SC overturns Comelec order disqualifying senior citizens partylist

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed the May 10 resolution of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) disqualifying the Senior Citizens partylist group.

Voting 15-0, the high court through Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo De Castro noted that the term-sharing agreement which was used as basis by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for disqualifying the group was never implemented and still “the group had been unfairly and arbitrarily penalized by the Comelec En Banc.”

“There was, hence, no violation of an election law, rule or regulation to speak of. Clearly, the disqualification of Senior Citizens and the cancellation of its registration and accreditation have no legal leg to stand on,” High Court Information Chief Theodore Te said at a press conference.

He said the high court has found that “the due process violations committed in this case and the lack of legal ground indicate grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of the Comelec En Banc.”

Comelec has already reserved a seat for the Senior Citizens upon orders of the high court.