MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections has no choice but to remove the Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) from its list of accredited party-list organizations, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes reported yesterday.
“They missed their chance to justify their continued accreditation. None of its officers, members or even lawyers showed up in our hearing,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a House budget hearing.
AGP is the party-list group of Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, elder son of former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Brillantes said each of the 127 accredited groups were asked to present evidence to justify their accreditation and participation in the May 2013 elections.
Because of time constraints, each organization was given only one chance to appear in the Comelec hearings and submit evidence like proof of meetings, accomplishments and list of officers, he said.
“Out of the 127, only AGP did not show up when its turn came. If you do not show up, we will assume that you are not interested and we will disqualify you,” he added.
He pointed out that since the 127 were accredited by the previous Comelec leadership, the hearings the poll body is conducting “are part of the disqualification proceedings.”
Responding to questions, Brillantes said Mikey Arroyo’s group could ask for another hearing.
“But I don’t think we will grant it,” he said.
He also said AGP has not nominated Arroyo, who is now on his third term as a member of the House of Representatives.
Arroyo served his first two terms as representative of Pampanga’s second district before giving way to his mother in the May 2010 elections.
Mrs. Arroyo sought her son’s congressional seat while she was still president. She stepped down on June 30, 2010 after nine years as president.
As to whether Mikey Arroyo is covered by the three-term limit prescribed by the Constitution for House members, Brillantes said the question was not relevant since the former president’s son is not a nominee of his party-list group.
If he were nominated, he said the Comelec would have to decide whether the three-term limit applies to him.
However, he said it is the Supreme Court that could finally resolve such an issue.
As for the Comelec budget, Brillantes told an appropriations subcommittee chaired by Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. that the Comelec has sufficient funds for the 2013 elections.
“We have enough funds for next year’s elections, including the October voting for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, if it is not postponed,” he said.
He added Budget Secretary Florencio Abad has assured them of the timely release of the funds they need. –Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star)
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