elections has affirmed the victory of three more party-list groups in the May 10 elections.

In a resolution, the Comelec sitting as the National Board of Canvassers proclaimed 1-United Transport Koalisyon, Advocacy For Teacher Empowerment Through Action, Cooperation And Harmony Towards Educational Reforms (A TEACHER) and Butil Farmers Party.

Their proclamation entitles them to have a seat each in the House of Representatives.

The three organizations were among the 11 party-list groups, whose proclamation was deferred last May 31 due to pending cases filed against them and/or their nominees.

“The issue of disqualification of party-list nominees does not pertain to the qualification of an organization to participate in the party-list system of representation and should, therefore, not affect the entitlement of party-list organization to guaranteed additional seats,” Resolution 10-025 stated.

A TEACHER had 614,725 votes; BUTIL, 506,703; and 1-UTAK, 220,002.

But the commission said the petition concerning their nominees will not be automatically shelved as they will still have to be resolved by the en banc.

The first nominees of both A TEACHER and 1-UTAK, namely Mariano Piamonte and Angelo Reyes, respectively, are facing disqualification cases while Butil’s nominees have yet to be cleared.

The number of seats so far occupied by party-list nominees has reached 36 out of the 57 allotted to them in the House. A party list can occupy no more than three seats. The law says that a party list group that receives at least 2 percent of the total votes cast is entitled to a congressional seat, will have additional seats if it exceeds the 2%.

The Comelec reviously proclaimed 28 winning organizations in the party-list race last May 31 and awarded them 33 seats.

Eight other party-list organizations are facing petitions to cancel their registrations.

These are Ako Bicol Political Party (AKO BICOL), Buhay Hayaan Yumabong (BUHAY), First Consumers Alliance for Rural Energy (1-CARE), Citizen’s Battle Against Corruption (CIBAC), LPG Marketers Association, Infc, Ang Asosasyon Sang Mangunguma Nga Bisaya-Owa Mangunguma, Inc. , Association Of Philippine Electric Cooperatives, and Alliance For Nationalism And Democracy. –Joel E. Zurbano, Manila Standard Today