Comelec investigates alleged bribery racket on party-lists’ accreditation

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes on Wednesday disclosed they are investigating existing party-lists’ practice of selling their nominations to unaccredited party lists.

He was reacting to Bayan Muna Representatives Neri Colmenares and Teddy Casiño’s filing of House Resolution 2472, which seeks to probe reports of alleged bribery of Comelec officials in exchange for accreditation.

The issue was the other way around, he said, defending Comelec officials, pointing out that if people would believe the lawmakers’ claim, the erring party-lists seeking accreditation would have to pay several officers to get what they want.

He said the idea of Comelec officers being bribed for accreditation was very unlikely.

The Comelec chief believes that the sale was happening on the level of the party-lists as accredited ones had the right to nominate candidates.

This scheme allows party-lists seeking to enter the upcoming elections to not have to go through Comelec’s stringent accreditation process.

There are 125 accredited party-list groups and Comelec is gearing to screen some 172 groups seeking to participate in the 2013 mid-term polls.

Brillantes said they will be strict in their selection.