ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio yesterday urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to give the public freer access to records submitted by organizations wishing to participate in the 2013 party-list elections because as it is, their system is prone to corruption and abuse.
“The people can help Comelec weed out bogus party-lists, but they have to be armed with information which, right now, is mostly in the hands of Comelec. If these information are hidden from the public then bogus party-lists can slip into Congress more easily,” Tinio said.
The poll body earlier had vowed to rid the final list of organizations which do not legitimately represent marginalized sectors. However, those who wish to aid in the purging are usually frustrated in the earliest stages since they cannot even get from Comelec copies of relevant records.
Tinio cited Comelec’s irregular application of its rules on securing Petitions for Registration, Manifestations of Intent and accompanying documents. Resolution 9366 ensures the availability of these records to the public, subject to reasonable rules.
Tinio said the public accepts as reasonable some restrictions like letters of request and nominal photocopying fees. Lengthy processes and requirements unequally imposed are not.
“Genuine members of organizations who truly represent marginalized sectors are in the best position to tell which among those who filed their Petitions and Manifestations are fake,” Tinio said. “They can, for example, confirm to Comelec that this group’s track record proves that it has actually worked against their sector’s interest, or that person is not really a member of their sector or has never advocated for them.”
Tinio added Comelec is duty-bound to respect the people’s right to information. He also stressed that the people should be able to exercise this right as soon as possible — before Comelec’s own deliberations close.
Tinio also urged the Comelec to reconsider the P10,000 fee for filing of petitions for disqualification of party-lists and nominees. –Charlie V. Manalo, Daily Tribune
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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