P-Noy allies urged to back off from party-list system

MANILA, Philippines - Poll watchdog Kontra Daya yesterday urged President Aquino not to allow his allies to make a mockery of the party-list system, which is reserved for the marginalized sectors.

The group’s convenor, Fr. Joe Dizon, said that personalities behind some party-list groups are not marginalized and have strong ties with the Aquino government.

“For the sake of the integrity and credibility of the party-list system, the President should tell his allies, who are not marginalized and in fact well-entrenched in government, to back off from the party-list system,” he added.

Among the President’s allies identified by the group were former Cavite Rep. Plaridel Abaya, first nominee of Abante Retirees party-list and father of Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya; and Jorge Banal, first nominee of Alliance of Mindanao elders and father of Liberal Party stalwart Bolet Banal.

According to Dizon, the Black and White Movement, another group closely identified with Aquino, is also seeking accreditation with the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Its first nominee is Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) member Leah Navarro.

Kontra Daya believes the movement no longer needs representation because it is “already overrepresented” in the Aquino administration.

The other known members of the movement are presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda, Social and Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman and peace adviser Ging Deles.

President Aquino’s aunt, former Tarlac governor Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco, is the first nominee of Aksyon Magsasaka-Tinig ng Masa.

“It would be helpful to the Comelec if the President sends a message to his allies for them to stop making a mockery of the party-list system. If these groups and personalities back out, that would make Comelec’s job of cleaning the party-list system easier. If the President remains quiet, it means he is tolerating the activities of his allies” Dizon said.

Meanwhile, members of the Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM), a certified political party of the marginalized sectors, yesterday held a rally in front of the Comelec to jumpstart the campaign against bogus party-list (bopal) and “epal” or traditional politicians who use government funds for publicity.

The group asked the poll body not to allow party-list groups that do not really represent the marginalized sectors to participate in the 2013 mid-term elections.

“The party-list system is designed to enable the marginalized and underrepresented sectors to secure a seat in Congress, which has long been monopolized by traditional parties and clans,” PLC chairman Sonny Melencio said.

“While we appreciate Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes’ move against bopal, we ask that the process of disqualification be open and transparent to prevent the exclusion of genuine party-lists in the certification,” he said. – With Sandy Araneta