ANAD Party-list seeks Belmonte’s help

CEBU, Philippines - Malicious, capricious, arbitrary, and gross violation of the constitutional provision on due process and equal protection is how the Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy Party-list described its disqualification by the Commission on Elections.

Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. recently announced the finality of the disqualification of ANAD and four other party-list groups.

“His actions were deliberate, calibrated, and with no other intent but to take out ANAD from among the sitting party-list groups in Congress,” said the group’s representative Pastor “Jun” Alcover.

Alcover also called on House Speaker Sonny Belmonte to extend to ANAD the same support and intervention he gave to the Senior Citizens Party-list.

Belmonte asked the Comelec to reconsider the disqualification of Senior Citizens Party-list and declare it as among the top party-list group winners in the May 2013 elections.

Alcover pointed out several serious flaws and omissions committed by the Comelec. He said that Brillantes’ announcement to media on the disqualification of 12 party-list groups last May 6 was not supported by any en banc resolution.

It took the Comelec until May 11, 2013 to come up with a signed en banc resolution on the issue.

But ANAD only received a copy of the resolution on May 15, 2013.

“When he makes pronouncements not backed-up by any legitimate document, particularly an en banc resolution, isn’t chair Brillantes acting like a demigod? It seems his word is the law,” said Alcover.

Alcover added that it is not only ANAD but the hundreds of thousands of rebel returnees, families of victims of terrorism, and simple civilians who stand committed to peace and freedom that was devastated by the Comelec decision.

“The road doesn’t end here. We will make use of every legal remedy available to get back any ‘lost ground’ and continue with our fight for our country and people. We shall even push this with more vigor when Speaker Belmonte shall extend us his support in our quest for justice and fairness,” Alcover added.—(FREEMAN)