SC stops Comelec from denying two more party-list groups accreditation

FILE PHOTO Facade of the Supreme Court main building. (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) en banc has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to deny the accreditation of two party lists in next year’s polls.

The party-list groups, in their petition, had asked the high court to review the decision of the Comelec dismissing their petition for registration as a party-list group, and in denying the latter’s motion for reconsideration.”

In two separate orders posted on Twitter on Thursday, the SC granted the petition for TRO sought by Ang Programang Aasenso Taumbayan – Dream, Act, Participate and Advocate for Sustainable Transformation (Apat-Dapat), and Ugyon Mangunguma, Mangingisda Kag Mamumugon Nga Ilonggo (Uma Ilonggo).

“Whereas, considering the allegations contained, the issues raised and the arguments adduced in the Petition, it is necessary and proper to (require) the respondent to (comment) on the petition within a non-extendible period of ten (1) days from notice thereof, … (and) grant  the prayer for the issuance of a TRO to enjoin the Comelec from enforcing its assailed Order and Resolution,” the SC ruled.

The high court previously issued TROs on the Comelec’s decision to disqualify five party-list groups, namely Ang Tinig ng Seniors, Lingkud Bayanihan Party, and Mindanao Indigenous Peoples Conference for Peace and Development, Igorot Warriors International, Inc. and Alliance for Resilience, Sustainability and Empowerment.

These party-list groups are among the 107 groups whose applications for registration were rejected by the poll body.

EDV