Sen Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) decision declaring the Nacionalista Party (NP) as the dominant minority party for the midterm elections was “unacceptable” and “runs counter to democracy,” Liberal Party stalwart Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan decried Friday, adding that they would question this before the Supreme Court (SC).
On Thursday, the Comelec declared Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III’s Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) as the dominant majority party and former Sen. Manny Villar’s NP as the dominant minority party.
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said the decision was based on the “number of candidates being fielded” and “the number of positions occupied as incumbents.”
READ: Comelec declares PDP-Laban as dominant majority party; NP as dominant minority
“How can that happen when PDP and NP are both allied with the administration? How can they be both majority and minority?” Pangilinan, who also serves as Otso Diretso’s campaign manager, asked. “This is absolutely unacceptable. We oppose this. We will oppose [this] before the Supreme Court. No retreat. Never surrender.”
“Honorable Commissioners, your decision runs counter to democracy. Runs counter to the basic tenets of fair play. Runs counter to common sense. Incredible. You chose to deny the existence of the opposition and gave all the privileges to the administration,” he added
The senator also warned the Comelec from becoming a “tool” of the Duterte administration in “trampling on our political rights and mangling our democracy.”
The release of the decision just four days before the May 13 midterm elections could also be a deliberate attempt to prevent LP from appealing the move, Pangilinan hinted. /jpv