Akbayan Party has condemned the en banc decision of the Comelec to withhold the names of party-list nominees, calling it an attempt to coddle dubious personalities who wish to sneak into the House of Representatives through the party-list system.
In a picket in front of the Comelec office, Akbayan members denounced what it called
“an undisguised and shameless attempt to protect groups fronting for the administration.”
“The decision gives sanctuary to groups whose participation in the party-list system clearly violates the law and the spirit of party-list representation,” Akbayan Party-list said.
“Suprisingly, the en banc took the position of Atty. Alioden Dalaig of the Law Department. Commissioner Borra earlier said that the list is a public document and should be divulged by the Comelec. Their dilly-dallying and this lame decision raise more questions on the capacity of the body to be an independent institution,” Akbayan lamented.
Akbayan said that contrary to the claims of the Comelec, hiding the names of party-list nominees would actually confuse voters further. “What would actually confuse the voters is this bastardization of the party-list system since it dilutes the spirit of giving representation to the marginalized and under-represented. If the Comelec truly wants to avoid confusion, then it should promptly weed out questionable party-lists and uphold the essence of this system,” the group said.
Akbayan challenged the “questionable” party-lists to bare the names of their nominees. “If they believe that they did not violate the party-list law, then they should come forward and publicly declare the names of their nominees,” Akbayan said.
The group said that it will bring the question before the Supreme Court.
“This unfortunate development only proves that the Comelec willingly inflicts upon itself questions on its credibility and integrity. We doubt if it still has the capacity to resolve this controversy,” Akbayan said.
