Group calls for manual recount citing massive disenfranchisement

CEBU, Philippines — The Makabayan Bloc, composed of four progressive party-list groups, staged a protest in front of the Cebu Provincial Capitol on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, to denounce what they described as “massive disenfranchisement” during the recent midterm elections.

The coalition—comprising Gabriela, ACT Teachers, Bayan Muna, and Kabataan Partylist—called for a manual recount of ballots, citing irregularities in the electronic vote transmission and alleged cases of voter suppression across the country.

Kabataan Partylist Central Visayas spokesperson Jose Paulo Echavez expressed concern over reported discrepancies in vote counting.

“Naka-record mi’g instances diri sa Cebu wherein naay volunteer sa Kabataan Partylist iyahang gi-shade ang Kabataan, ang nigawas sa election receipt kay PBBM na Partylist,” said Echavez.

He also reported that in some precincts, particularly those without automated counting machines (ACMs), voters were asked to hand over their ballots to election officers who then brought them into a separate room for feeding.

Citing findings from election watchdog KontraTikas, Echavez noted there were over 5,000 reported election anomalies nationwide, with around 1,000 verified cases.

The bloc is urging the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to conduct a manual recount alongside electronic transmission to ensure both accuracy and integrity in the electoral process.

Dya Gumanao, sixth nominee of ACT Teachers Partylist, criticized the conduct of the elections, saying they were increasingly controlled by elites and entrenched political families.

“This election has become an exercise dominated by the wealthy, political dynasties, and those who hold great power,” Gumanao said.

She added that this reality contradicts the original purpose of the party-list system, which is to give marginalized sectors a genuine voice in Congress.

Jaime Paglinawan, chairman of AMA Sugbo KMU, condemned what he described as red-tagging and the spread of fake news targeting progressive organizations. He also renewed calls to dismantle political dynasties.

“Mga pamilya na ang sa position—Mayor, Congressman, mga ibat-ibang position sa LGU,” said Paglinawan, pointing to families that occupy multiple posts across local and national levels.

He emphasized that the party-list system should be reserved for genuinely marginalized groups, not those backed by wealth or political clout.

Echavez also issued a reminder to newly elected officials to honor the commitments they made during the campaign.

“Please please please carry the interest of the people who elected you in the first place,” he said.

“You were not put in place kay kamo mismo ang pwede modagan or kamo mismo ang pwede mobuhat sa bisan unsa na activities,” he added.

Paglinawan warned that failing to fulfill campaign promises could further alienate elected officials from their constituents.

The group also criticized the alleged use of public funds to influence voter behavior during the campaign period. –/FPL (FREEMAN)