Akbayan’s fate hangs; 3 groups get Comelec nod

MANILA, Philippines - The fate of Akbayan, which is allied with the Aquino administration, remains hanging even as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has accredited three more party-list groups to run in the 2013 polls.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes announced yesterday that the poll body granted accreditation to three groups after lengthy deliberation.

“The only announcement that I will make is we granted the accreditation for the three groups... Our position is unanimous in granting them,” Brillantes said.

Brillantes identified the three groups included in the list of accredited party-list organizations as Piston Land Transport Coalition Inc. (PISTON), Aagapay sa Matatanda, Inc. (AMA), and Ating Agapay Sentrong Samahan ng mga Obrero, Inc. (AASENSO).

The PISTON nominees are: George San Mateo, Edilberto Arcena Gonzaga, Edgardo Anas Salarda, Rolando Mingo, Eduardo Ferreras, and Modesto Floranda.

The AMA nominees are: Ricardo Agapito, Agustin Dizon, Feliciano Rosete, Linda Gaddi-David, Alberto Santos, Lorenzo Rigonan, Ruperto Eugenio, Juan Roldan, Zoilo Abenoja, and Josue Mora.

The nominees of AASENSO are: Teodoro Montoro, Robert Ganzon, Samuel Bumangil, Eladio Gatmaitan, and Marcelo Soriano.

The Comelec said the three groups would be included in the official ballots for the party-list race.

The Comelec earlier approved the accreditation of Ang Nars Inc. (ANG NARS) and the Pilipinos With Disabilities (PWD).

Brillantes said the Comelec has yet to decide on the fate of the controversial Akbayan party-list group.

He said the commissioners remained divided on Akbayan’s qualification to run in the party-list polls next year.

“We are having long debates on the Akbayan case and we remain divided,” said Brillantes.

He said the issue has been voted upon, but the results are yet to be finalized.

“The only final voting is when we write it down and sign (the resolution),” said Brillantes.