MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has been swamped with disqualification cases and other electoral protests a few days after the country held its first automated elections.
The most prominent among the disqualification petitions lodged was against President Arroyo’s eldest son and outgoing Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo.
In a 19-page petition, party-list group Bayan Muna asked the Comelec to reconsider a previous ruling junking two disqualification cases filed against the younger Arroyo, who is seeking a seat as party-list nominee of Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP), a group representing security guards.
‘Ruling contradicts law’
Bayan Muna said the Comelec’s second division ruling contradicted the party-list law as well as the Comelec resolution to weed out unqualified party-list nominees.
“To allow Arroyo to run is contrary to law which provides that party-list is only for the underrepresented. Thus his participation would corrupt the party-list system,” Bayan Muna said.
Arroyo qualified
Earlier, the Comelec second division ruled that Arroyo “is qualified to be AGP’s nominee since he belongs to the said organization.”
The Comelec said Arroyo became a member of the AGP on Nov. 20, 2009 and since then has “actively participated in its undertakings and adhered to its advocacies” such as the AGP National Convention; Butil Palay para sa Kaunlaran Project; annual Christmas party; Lubao Delta Riders Uniforms and Mike Delta Force Uniforms.
Death knell
However, Bayan Muna insisted that allowing Arroyo to run would serve as a “death knell” to the party-list system.
The group then called on the poll body to reconsider a previous ruling and to suspend Arroyo’s proclamation if his party wins the elections.
Aside from the Bayan Muna petition, a number of disqualification cases and petitions for suspension of proclamation and declaration of failure of elections are now piling up in the Comelec.
A Comelec employee said disqualification complaints and other electoral protests started to swamp the poll body a day after the May 10 automated elections.
“Even on election day, we have received complaints for disqualification of certain local candidates,” the employee said.
Most of the complaints came from losing candidates in local elections.
The Comelec, on the other hand, was also asked to declare failure of elections in several municipalities in Abra, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao. –Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
October –
Monthly Observances:
Industry and Commerce Safety Month
National Statistics Month
Local Government Month
Consumer Welfare Month
Cooperative Month
National Quality and Productivity Improvement Month
National Health and Wellness Tourism Month
National Indigenous Peoples Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Elderly Filipino Week
Week 2: National Health Education Week
Local Government Week
National Mental Health Week
October 17-23:
National Week for Overcoming Extreme Poverty
October 18 – 24:
United Nations Week
Last Week:
Nurses’ Week
Consumers’ Protection Week
Week of the 4th Sunday:
Barrio Farmers’ Week
Daily Observances:
First Monday (Oct 4): Universal Children’s Day i
n the Philippines
Oct 5: National Teachers’ Day
Oct 10: Local Government Day
Third Thursday (Oct 14): Conflict Resolution Day
Oct 21: Tenants’ Emancipation day
Oct 24: United Nations Day
Oct 29: National Indigenous People’s Thanksgiving Day
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
